Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings (Printable view)

Crispy cauliflower florets air fried and coated in a tangy Buffalo sauce for a flavorful bite.

# What You Need:

→ Cauliflower Wings

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
02 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
08 - 3/4 cup unsweetened plant-based milk or regular milk
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Buffalo Sauce

10 - 1/2 cup hot sauce
11 - 2 tablespoons melted butter or vegan butter
12 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup, optional
13 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

# How To Make:

01 - Set your air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined.
03 - Add plant-based milk and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Whisk until you achieve a smooth, thick batter with no lumps.
04 - Add cauliflower florets to the batter and toss thoroughly until each piece is completely coated.
05 - Place coated florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Cook in multiple batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Cook for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time, until the florets are golden brown and crispy.
07 - In a small saucepan, combine hot sauce, melted butter, maple syrup if desired, and garlic powder. Warm over low heat, stirring occasionally until well blended.
08 - Transfer cooked cauliflower wings to a large bowl. Pour the Buffalo sauce over the wings and toss gently until evenly coated.
09 - Return the sauced cauliflower wings to the air fryer and cook for 3 to 5 additional minutes for enhanced crispiness.
10 - Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately with celery sticks and your choice of dipping sauce such as vegan ranch or blue cheese dressing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They crisp up in the air fryer without any deep frying mess, and your kitchen doesn't smell like a grease trap for days.
  • Buffalo sauce transforms humble cauliflower into something so craveable that vegetarians and meat-eaters fight over the last piece.
  • Ready in under 40 minutes, so you can make these when a craving hits instead of waiting for takeout delivery.
02 -
  • Crowding the air fryer basket is the enemy; they'll steam instead of crisping, so patience with batches is what separates mediocre from incredible.
  • If you want extra crunch, add 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs to your flour mixture, which changes the entire texture and makes them almost irresistible.
  • The sauce will cool down quickly, so tossing them while they're still hot means the sauce sticks better and flavors integrate deeper.
03 -
  • Pat your cauliflower florets dry after cutting because excess moisture will steam instead of crisp, and that's the difference between restaurant-quality and disappointingly soft.
  • Don't be shy with the seasoning in the batter itself, because some of those flavors will fade once they hit the sauce, and you want a base that stands on its own.
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