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Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe

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4.1 from 61 reviews

Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites make a perfect spicy and tangy appetizer or snack. These cauliflower florets are coated in a buttery hot sauce and seasoned breading, then air fried to golden perfection for a healthier twist on classic buffalo wings.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Cauliflower & Sauce

  • 1 head cauliflower (cut into florets, about 4 to 5 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce

Breading & Seasoning

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten free)
  • 3 tablespoons dried parsley
  • ½ tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoning Salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cauliflower: Place cauliflower florets in a large mixing bowl and set aside, making sure the pieces are roughly uniform for even cooking.
  2. Mix Sauce: Melt the butter and stir in olive oil and Frank’s Red Hot Sauce until thoroughly combined to form a smooth buffalo sauce.
  3. Coat Cauliflower: Pour the buffalo sauce mixture over the cauliflower florets, tossing gently to coat each piece evenly with the sauce.
  4. Mix Breading: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour (or almond flour), dried parsley, garlic powder, and seasoning salt to create the seasoned breading mixture.
  5. Apply Breading: Gradually sprinkle the breading mixture over the sauced cauliflower, mixing gently after each addition to ensure all florets are evenly coated.
  6. Air Fry First Batch: Transfer half of the coated cauliflower to the air fryer basket in a single layer to avoid overcrowding.
  7. Cook: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes, shaking the basket a couple of times during cooking to promote even browning. The cauliflower should be slightly browned but still firm.
  8. Set Aside: Remove the cooked cauliflower and keep it covered to maintain warmth and crispness.
  9. Air Fry Remaining Cauliflower: Repeat cooking process with the remaining cauliflower florets.
  10. Serve: Serve the crispy buffalo cauliflower bites hot with celery sticks and bleu cheese dressing for dipping.
  11. Oven Method (Optional): If not using an air fryer, toss the coated cauliflower florets with sauce and breading, arrange on a foil-lined baking pan, and bake at 450°F (232°C) for 15 minutes, stirring gently halfway to ensure even cooking and browning.

Notes

  • For gluten-free version, use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket for optimal crispiness.
  • The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of cauliflower florets and your specific air fryer model.
  • Serve immediately for best texture; leftovers may lose crispness.
  • Adjust hot sauce amount to your preferred spice level.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes per batch (about 30 minutes total)
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/air-fryer-buffalo-cauliflower-bites-recipe/