Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

4.84 from 25 votes

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

The best air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings! Crispy breading on the outside, perfectly tender cauliflower on the inside, and tossed in a delicious homemade buffalo sauce. The outcome is the best appetizer, party food, snack, or side dish that everyone will love. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, paleo, and Whole30 approved.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower, Buffalo Cauliflower, Buffalo Cauliflower Bites, Cauliflower Buffalo Wings

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 274kcal

Author Kelly Nardo

Ingredients

4 heaping cups cauliflower florets (410 grams/about 1/2 a large head)
2 large eggs
3/4 cup almond flour
1/4 cups + 2 tablespoons tapioca flour
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (depending on spice preference)
salt and pepper, to taste
avocado oil
1/2 cup buffalo sauce

Instructions

In a small bowl mix together the almond flour, tapioca flour, chili powder, paprika, cayenne, and salt and pepper. In another small bowl, whisk the eggs. Set up an assembly line with cauliflower florets, eggs, and flour mixture.
Bread the cauliflower by dipping it in the egg mixture, making sure it is fully coated and getting into the nooks and crannies. Roll in the flour mixture, fully coating and shaking off any excess. Place on a plate or large baking sheet and repeat with remaining cauliflower.
Spray the bottom of your air fryer basket with oil (I used avocado oil spray). Place breaded cauliflower in your air fryer basket, evenly spreading out and leaving room in between pieces so the air can easily flow through. Spray cauliflower with a light coating of avocado oil. Close drawer, set air fryer on manual at 375°F for 15 minutes. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will probably have to cook the cauliflower in two batches to make sure they are not overcrowded.
When the cauliflower is almost done, either make or heat up the buffalo sauce.
Once cauliflower is done, add to a large bowl and pour buffalo sauce over cauliflower. Carefully mix to coat the cauliflower. Make sure to mix carefully as you don't want the breading to come off.
Serve with ranch or blue cheese, carrots, celery, and more hot sauce and enjoy!

Notes

skip the breading

if you are tight on time or don't have the breading ingredients, you can skip it if you want. Simply just toss the cauliflower in your buffalo sauce and cook in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees until golden brown.

to pan-fry:

follow this method for this popcorn chicken. All you need to do is add about 3/4-1 cup of oil to a large skillet and let it get hot. Fry the cauliflower in batches, making sure not to overcrowd them. Then just toss in the sauce and you are set!

to bake in the oven:

I haven't tried this, but bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. I would suggest placing the cauliflower on a wire rack on a parchment paper lined baking sheet for even airflow and to help get it crispy. For extra crispiness, broil for a couple of minutes in the end. Then just toss in the buffalo sauce.

Nutrition