Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe
Introduction
These air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings are a delicious, spicy snack that’s perfect for game day or a flavorful appetizer. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they offer a satisfying plant-based alternative to traditional wings.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sweet smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- ½ tbsp garlic granules
- 50g plain flour
- 200g buttermilk (195ml)
- 1 medium cauliflower (around 750g), leaves removed and cut into florets
- 100g hot sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine the paprika, cumin, garlic granules, flour, buttermilk, and a good pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well to create a smooth batter.
- Step 2: Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and gently toss to coat them evenly.
- Step 3: Place the coated cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, shaking off any excess batter. Depending on your basket size, you may need to cook in batches.
- Step 4: Cook the cauliflower at 200°C (390°F) for 18-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until the edges are browned and crispy.
- Step 5: While the cauliflower cooks, mix the hot sauce, olive oil, and honey or maple syrup in a large bowl.
- Step 6: Once the cauliflower is cooked, add it to the bowl and gently toss to coat in the sauce.
- Step 7: Return the coated cauliflower to the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 6-9 minutes until hot and fully cooked through.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, lightly spray the cauliflower with oil before the final air frying step.
- Adjust the hot sauce amount to suit your preferred spice level.
- Try swapping honey for maple syrup to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
- Serve with celery sticks and your favorite dipping sauce for a classic buffalo wing experience.
Storage
Store leftover buffalo cauliflower wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, air fry again at 180°C (350°F) for 5-7 minutes or until heated through and crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the coating soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using to mimic buttermilk’s acidity.
Is it possible to bake the cauliflower wings instead of air frying?
Absolutely. Arrange the coated cauliflower on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 200°C (390°F) for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crispy.
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Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Recipe
- Total Time: 35-39 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings are a delicious, spicy, and healthier alternative to traditional buffalo wings. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they are coated in a flavorful batter and tossed in a tangy hot sauce, making for the perfect appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Batter
- 1 tbsp sweet smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- ½ tbsp garlic granules
- 50g plain flour
- 200g buttermilk (195ml)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cauliflower
- 1 medium cauliflower (around 750g), leaves removed and cut into florets
Buffalo Sauce
- 100g hot sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, combine the sweet smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic granules, plain flour, buttermilk, and a good pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well until you have a smooth, consistent batter.
- Coat the cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets into the batter and stir gently, ensuring each floret is thoroughly coated in the batter.
- Air fry the cauliflower: Place the coated cauliflower florets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, shaking off excess batter to avoid clumping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Cook at 200°C (392°F) for 18-20 minutes, turning the florets halfway through to brown evenly on the edges.
- Prepare the buffalo sauce: While the cauliflower cooks, mix together the hot sauce, olive oil, and honey or maple syrup (if using) in a large bowl.
- Toss and finish cooking: Once a batch of cauliflower is cooked, add it to the bowl with the buffalo sauce and gently toss to coat each floret. Return all the coated cauliflower back into the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 6-9 minutes at 200°C until hot and cooked through.
Notes
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute with 195ml milk mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce depending on your spice preference.
- For a vegan alternative, substitute buttermilk with plant-based milk and honey with maple syrup.
- Shake the air fryer basket gently halfway through the cooking to ensure even browning.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for an authentic buffalo wing experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-29 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: buffalo cauliflower wings, air fryer cauliflower, vegetarian wings, spicy cauliflower, appetizer, snack, American cuisine
