Buffalo Cauliflower Crispy Bites (Printer-friendly)

Crispy and spicy cauliflower bites tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce for a flavorful vegetarian snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cauliflower

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 1 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)

→ Buffalo Sauce

08 - 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
10 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

→ For Serving

11 - Celery sticks
12 - Carrot sticks
13 - Ranch or blue cheese dressing (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Set the air fryer to 400°F and allow it to reach temperature.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add milk and whisk until smooth.
03 - Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring full coverage, then shake off excess.
04 - Arrange florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 minutes, shaking halfway until golden and crisp.
05 - While cauliflower cooks, combine buffalo hot sauce, melted butter, and honey or maple syrup in a large bowl.
06 - Transfer cooked florets immediately to the buffalo sauce bowl and toss until evenly coated.
07 - Serve hot with celery, carrot sticks, and optional ranch or blue cheese dressing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get that authentic buffalo wing crunch and heat without deep frying or meat.
  • It comes together in 35 minutes, so last-minute party invites become totally doable.
  • Even dedicated meat-eaters stop arguing and start eating when these hit the table.
02 -
  • Don't skip the butter in the sauce—I learned this when my first batch tasted more like hot sadness than buffalo magic. Butter transforms it into something people actually crave.
  • A single-layer arrangement in the air fryer is non-negotiable. Crowding them steams them instead of crisping them, and you lose everything.
03 -
  • If your first batch comes out not crispy enough, your air fryer might run cooler than advertised. Go to 410°F and add three more minutes—every machine is a little different.
  • Frozen cauliflower florets work fine in a pinch, but fresh florets get crispier because they're drier. Pat them with paper towels before battering if they're even slightly wet.
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