These healthy air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites make for an easy and delicious party food appetizer! Whether it’s game day, New Year’s Eve, or you need a crispy snack, you’re sure to love this healthy take on buffalo wings!
Cauliflower! It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite vegetables. And I have my husband to thank for it. I didn’t make cauliflower all that often, until he wanted to try eating low carb.
As a result, we started using cauliflower in some creative and unexpectedly delicious ways. Of course, one of our favorites is roasted cauliflower, but we’ve also tried cauliflower rice, and cauliflower mashed potatoes.
It’s a great vegetable to use when preparing healthy vegetarian or vegan recipes for those who are used to the typical American diet.
Cauliflower is hearty, filling, and can easily take on the flavor of whatever you decide to season it with.
Using Cauliflower to Create Meatless Recipes
One of our favorites is my vegan cauliflower soup. It’s thick and creamy, and just the thing to warm you up on a cold winter day. Keep it heated in a crockpot, and serve at your game day party!
Another one of our simple go-to meals is my vegan cauliflower curry! It’s full of warm spices, and loaded with plant protein. I serve it over brown rice or quinoa.
Then there’s my super easy vegan cauliflower tacos! The cauliflower is roasted, then served with a fresh pico de gallo, and homemade guacamole! They are always a family favorite!
With new year’s eve and then game day creeping up on me this winter, I decided to use this versatile vegetable to create a party food classic! Most everyone loves buffalo wings, so how about buffalo cauliflower bites?
Even easier than making them in the oven, I broke out my air fryer! It creates the perfect crispy texture in no time at all!
I did a test run of this recipe before making it for our at home New Year’s Eve celebration this year, and oh my…they were a HIT!
The husband thought they might be his new favorite way to enjoy cauliflower! They’re a little spicy, nice and crispy, yet melt in your mouth when you take a bite.
I paired them with vegan ranch dressing for a cool and creamy dip to balance the spice.
So, give these air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites a try! They are sure to become one of your new favorite appetizers or vegan party snacks!
Why you’ll love these air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites…
- Crispy on the outside soft on the inside
- Quick and easy to make in the air fryer
- Simple ingredients
- Perfectly spiced
- Pairs nicely with a cool and creamy dressing
- Adjust the sauce and spice level to your taste
Recipe Ingredients and Notes
Head of Cauliflower: You’ll need one whole head of cauliflower. Depending on the size of your cauliflower you may need to add more sauce. Some are bigger than others. I recommend opting for organic cauliflower if possible. I’ve found that it’s not that much more expensive than regular. Cut the cauliflower into small bite sized florets.
Buffalo Sauce: If you’re following a vegan diet, make sure that you buy a vegan buffalo sauce. My favorite is made by Primal Kitchen Most buffalo sauces are already vegan. However, some buffalo sauces have butter, margarine, or honey listed as an ingredient. If you’re not vegan, then this is not problem. I recommend looking for a store bought sauce that has limited ingredients that you can easily read and pronounce and that does not have added preservatives. As an alternative, you can easily make your own buffalo sauce. See the recipe card at the end of this post for ingredients and directions on how to make your own sauce.
Tools and Equipment
Air Fryer: The air fryer is really the perfect kitchen tool to make buffalo cauliflower. Why? It perfectly crisps the outside of the cauliflower, while the inside is cooked until tender. See my tips below for choosing the right air fryer for you if you don’t already have this mind blowing kitchen tool!
Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a good set of mixing bowls to combine the ingredients. One to whisk together the sauce ingredients, and one to toss the cauliflower and sauce together.
Choosing the Best Air Fryer
Why buy an air fryer?
Air fryers help to replicate the crunch and texture of fried foods without the need for a lot of added oil. They are also super great to have on hand when cooking for a large group. The oven can easily get overcrowded, and the air fryer comes in handy when making recipes that require a crispy texture!
They’re also great to use in the summer. No need to heat the whole house with your oven, just use your air fryer.
They also cut down on cooking time in many cases. So you can enjoy your crispy air fried foods sooner.
Cleanup is also super easy with an air fryer. Take out the basket and rinse clean with warm water and soap. Many also have dishwasher safe parts, but be sure to check your brand before putting parts in the dishwasher.
