Crispy Air-Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower (Printable)

Crunchy cauliflower florets tossed in spicy buffalo sauce for a flavorful snack or appetizer.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets

→ Batter

02 - ¾ cup all-purpose flour
03 - ½ cup water
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Coating

09 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

→ Buffalo Sauce

10 - ⅓ cup hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
12 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat air-fryer to 400°F or oven to 425°F. If using oven, line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
03 - Add cauliflower florets to the batter and toss to completely coat each piece.
04 - Dredge each battered floret in panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure adhesion.
05 - Place coated florets in a single layer in the air-fryer basket or on the prepared baking tray.
06 - Air-fry for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking halfway through, or bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once, until golden and crisp.
07 - Combine hot sauce, melted butter, and honey or maple syrup (if using) in a small bowl.
08 - Transfer cooked florets to a large bowl. Pour buffalo sauce over and toss to evenly coat.
09 - Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste like indulgent bar food but you're actually eating a whole head of cauliflower without noticing.
  • The air-fryer makes them ridiculously crispy without drowning them in oil.
  • Everyone fights over the last few bites, even people who claim they don't like cauliflower.
02 -
  • If your cauliflower is wet, the batter will slide right off—pat the florets completely dry with a towel before you start.
  • Don't toss them in sauce until the very last second or they'll lose that crispy texture you worked so hard to get.
03 -
  • Press the panko onto each floret firmly—it makes all the difference between a coating that sticks and one that falls off.
  • Shake the air-fryer basket halfway through cooking so every side gets crispy, not just the bottom.
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