Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (Printer-friendly)

Spicy, crispy cauliflower florets coated in tangy buffalo sauce. Healthier game day snack or appetizer. Easy to make.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

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

→ Batter

02 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/2 cup water
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Sauce

09 - 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

→ Optional for Serving

11 - 1/4 cup blue cheese or ranch dressing
12 - Celery sticks
13 - Carrot sticks

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, water, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
03 - Add cauliflower florets to the batter, tossing to coat evenly.
04 - Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange battered cauliflower in a single layer, working in batches if necessary.
05 - Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crisp.
06 - Meanwhile, mix buffalo sauce and melted butter in a separate bowl.
07 - Once the cauliflower is crisp, transfer to a large bowl and toss with buffalo sauce until well coated.
08 - Return to the air fryer for an additional 3-5 minutes for extra crispiness.
09 - Serve immediately with dressing, celery, and carrot sticks if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These crispy bites give you all that buffalo wing satisfaction without the guilt, and your non-vegetarian friends will be sneaking them off your plate.
  • The air fryer creates the perfect texture that oven-baked versions simply cannot match – crispy exterior with tender cauliflower inside.
02 -
  • Overcrowding your air fryer is the enemy of crispiness – work in batches if necessary, even if your stomach is growling impatiently.
  • The batter should be the consistency of pancake batter – if it's too thick, add water a tablespoon at a time, and if it's too thin, add a sprinkle more flour.
03 -
  • After tossing the cauliflower in batter, let any excess drip off for 30 seconds before placing in the air fryer – this prevents pooling and ensures maximum crispiness.
  • A quick spritz of oil on the battered cauliflower just before air frying helps achieve that golden-brown color that makes everyone reach for seconds.