How does an air fryer work?
It’s works like a convection oven. There is a fan at the top of the air fryer that pushes down and swirls the heat around the food in the air fryer basket. This rapid circulation of air creates crispy food!
What to consider when buying an air fryer?
- How big of a basket do you need?
- Do you want preset buttons for particular types of food?
- Do you need any additional special features?
How to choose the right capacity for your needs?
As with all small appliances there is a wide variety to choose from when it comes to air fryers. The most important thing to consider is the size.
Many recipes will call for you to place your food in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If you have a small basket, you will be making batch after batch before all your food is cooked. This can take a lot of extra time!
Consider the size of your family. Are you cooking for one, two, three or more? If you’re only planning to cook for one or two people, a small air fryer will work well. Cooking for a family of three or more, consider a medium size air fryer. If you have a large family, or plan on using it for parties, opt for a large capacity air fryer.
My recommendation is to go with a bigger basket rather than a smaller one. I first got a smaller air fryer because I was curious how it worked, and now wish I had opted for one with a bigger basket!
Best Small Capacity Air Fryer
With a 1.2 quart capacity, this compact Dash air fryer is perfect for small batch cooking. It’s simple to use with an adjustable temperature gauge, and timer. Cleans easily, and has an auto shut off. It’s compact and lightweight, so it won’t take up a lot of extra space in your kitchen.
Best Medium Capacity Air Fryer
The Dash Deluxe air fryer has a 6 quart capacity. It’s larger in size, and takes more counter space. But it’s simple to use, with an adjustable temperature gauge, and timer. It’s also easy to clean!
Best Large Capacity Air Fryer
The Ultrean 8.5 quart air fryer has 7 cooking presets, a large basket, and an easy to use temperature and time control. The large basket will serve 6-8 people. It’s the perfect size for a large family.
Do you need preset buttons?
Just like on your microwave, you can buy air fryers that have preset buttons for particular types of food. If you are planning to cook many recipes that have the preset function such as fries, frozen french fries, nuggets, seafood, steak, then getting an air fryer with preset buttons could be a good option for you. Personally, my air fryer does not have preset buttons, and I manage just fine!
Best Air Fryer with Preset Buttons
My favorite air fryer with presets, that doesn’t have a ton of additional extra features, but still a good size basket is the Cosori Wifi 5.8 quart model. It has 11 presets, but it’s just an air fryer it doesn’t have the functionality to also be an instant pot, or dehydrator. If you’re not planning on using those features, then don’t waste the extra money on them! This is a good all around air fryer, that has a good size basket for most jobs! You can also connect it to your phone, and use voice demand!
What are some additional features you can buy in an air fryer?
Some air fryers are multifunctional. For example, you can buy air fryers that double as a toaster oven, dehydrator, rotisserie, and instant pot. If you are also thinking of getting one of these appliances then getting one with multiple functions will save you money and space! No need to store two small appliances! However, if you’re only looking for an air fryer, opt for one of the models above!
Best Multifunctional Air Fryer
The Ultrean air fryer does it all, and it has a 12.6 quart basket to make large cooking jobs a breeze! It comes with 8 cooking presets. It also has the capability to roast, bake, and deydrate food. If you’re looking for an all around large multifunctional air fryer, this is it!
How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower – Step by Step
Step 1: Cut cauliflower into small florets.
Step 2: In a bowl combine cauliflower, buffalo sauce, oil, salt and pepper. Toss so that the cauliflower is evenly coated in the sauce.
Step 3: Arrange cauliflower in a single layer in your air fryer. You may need to cook in batches if your air fryer is not big enough to fit all of the pieces. Set the temperature to 375 F. Cook for 12 minutes, tossing at the 6 minute mark.
Step 3: Serve with your favorite creamy vegan ranch dressing, and celery sticks.
How to Make Vegan Buffalo Sauce – Step by Step
Vegan Buffalo Sauce
Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together hot sauce, avocado oil, white vinegar, vegan Worcestershire sauce, white vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
Step 2: Pour into a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat while whisking continuously.
