Cauliflower Buffalo Wings offer a delightful twist on a much-beloved classic. Crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, each bite delivers a burst of bold spicy flavor. Perfect for sharing with friends and family during lively gatherings, these wings spark unforgettable culinary adventures that celebrate flavor and healthy innovation.
I’ve always been on the lookout for quick and healthy vegan recipes and these Air Fryer Cauliflower Buffalo Wings really surprised me. I started out with a medium head cauliflower cut into bite-size florets then mixed it with a simple batter of 1/2 cup all purpose flour, 1/2 cup water, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper.
Once I tossed them into the airfryer, the florets turned perfectly crispy on the outside while staying tender inside. I then coated them with 1/2 cup buffalo sauce and drizzled 2 tablespoons melted vegan butter over the top which gave them a serious spicy kick.
I know there are plenty of air fryer dinner recipes out there but nothing hits quite like these, especially if youre into that keto Buffalo cauliflower vibe. Give it a try and let your taste buds have some fun!
Why I Like this Recipe
I really like this recipe because it gives me that perfect crispy outside while the inside stays tender and flavorful. I also dig how easy it is to make in the air fryer – it’s super simple to prep and cook, even when i’m in a rush. Another reason i like it is that its a much healthier alternative to traditional wings, plus the vegan twist makes it feel a bit more special. Lastly, i love the kick from the buffalo sauce mixed with a little vegan butter, it makes every bite super tasty even if it leaves my mouth a bit on fire sometimes!
Ingredients
- Cauliflower supplies fiber and key vitamins, givin a crisp bite to engage you.
- All purpose flour provides carbs and acts as a binder for a tasty coating.
- Buffalo sauce brings a tangy, spicy kick that electrifies your taste buds.
- Vegan butter melts into the sauce addin creaminess and a rich finish.
- Garlic powder ups the flavor, addin a savory punch to the overall mix.
- Smoked paprika gives a warm, smoky note that enhances aroma and color.
- Water creates a smooth batter consistency, easily binding all ingredients together.
- Salt elevates the flavor by balancing and intensifying every spicy element there.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (add more if you like extra spice)
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
How to Make this
1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, water, garlic powder, salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper until you get a smooth batter.
3. Add the cauliflower florets to the bowl and toss them in the batter until they are well coated.
4. Arrange the coated florets in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
5. Air fry the cauliflower for about 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to help them cook evenly.
6. In another bowl, combine the buffalo sauce with the melted vegan butter.
7. Once the cauliflower is crispy, transfer it into the bowl with the buffalo sauce mixture.
8. Toss the cauliflower until all pieces are evenly coated with the sauce.
9. Return the sauced cauliflower back into the air fryer and cook for an extra 5 minutes so the sauce sets a bit.
10. Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately while it’s hot and crispy. Enjoy your vegan buffalo wings!
Equipment Needed
1. Air fryer with basket
2. Large mixing bowl for batter
3. Another small bowl for buffalo sauce mixture
4. Measuring cups and spoons
5. Whisk or spoon for mixing
6. Knife and cutting board for prepping cauliflower
7. Spatula or tongs for tossing the cauliflower in sauce
8. Serving plate for the finished dish
FAQ
Air Fryer Cauliflower Buffalo Wings Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of all purpose flour, you can use chickpea flour or a gluten free flour blend for a slightly nuttier taste.
- If you dont have water, almond milk or any other nondairy milk works pretty fine – just keep in mind it might add a touch of flavor.
- Out of garlic powder? You can blend a clove of fresh garlic with a pinch of salt and a bit of water to make a paste instead.
- If you’re low on buffalo sauce, try using Frank’s RedHot or your favorite hot sauce mixed with a little extra melted vegan butter to get that tangy kick.
- For the vegan butter, a good substitute is olive oil or melted coconut oil, though the flavor might be a bit different.
Pro Tips
1. Make sure every single floret is fully coated in the batter so you dont end up with some pieces that are less crispy than others.
2. Dont skip shaking the basket at the half-way point – it really helps the cauliflower cook evenly and stay nice and crunch.
3. If you like it extra spicy, feel free to add a bit more buffalo sauce but be careful cuz too much might make it soggy.
4. For an even crispier texture, try patting the florets dry with paper towels before battering them.
Air Fryer Cauliflower Buffalo Wings Recipe
Cauliflower Buffalo Wings offer a delightful twist on a much-beloved classic. Crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, each bite delivers a burst of bold spicy flavor. Perfect for sharing with friends and family during lively gatherings, these wings spark unforgettable culinary adventures that celebrate flavor and healthy innovation.
4
servings
160
kcal
Equipment: 1. Air fryer with basket
2. Large mixing bowl for batter
3. Another small bowl for buffalo sauce mixture
4. Measuring cups and spoons
5. Whisk or spoon for mixing
6. Knife and cutting board for prepping cauliflower
7. Spatula or tongs for tossing the cauliflower in sauce
8. Serving plate for the finished dish
Ingredients
-
1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets
-
1/2 cup all purpose flour
-
1/2 cup water
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1/2 teaspoon salt
-
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
-
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
-
1/2 cup buffalo sauce (add more if you like extra spice)
-
2 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
Directions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- In a bowl, mix the flour, water, garlic powder, salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper until you get a smooth batter.
- Add the cauliflower florets to the bowl and toss them in the batter until they are well coated.
- Arrange the coated florets in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
- Air fry the cauliflower for about 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to help them cook evenly.
- In another bowl, combine the buffalo sauce with the melted vegan butter.
- Once the cauliflower is crispy, transfer it into the bowl with the buffalo sauce mixture.
- Toss the cauliflower until all pieces are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Return the sauced cauliflower back into the air fryer and cook for an extra 5 minutes so the sauce sets a bit.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately while it's hot and crispy. Enjoy your vegan buffalo wings!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 250g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 160kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 1g
- Monounsaturated: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 450mg
- Potassium: 450mg
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Vitamin A: 500IU
- Vitamin C: 40mg
- Calcium: 40mg
- Iron: 1mg
