Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
These are the vegetable answer to buffalo wings: tender cauliflower in a crisp panko shell, tossed in tangy hot sauce just before serving. The batter uses plant milk and the sauce uses oil instead of butter, so the bites are vegan as written. A serving comes in at about 230 calories.
Published
- Prep Time
- 20 mins
- Cook Time
- 18 mins
- Total Time
- 38 mins
- Servings
- 4 servings
How do you make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites?
Cut a cauliflower into 3-4 cm florets, dip them in a batter of flour, plant milk and garlic powder, then roll in panko rubbed with 1 tbsp oil. Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 14-16 minutes, turning halfway, until golden. Toss in 60 ml (1/4 cup) hot sauce warmed with 1 tbsp oil and serve straight away with celery.
- Total time
- 38 mins
- Calories
- 230 per serving
- Protein
- 7.5 g
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Method
- Air frying
Ingredients
Cauliflower
Batter
Coating
Buffalo sauce
Equipment
Air fryer · 2 mixing bowls · Shallow bowl · Whisk · Small microwave-safe bowl
Quick Directions
Prep the cauliflower
Cut the cauliflower into florets about 3-4 cm (1 1/2 inches) across, keeping them close in size so they cook evenly.
Make the batter
Whisk the flour, plant milk, garlic powder, smoked paprika and salt in a large bowl until smooth.
Coat the florets
In a shallow bowl, rub the oil into the panko with your fingertips until evenly moistened.
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
Toss in buffalo sauce
Warm the hot sauce, olive oil and garlic powder in a small bowl in the microwave for 20 seconds and stir.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to make the perfect air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites.
Prep the cauliflower
Cut the cauliflower into florets about 3-4 cm (1 1/2 inches) across, keeping them close in size so they cook evenly. If you rinse them, dry them well with a clean towel.
Make the batter
Whisk the flour, plant milk, garlic powder, smoked paprika and salt in a large bowl until smooth. It should coat a spoon like thick pancake batter; whisk in another 1-2 tbsp milk if it is too stiff.
Coat the florets
In a shallow bowl, rub the oil into the panko with your fingertips until evenly moistened. Toss the florets in the batter, let the excess drip off, then roll them in the panko until coated.
Air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Arrange the florets in a single layer, working in two batches if your basket is small, and air fry for 14-16 minutes, turning them halfway, until golden and a knife slides easily into the stems.
Toss in buffalo sauce
Warm the hot sauce, olive oil and garlic powder in a small bowl in the microwave for 20 seconds and stir. Toss the hot florets in the sauce in a large bowl and serve straight away with celery sticks and ranch for dipping.
Recipe Tips
- Sauce the bites just before serving. The coating starts to soften about 10 minutes after the sauce goes on.
- For a stickier, less saucy finish, return the sauced bites to the air fryer for 2 minutes.
- Some breadcrumbs contain milk and some bottled buffalo sauces contain butter, so check both labels if you are cooking for vegans.
- Hot sauces vary a lot in heat and salt. For a milder sauce, stir in 1 tsp maple syrup.
Variations
- Gluten-free: use chickpea flour in the batter and gluten-free panko or crushed cornflakes for the coating, checking every label.
- Barbecue cauliflower: toss the cooked bites in 80 ml (1/3 cup) barbecue sauce instead of the buffalo sauce.
- Lighter bites: skip the panko and air fry the battered florets for 12-14 minutes. They are softer but still well browned.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 230 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7.5 g |
| Carbs | 32 g |
| Fat | 8.5 g |
| Saturated fat | 1 g |
| Fibre | 4.5 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 860 mg |
Estimated from the listed ingredients; values vary by brand.
Related Recipes
Storing & Reheating
- Fridge
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The coating softens in the fridge.
- Reheat
- Reheat in the air fryer at 190°C (375°F) for 4-5 minutes until hot and the edges crisp up again.
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites FAQs
How do you make buffalo cauliflower crispy in the air fryer?
Coat the florets in a thick batter and then panko rubbed with a little oil, cook them in a single layer at 200°C (400°F), and add the sauce only at the end. Saucing before cooking makes the coating soggy.
How long do cauliflower bites take in the air fryer?
Battered and breaded florets about 3-4 cm across take 14-16 minutes at 200°C (400°F). Turn them halfway. They are done when the coating is golden and a knife slides easily into the stems.
Are buffalo cauliflower bites vegan?
This recipe is vegan as written, because it uses plant milk in the batter and oil in the sauce. Classic buffalo sauce is made with butter, and ranch and blue cheese dips contain dairy, so choose plant-based versions and check panko labels for milk.
Can I make buffalo cauliflower ahead of time?
Yes. Air fry the coated florets up to 1 day ahead, cool and refrigerate them unsauced. Re-crisp them at 200°C (400°F) for 4-5 minutes, then toss in the warm sauce just before serving.
Disclaimer
- Nutrition information is an estimate based on the listed ingredients. It changes with the brands, portion sizes and swaps you use.
- Read ingredient labels for allergens and for diet claims such as gluten-free or vegan. Products and their ingredients can change.
- Cooking times are a guide, since ovens, air fryers and slow cookers all run differently. Use a food thermometer and cook meat, poultry and fish to the safe internal temperatures in government food safety guidance.
- This recipe is general information, not medical or nutrition advice. If you have an allergy, a health condition or a special diet, check with a qualified health professional.