Step 3: Remove from heat, once the sauce comes to a boil. Use immediately.
See recipe card for ingredient measurements and complete directions.
Top Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer! If you put too many pieces in at one time your cauliflower will not be evenly cooked. Some pieces will turn out soggy!
- If your air fryer isn’t big enough to place your cauliflower in a single layer, cook in 2 or more batches.
- If you like your cauliflower even crunchier and more brown, increase your temperature to 400 F.
- Be sure to toss them at the halfway point of cooking. This will ensure an even crisp on all sides.
How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower in the Oven
If you don’t have an air fryer, no problem! You can make these in the oven too! Preheat your oven to 425 F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread cauliflower evenly in one layer, giving the cauliflower enough space. Bake for 15 minutes. Halfway through cooking, gently turn the cauliflower over for an even bake.
How to Make Ahead
Prepare the cauliflower by tossing it in the buffalo sauce. Then cover, and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. When ready to serve, add the cauliflower to the air fryer. It will be done in 12 minutes!
How to Serve
I enjoy serving this spicy air fryer buffalo cauliflower with creamy vegan ranch dressing, and celery sticks!
Serve these at your big game day party, tailgates, New Year’s Eve bash, or any casual dinner party! They’re also a great weekend snack!
How to Store and Keep
These air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites are best when eaten fresh. However, if you have leftovers, transfer them to an air tight container and store in the refrigerator. They will keep for 3-5 days.
When you’re ready to eat them again. Transfer them back to the air fryer, and bake for 5 minutes at 350 F. They should warm and crisp back up nicely!
Recipe FAQS
Do I need to pre-cook the cauliflower?
No, you do not need to precook the cauliflower! In fact, it is best not to use precooked cauliflower. You won’t achieve the same crispiness.
Do these taste like buffalo chicken wings?
Well, to be honest, they do not taste like buffalo chicken wings. The sauce is the same, and cauliflower has a nice meatiness for a vegetable, but chicken has such a different texture and flavor, that they are do not have the same taste. However, these are still super delicious in their own way, and MUCH healthier than traditional buffalo chicken wings!
Check out these other air fryer appetizer recipes!
If you’ve tried this Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe, please rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more plant-based family recipes your whole family will enjoy!
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- 1 cup vegan buffalo sauce see directions and ingredients below
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Vegan Buffalo Sauce (or use store bought)
- ⅔ cup hot sauce
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- ¼ tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoky paprika
- ⅛ tsp garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
Serving Suggestions
- ½ cup vegan ranch dressing
- celery sticks
Instructions
- Cut cauliflower into small florets.
- In a bowl combine cauliflower, buffalo sauce, oil, salt and pepper. Toss so that the cauliflower is evenly coated in the sauce. (If making your own buffalo sauce, see the directions below.)
- Arrange cauliflower in a single layer in your air fryer. You may need to cook in batches if your air fryer is not big enough to fit all the pieces. Set the temperature to 375 F. Cook for 12 minutes, tossing at the 6 minute mark
- Serve with your favorite creamy vegan ranch dressing, and celery sticks.
Vegan Buffalo Sauce
- In a medium bowl, whisk together hot sauce, avocado oil, white vinegar, vegan Worcestershire sauce, white vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Pour into a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, while whisking continuously.
- Remove from heat, once the sauce comes to a boil. Use immediately.
Video
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer! If you put too many pieces in at one time your cauliflower will not be evenly cooked. Some pieces will turn out soggy!
- If your air fryer isn’t big enough to place your cauliflower in a single layer, cook in 2 or more batches.
- If you like them even crunchier and more brown, increase your temperature to 400 F.
- Be sure to toss them at the halfway point of cooking. This will ensure an even crisp on all sides.
This looks like the perfect healthy appetizer that I need in my life right now.
Easy to follow recipe and I especially appreciate the vegan buffalo sauce recipe. Yum!
Air fryer buffalo cauliflower sounds amazing and so easy. I’m wondering if I will get an air fryer for Christmas. 🙂
We love our air fryer and are always looking for new recipes to try! This was great!
I just love buffalo cauliflower! Genius to make these in the air fryer. 🙂