Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings (Printable)

Crispy cauliflower florets tossed in Buffalo sauce, cooked quickly in an air fryer for a flavorful snack.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper
03 - Pour plant-based milk and olive oil into dry mixture. Whisk until smooth and thick batter forms
04 - Add cauliflower florets to batter and toss until completely coated
05 - Arrange coated florets in single layer in air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook in batches if necessary
06 - Air fry for 15 minutes, shaking basket halfway through, until golden and crispy
07 - In small saucepan, combine hot sauce, melted butter, maple syrup if using, and garlic powder. Warm over low heat until well combined
08 - Transfer cooked cauliflower to large bowl. Pour Buffalo sauce over wings and toss gently to coat
09 - Return sauced cauliflower wings to air fryer and cook for additional 3 to 5 minutes for extra crispiness
10 - Transfer to serving platter and serve immediately with celery sticks and preferred dip

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Perfectly crispy exterior with tender cauliflower inside, all achieved without deep frying
  • Ready in just 35 minutes from start to finish, perfect for last-minute entertaining
  • Easily adaptable for vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets with simple substitutions
  • Classic Buffalo flavor that satisfies cravings while keeping things light and nutritious
  • Minimal cleanup thanks to the air fryer and simple ingredient list
02 -
  • Cut cauliflower florets into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking throughout
  • Don't skip shaking the basket halfway through—this ensures all sides get equally crispy
  • Make the Buffalo sauce while the cauliflower cooks to save time and keep everything hot
  • For meal prep, you can coat and freeze unbaked cauliflower wings, then air fry directly from frozen, adding 3-5 extra minutes
  • Leftover wings can be reheated in the air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness
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