Description

These crispy air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites are spicy, crunchy, and ridiculously satisfying. Made with a double-coating technique for a sturdy, crunchy shell, they’re ready in under 25 minutes and perfect for game day or a healthy snack.

Ingredients

Scale

1 medium head of cauliflower (about 2 pounds or 900g), cut into bite-sized florets
1/2 cup (60g) gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk
1 large egg
1/2 cup (120ml) buffalo hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
Ranch or blue cheese dressing for serving (optional)
Fresh celery sticks and carrot sticks for serving (optional)
Chopped fresh parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prep the cauliflower: Wash and pat dry the cauliflower. Cut into bite-sized florets about 1 to 1.5 inches wide.
Make the dry breading mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together gluten-free flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Make the wet mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg until smooth.
Coat the cauliflower: Working in batches of 6-8 florets, dip each piece into the wet mixture, letting excess drip off, then roll in the dry breading mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Place coated florets on a plate in a single layer.
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
Air fry the cauliflower: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange coated florets in a single layer without touching. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes. Flip each piece, spray tops lightly with cooking spray, and cook for another 5-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Make the buffalo sauce: While cauliflower cooks, combine hot sauce, melted butter, and honey (if using) in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth.
Toss in sauce: Transfer hot cauliflower to a large bowl. Pour buffalo sauce over and toss gently until evenly coated.
Serve immediately: Transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with parsley or green onions if desired. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.

Notes

For best results, don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Pat cauliflower completely dry before coating. Spray basket and cauliflower with cooking spray. Flip halfway through cooking. Serve immediately after saucing. Adjust heat level by adding more butter or honey. For oven-baked version, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes on a wire rack.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 6-8 bites
Calories: 185
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 680
Fat: 9
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 22
Fiber: 4
Protein: 6

Keywords: air fryer buffalo cauliflower, gluten-free buffalo cauliflower, crispy cauliflower bites, game day appetizer, healthy snack