Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings (Print version)

Golden cauliflower florets coated in spicy Buffalo sauce, cooked crisp in the air fryer.

# 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
13 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

# Directions:

01 - Set air fryer to 400°F and allow to preheat for 3 minutes.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Pour plant-based milk and olive oil into the flour mixture. Whisk until smooth and thick batter forms.
04 - Add cauliflower florets to batter and toss until completely coated on all sides.
05 - Place coated florets in single layer in air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; work in batches if needed.
06 - Air fry for 15 minutes, shaking basket halfway through cooking until florets achieve golden and crispy exterior.
07 - In small saucepan over low heat, combine hot sauce, melted butter, maple syrup, and garlic powder. Stir until well blended and warm.
08 - Transfer cooked cauliflower florets to large bowl. Pour warm Buffalo sauce over top and toss gently to coat evenly.
09 - Return sauced cauliflower to air fryer and cook for additional 3 to 5 minutes for enhanced crispiness.
10 - Transfer to serving platter and serve immediately with celery sticks and preferred dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get that satisfying crunch without the guilt of deep fried food, and your kitchen stays relatively grease-free.
  • Buffalo sauce transforms humble cauliflower into something so craveable that even the skeptics come back for seconds.
  • It's ready in 35 minutes total, which means you can pull this together between the time someone texts and when they arrive.
02 -
  • Do not skip the mid-way shake in the air fryer—I learned this the hard way with one side perfectly golden and the other pale and sad.
  • The final 3 to 5 minute return to the air fryer is not optional if you want to keep that crispness after saucing; I've made this skipping that step and immediately regretted it.
03 -
  • Add 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs to your batter for an extra-textured crust that stays crunchier longer even as it cools slightly.
  • Don't wash your cauliflower right before coating—let it air dry or pat it completely dry so the batter actually adheres instead of sliding off.
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