These Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are the perfect appetizer! With no oil and only a handful of ingredients, they're easy and guilt-free.
Making these Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower bites could not be easier! You will forget they are vegetarian because the coating, sauce, and dip is the perfect combo! They come together in no time, without having to dredge in flour (hello, easy!), and cook in less than 15 minutes!
Healthy and majorly delicious much like Air Fryer Green Bean Fries, Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli, or Air Fryer Avocado Fries.
You do need an Air Fryer (see below for recommendations) for this recipe, but you could also bake them. See below for directions on that.
These vegetarian buffalo cauliflower bites are so delicious and easy, they will be your new go-to snack or appetizer. You don't miss the meat AT ALL, and they are perfect for vegetarians or non-vegetarians alike!
Everyone will be begging you for this recipe! Using this Homemade Buffalo Sauce recipe makes them perfectly delicious!
How to make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites:
**scroll all the way down for full ingredient list and step by step printable directions**
- Prep the cauliflower by trimming off of the head, and into bite sized pieces. Do not make them too small or they will fall apart. Rinse and dry, set aside in large bowl.
- Make the buffalo sauce: Melt 8 TBS butter and combine with ½ cup Franks Red Hot (not buffalo wing sauce). Whisk to combine and set aside. If it thickens too much, microwave for 30 seconds and whisk again. Set aside.
- In the large bowl with the trimmed cauliflower, pour the buffalo sauce over the top. Toss gently to completely coat cauliflower; set aside.
- Using a zip lock bag, add ½ cup panko bread crumbs, ½ cup regular bread crumbs, and seasonings (see below for exact amounts). Shake to combine.
- Add about half of the coated cauliflower to the bag and toss/shake to coat the cauliflower. Using tongs, remove from the bag and place into the air fryer in a single layer. Repeat for the rest of the cauliflower.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in 2 batches - do not overcrowd the bites!
- Cook at 400 degrees for 7 minutes. Remove tray and gently flip or shake. Place tray back into unit and cook at 400 degrees for 5 more minutes. Remove and set aside, cook second batch if needed.
- Serve immediately with The Best Ever Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing, Chipotle Ranch Dip, or Creamy Jalapeno Ranch Dressing
How to BAKE Buffalo Cauliflower Bites:
- Use the same directions in terms of prepping and coating the cauliflower. Set the oven to 400 degrees F. Place bites on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Cook for 15 minutes, then flip over. Cook 5-7 more minutes or until crispy. To crisp coating further, turn oven to broil on HIGH and broil for 1-2 minutes or until browned. Serve hot!
What type of Air Fryer should I use for this recipe?
There are many Air Fryers to choose from, but I love my PowerXL Vortex Air fryer! Here are some other great options:
- Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven, 6 Quart: 6-in-1, Broil, Roast, Dehydrate, Bake, Non-stick and Dishwasher-Safe Basket, Stainless Steel
- COSORI Air Fryer 5.8QT - Large Hot Electric Oven Oilless Cooker with 8 Quick Setting Recommendation
- GoWISE USA 7 QT Air Fryer -with Dehydrator & 3 Stackable Racks, Led Digital Touchscreen
Best dips for Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites:
I love a great sauce or dip with my bites, and these are ALL great options as the coolness of the dip balances out the spice of the cauliflower bites:
If you like nutritious side dishes, you have to see these other recipes from Domestic Superhero:
- Air Fryer Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts are going to be your new go-to side dish. Only a handful of ingredients and only 132 calories per serving!
- Air Fryer Avocado Fries are creamy and crunchy without any oily mess! With only a handful of ingredients, these are the perfect healthy snack or appetizer!
- Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli is an incredibly easy, quick, and delicious side dish. This lower calorie air fryer option will become a staple side dish!
- Asian Glazed Brussels Sprouts – perfect dinner companion! Roasted with a delicious spicy sweet glaze that everyone will love!
- Instant Pot Garlic Hummus Recipe only has a handful of ingredients; Save money and know exactly what’s in your food with this recipe !
- Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus has only 2 ingredients and takes a fraction of the typical time, this will be your favorite way to cook asparagus!
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- 1 head fresh cauliflower, florets trimmed, rinsed and dried
- ½ cup Franks Red Hot Sauce (NOT buffalo wing sauce)
- 8 TBS butter, melted
- ½ cup panko (japanese) bread crumbs
- ½ cup regular bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- dressing to dip
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Make the buffalo sauce: Add melted butter and Franks Red Hot Sauce to a small bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside. If it thickens too much, microwave for 30 seconds and whisk again. Set aside.
-
In the large bowl, add the cauliflower and pour the buffalo sauce over the top. Toss gently to completely coat cauliflower; set aside.
-
Using a zip lock bag, panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs, and all seasonings; Shake to combine. Add about half of the coated cauliflower to the bag and toss/shake to coat the cauliflower. Using tongs, remove from the bag and place into the air fryer in a single layer. Repeat for the rest of the cauliflower. **Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in 2 batches - do not overcrowd the bites!**
-
Cook at 400 degrees for 7 minutes. Remove tray and gently flip cauliflower or shake. Place tray back into unit and cook at 400 degrees for 5 more minutes. Remove and set aside. Cook second batch if needed.
-
Serve immediately with The Best Ever Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing, Chipotle Ranch Dip, or Creamy Jalapeno Ranch Dressing.
Recipe Video
How to BAKE Buffalo Cauliflower Bites:
* Use the same directions in terms of prepping and coating the cauliflower. Set the oven to 400 degrees F. Place bites on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cook for 15 minutes, then flip over. Cook 5-7 more minutes or until crispy. To crisp coating further, turn oven to broil on HIGH and broil for 1-2 minutes or until browned. Serve hot!
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