Air-Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Crispy buffalo cauliflower is about to become your new favorite snack! Anyone who loves that perfect combo of spicy and creamy will absolutely devour this dish, plus you get all the flavor with way less oil than traditional frying.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 10 minutes, Total Time: 35 minutes, Serves: 4 people.

Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Vegetarian, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 121 Calories, 9g Fat, 7g Carbs, 4g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cauliflower: You’ll need 1 medium head (about 2 pounds) trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch florets. I love how cauliflower gets so crispy in the air fryer – it’s like magic!

Cornstarch: Just 1 tablespoon helps create that perfect crispy coating. This little trick makes all the difference for getting restaurant-quality crunch at home.

Extra-virgin olive oil: 1 tablespoon is all you need to help everything stick together. The oil also helps the cauliflower get golden and beautiful.

Garlic powder: 1/2 teaspoon adds that savory flavor we all love. I always keep this pantry staple on hand for quick seasoning.

Onion powder: 1/4 teaspoon gives extra depth of flavor. It’s like having fresh onions without any chopping or tears!

Cooking spray: This helps get every piece perfectly crispy. Don’t skip this step – it really makes a difference!

Unsalted butter: 1 tablespoon melted creates the base for your buffalo sauce. I love how butter makes the hot sauce stick to every piece.

Hot sauce: 1 tablespoon of Frank’s RedHot or your favorite brand brings the heat. You can always adjust this to your taste!

Salt: Just 1/8 teaspoon to finish everything off perfectly. A tiny pinch makes all the flavors pop.

Blue cheese: 1/4 cup crumbled gives you that classic buffalo flavor combo. The creamy, tangy cheese balances the heat so nicely.

How to Make Air-Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 360°F for 5 minutes. Toss cauliflower with cornstarch, oil, garlic powder and onion powder in a large bowl. Make sure every piece gets coated really well. Generously coat with cooking spray and toss again.

Step 2: Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer in your air-fryer basket. You might need to work in batches depending on your air fryer size. Cook until the edges are golden and crispy, about 10 minutes.

Step 3: While that’s cooking, whisk melted butter and hot sauce together in a large bowl. This creates your perfect buffalo sauce!

Step 4: Add all of the cooked cauliflower to the bowl with buffalo sauce. Toss everything to coat each piece nicely.

Step 5: Return the sauced cauliflower to the air fryer and cook for 2 more minutes. This helps the sauce stick and get a little caramelized.

Step 6: Sprinkle with salt and top with crumbled blue cheese. Serve right away while it’s hot and crispy!

Easy and Quick Air-Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Version

Want to make this even faster? You can use pre-cut cauliflower florets from the store! Just make sure they’re about the same size so everything cooks evenly. You can also skip the second air frying step if you’re in a hurry – just toss with the buffalo sauce and serve right away.

Serving Ideas

This makes a fantastic appetizer or snack that everyone will love! Serve it with some crunchy celery sticks and extra blue cheese dressing for dipping. It’s also amazing as a side dish with grilled chicken or a fresh green salad.

Storage

Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to get them crispy again. The microwave will work too, but they won’t be as crispy.

Substitutions

No blue cheese? Try ranch dressing or even some shredded cheddar instead! If you don’t have cornstarch, a little flour will work just fine. You can swap the butter for vegan butter to make this dairy-free, and use your favorite hot sauce brand.

Pro Tips

• Size matters: Keep your cauliflower pieces about the same size so they cook evenly.
• Don’t overcrowd: Give each piece space in the air fryer basket for maximum crispiness.
• Sauce timing: Make your buffalo sauce while the cauliflower cooks to save time.
• Extra crispy trick: Pat the cauliflower dry before seasoning for even better results.

FAQs

Can I make this without an air fryer?

You bet! Just roast the cauliflower in a 425°F oven for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. The air fryer gets it crispier, but the oven works great too!

How spicy is this recipe?

It’s got a nice mild heat that most people can handle! If you’re sensitive to spice, start with just 1/2 tablespoon of hot sauce and add more to taste.

Can I prep this ahead of time?

Sure! You can cut the cauliflower and mix up the buffalo sauce a day ahead. Just store everything in the fridge and cook when you’re ready to eat.

What if I don’t like blue cheese?

No worries at all! Try ranch dressing, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, or even just some chopped green onions. Make it your own!

Final Thoughts

I hope you love this crispy buffalo cauliflower as much as my family does! It’s become our go-to snack for game day and movie nights. Let me know how yours turns out – I’d love to hear about any fun variations you try!