Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
These crispy air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites are a quick, easy, and healthier snack option with a perfect balance of spicy, tangy buffalo sauce and a crunchy batter coating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (can substitute gluten-free flour for GF version)
- 1 cup (240ml) water
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (120ml) buffalo sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
- Olive oil spray (optional but recommended)
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse and dry the cauliflower head thoroughly. Cut into bite-sized florets, aiming for similar sizes to ensure even cooking.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, and 1/2 tsp salt. Gradually stir in 1 cup water until you have a smooth, pancake-batter-like consistency—not too thick, but not runny. Add more water if needed.
- Dip each floret into the batter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Use tongs or a fork to transfer coated florets to a plate, shaking off excess batter to avoid clumps.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spray the basket lightly with olive oil spray. Arrange battered florets in a single layer without touching. Spray tops lightly with olive oil spray.
- Cook for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- While bites are cooking, warm 1/2 cup buffalo sauce in a small bowl.
- Once bites are done, toss them gently in the buffalo sauce until evenly coated. Return to the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to set the sauce slightly.
- Serve immediately with blue cheese or ranch dressing if desired.
Notes
Pat cauliflower dry before battering to ensure crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow even cooking. Use olive oil spray for a crispy texture without deep frying. Batter consistency should be like pancake batter, not too thick or runny. Toss bites in buffalo sauce after cooking and optionally return to air fryer to set sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 6-8 bites per
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 5
Keywords: buffalo cauliflower, air fryer, crispy snack, buffalo bites, healthy snack, vegetarian, appetizer