Prep: 10 Easy to make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites that are tangy, perfectly sweet, spicy, savory, and just so DELICIOUS! This addictive side dish, snack, or appetizer is an all-time favorite. Every bite is full of flavor! You’ll love how quick and simple this wholesome recipe is.
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower – SO Good!
If you have an air fryer and some cauliflower on hand, you absolutely HAVE to make these Air Fried Buffalo Cauliflower Bites! Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and loaded with flavor. Think buffalo wings (or chicken wings), but vegetarian and full of nutrition! There’s an option for using store-bought buffalo sauce (opens in a new tab) or making your own, they only take about 12-15 minutes a batch, and they’re incredibly yummy.
You can also adjust the spicy level to your own personal taste! Whether you’re serving them as a wholesome side dish, a bite-sized appetizer, or a veggie-loaded snack, these buffalo cauliflower bites are a recipe you’ll definitely want to keep on repeat.
RELATED: Instant Pot Air Fryer Review
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Ingredients
The ingredients for this recipe really come down to 3 simple components: the cauliflower, the buffalo sauce, and the toppings and/or sauces. Here’s what you’ll need for Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower!
Cauliflower
This recipe works best with fresh cauliflower (not frozen). Feel free to use pre-cut fresh cauliflower florets to save even more time!
Homemade Buffalo Sauce
The rest of the ingredients in this recipe make up the homemade buffalo sauce! You’ll need:
- Hot Sauce – any type of hot sauce works great! My favorite is Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, (opens in a new tab) but sriracha, Cholula Hot Sauce, (opens in a new tab) and so many others work wonderfully in this recipe.
- Vegetable Broth
- Apple Cider Vinegar (opens in a new tab)
- Honey – feel free to use honey or agave syrup. (opens in a new tab)
- Minced Garlic – freshly minced garlic or garlic powder are both great options!
- Smoked Paprika – regular paprika works too, but smoked paprika (opens in a new tab) adds a flavor that’s unlike any other!
- Cayenne – adjust or even omit depending on how spicy you want the buffalo sauce.
- Cumin
- Salt/Pepper
Toppings/Sauces
Serve these buffalo cauliflower bites with your favorite toppings or sauces! This recipe calls for a little bit of dried parsley over the bites, but parmesan is another delicious addition. You can also serve with a delicious creamy dipping sauce. A few of my personal favorites include:
- 10-Minute Healthy Ranch Dressing
- Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing
- Creamy Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe
How to Make Air Fried Buffalo Cauliflower
Making buffalo cauliflower in the air fryer is quick and easy! Here’s how to make it happen in no time at all:
- Whisk together the buffalo sauce ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- Soak the cauliflower in the sauce.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F.
- Place a single layer of the buffalo cauliflower bites in the air fryer basket and air fry for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway.
- Repeat as many batches as needed!
Note: It took me 2 batches in the air fryer for 1 head of cauliflower.
Tips for Buffalo Cauliflower in the Air Fryer
- Add more sauce to the cauliflower when you turn the cauliflower halfway through the cooking process for even more flavor!
- Another option is to use 1 – 1.25 cups store-bought buffalo sauce instead of making your own.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the cauliflower bites in the air fryer, as this prevents them from really getting as crispy as possible!
What to Serve With Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
- With fresh carrots.
- Celery sticks + favorite sauce.
- Put them in a salad!
- On rice.
- Add them to tacos.
- In veggie bowls.
- Add them to wraps.
- Topped with parmesan and parsley.
How to store Air Fried Buffalo Cauliflower
While Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are best served fresh, they can also be refrigerated and reheated for leftovers! These bites last in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days (in an airtight container). To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer for about 5-7 minutes or in the oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until evenly warm.
More Air Fryer Recipes & Side Dishes
- Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini
- Air Fryer Crispy Brussels Sprouts & Bacon
- 10-Minute Protein Loaded Nachos
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Goat Cheese
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to give it a rating below and tag your photos @jar.of.lemons! (opens in a new tab)
Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower (cut into florets)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional, for garnish)
Buffalo Sauce
- 1/3 cup hot sauce (opens in a new tab) (of choice)
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey (or agave)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (opens in a new tab)
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F.
- Cut the cauliflower into small florets.
- Mix together the ingredients for the buffalo sauce in a large bowl.
- Place the cauliflower florets in the buffalo sauce and let them soak for about 3-5 minutes, coating evenly.
- Place a single layer of the cauliflower florets in the air fryer and cook for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.
- Top with fresh or dried parsley and serve with your favorite sauce!
Notes
- Add more sauce to the cauliflower when you turn the cauliflower halfway through the cooking process for even more flavor!
- Another option is to use 1 – 1.25 cups store-bought buffalo sauce instead of making your own.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the cauliflower bites in the air fryer, as this prevents them from really getting as crispy as possible!
Nutrition
Did you make this? I’d love to see!
Tag me on socials at @JarOfLemons (opens in a new tab) or #JarOfLemons (opens in a new tab)
