Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings (Printable View)

Crispy cauliflower florets coated in spicy Buffalo sauce, ideal for a healthy, plant-based appetizer.

# What You’ll 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 such as Frank's RedHot
11 - 2 tablespoons melted butter or vegan butter
12 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup optional for sweetness
13 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

# How To Make It:

01 - Set your air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined.
03 - Pour plant-based milk and olive oil into the dry mixture. Whisk thoroughly until you achieve a smooth, thick batter with no lumps.
04 - Add cauliflower florets to the batter and toss gently until each piece is evenly and completely coated.
05 - Place coated florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket in a non-overlapping arrangement. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Cook at 400°F for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time, until florets are golden brown and crispy on all edges.
07 - While cauliflower cooks, combine hot sauce, melted butter, maple syrup if using, and garlic powder in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, until ingredients are fully incorporated and heated through.
08 - Transfer cooked cauliflower to a large bowl. Pour warm Buffalo sauce over the florets and toss gently until evenly coated.
09 - Return sauced cauliflower to the air fryer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes at 400°F for enhanced crispiness.
10 - Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately with celery sticks and your choice of dipping sauce such as vegan ranch or blue cheese dressing.

# Best Practices:

01 -
  • They're genuinely crispy on the outside and tender inside, without needing a deep fryer or your kitchen smelling like an oil refinery for days.
  • You can adjust the heat level to whatever makes your taste buds happy, whether you want a gentle kick or full-blown face-melting spice.
  • The whole thing comes together in under 40 minutes, which means dinner can happen without stress or a mountain of dishes.
02 -
  • Don't skip the halfway shake during the first cook, because the side touching the basket will brown faster and you need those wings golden all over, not just on one side.
  • The second cook in the sauce is short but critical, giving you the crispy exterior that survives being tossed in liquid instead of just turning soggy and defeated.
03 -
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket because your wings need space to breathe and get crispy, even if it means cooking in two batches.
  • Make the sauce while the first batch cooks so everything timing works out perfectly without standing around watching the clock.
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