Air fryer buffalo cauliflower

Air fried buffalo cauliflower on platter with vegan dipping sauce.

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Air fryer buffalo cauliflower

Spicy buffalo cauliflower wings are always a hit at parties and get-togethers. This vegan and gluten-free appetizer pairs perfectly with onion and garlic dipping sauce.

Prep Time10

Cook Time13

Total Time23

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American, Vegan

Keyword: buffalo cauliflower, buffalo cauliflower wings, vegan appetizers

Servings: people

Calories: 109kcal

Author: Cadry Nelson

Ingredients

For the cauliflower seasoning

14 to 16 ounces cauliflower florets (or a small to medium-sized cauliflower head, broken into florets)
2 Tablespoons tamari low-sodium preferred*
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon onion powder

For the breaded coating

¼ cup cornstarch
3 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
Oil spray Avocado oil spray is my preferred option

For vegan buffalo sauce

1 Tablespoon vegan butter
3 Tablespoons Frank's RedHot sauce or your preferred hot sauce

Instructions

Put cauliflower florets into a large mixing bowl. Season with tamari, apple cider vinegar, and onion powder. Use a spoon to toss the florets and make sure they're evenly coated.
Across the top of the cauliflower, sprinkle on cornstarch and nutritional yeast. Then use a spoon to combine as it becomes a batter and coats the cauliflower. (Aim for even coating, but some variation or dry spots are fine.)
Put the battered florets into the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd.**
Air fry at 400 degrees for 13 minutes, stopping halfway through to spray with oil and shake the basket. Continue cooking, stopping once or twice more to spray again and shake for even browning.
The florets are ready when they're perfectly golden and crunchy.
While the cauliflower is cooking, put vegan butter into a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, until it melts. Then add Frank's RedHot sauce (or your preferred hot sauce), and combine with a spoon or whisk.
Remove the cauliflower from the air fryer, and put it into a large mixing bowl. (I like to rinse and use the same mixing bowl from earlier.) Pour the buffalo sauce onto the cauliflower, and stir to combine, so that everything gets evenly covered in sauce.
Transfer to a platter. Then serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce like onion and garlic dressing (my favorite choice), vegan ranch, or vegan blue cheese dressing.

Notes

*To keep this dish gluten-free, be sure to check the packaging on your tamari to ensure it's wheat-free. Or replace tamari with coconut aminos or non-dairy milk.

**If your air fryer is small or if you're doubling the recipe, cook in batches. For perfect crispiness and the best air flow, it's important not to overfill the air fryer basket.

For an even easier buffalo sauce option, the hot sauce and vegan butter can be replaced with ¼ cup of your preferred buffalo sauce. Trader Joe's buffalo sauce or Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce are both vegan options.

Note on nutrition info

Oil isn’t included in the nutrition info since it varies by how generously you spray. Spray oils are labeled zero calorie per spray, but the actual amount used can vary.

Nutrition