Air Fryer Cauliflower Buffalo Wings

An air fryer makes quick work of cauliflower for a crispy outside and tender inside. You won't be able to stop eating this spicy, delicious appetizer.

By
Nick Evans
Nick Evans
Nick Evans

Nick has been creating recipes for home cooks for almost 15 years. He is the author of Love Your Leftovers and has contributed to Simply Recipes since 2017.

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Updated March 20, 2025
Nick Evans
Air Fryer Cauliflower with Buffalo Sauce on a platter with dip and vegetable sticks.
Nick Evans

I’m generally a traditionalist when it comes to chicken wings. Give me the classic, please! But if you are serving a vegetarian crowd or just want something different (and slightly healthier), this Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower has all the spicy earthy flavors you crave to get your wing fix!

This version is a riff on my normal air fryer crispy cauliflower. To get crispy on the outside, tender on the inside cauliflower add the sauce right at the end of cooking so it doesn’t burn and then just blast the florets in the air fryer for one final short cooking session.

Why Make Buffalo Cauliflower in an Air Fryer?

In short, it’s easier than a full on deep fryer and definitely healthier! I was amazed at how crispy and wonderful the finished florets get. It almost seems like a cheat code.

The buffalo sauce I used is a really classic mix of hot sauce, butter, and spices. It tastes like game day to me and goes surprisingly well with cauliflower.

A top shot of a plate of buffalo cauliflower with sauce and veggies on the side.
Nick Evans

No Air Fryer? Make Buffalo Cauliflower in your Oven!

Baking this cauliflower is absolutely an option. It takes longer and the cauliflower, honestly, doesn’t get quite as crispy, but it’ll work and turn out great.

I recommend lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for easier clean up and you’ll need to roast the cauliflower for at least 30 minutes at 400 ̊F, maybe as long as 45 minutes, to get a really crispy floret. Start checking the florets at the 30 minute mark. They are done when they are crispy on the outside, but you can easily pierce them with a fork.

Buffalo Sauce Swaps and Substitutions

There’s no reason you have to go with the standard for the hot sauce base. Try a more Tex-Mex style sauce by using something like Tapatio or go Thai with a Sriracha or Korean with gojuchang!

Dips for the Buffalo Cauliflower

Ranch dressing or blue cheese sauce is the standard here and I’m not sure I would mess with it too much. It’s a classic for a reason: it’s delicious!

Dipping Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower in sauce.
Nick Evans

Make Ahead Instructions

You can absolutely prep the cauliflower and get it breaded and ready in advance and make the sauce in advance. The cooked cauliflower florets lose a lot of their pizazz though in the fridge so I would air-fry just the amount you can eat.

Dealing With Leftovers

If you do have leftovers, don’t toss them though! You can bring them back to life (as much as possible) either in the air fryer for a quick 2-3 minutes reheat session or in an oven for 5-6 minutes. I wouldn’t microwave the leftovers!

More Great Air Fryer Recipes to Try

Air Fryer Cauliflower Buffalo Wings

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Servings 4 to 6 servings

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can lay out the cauliflower on a baking sheet and roast it in your oven for 30 minutes, turning once halfway through. Then add a light coating of sauce to the cauliflower and roast for another 5 minutes. Then serve while warm with extra sauce.

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Ingredients

  • 1 large head cauliflower, broken into 1-inch florets

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs

  • Non-stick cooking spray

  • 1 cup Franks hot sauce

  • 1/4 cup butter, melted

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Optional:

Method

  1. Break apart the cauliflower

    Cut the green stems back on the cauliflower head and then break or cut the head into about 1-inch florets. It’s easiest to start near the base of the cauliflower and work your way toward the center.

  2. Dip in egg wash and breadcrumbs

    In a bowl large enough to hold the florets, whisk together 2 eggs and 1/4 cup of water. Add the florets to the egg mixture.

    Use a slotted spoon to stir the florets making sure each is well coated. Remove the florets from the egg mixture and add them to the breadcrumbs. Toss them around until they are well coated.

    A metal bowl with egg and seasonings mixed with a fork and set next to cauliflower florets to make Air Fryer Cauliflower with Buffalo Sauce.
    Nick Evans
    Cauliflower florets in a metal bowl to make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites.
    Nick Evans
  3. Air fry the breaded cauliflower

    Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Place the breaded florets in a single layer in the basket. Try not to crowd them. Set the air fryer to 350 ̊F and fry the cauliflower for 7 minutes. Flip each floret and fry for another 7 minutes. Transfer to a platter.

    Repeat this process until all the cauliflower have been fried.

    Buffalo Cauliflower without sauce and inside an air fryer.
    Nick Evans
    Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower in an air fryer.
    Nick Evans
  4. Make the buffalo sauce

    In a small bowl, combine the hot sauce, melted butter, salt, garlic powder and black pepper.

    Ingredients to make Buffalo Cauliflower in a metal bowl.
    Nick Evans
  5. Coat the fried cauliflower

    Dunk the florets of breaded and fried cauliflower one at time with a light coat of sauce. Return the pieces to the air fryer in a single layer and fry for another 4 minutes. Transfer to a platter.

    Repeat the frying process with all your florets.

    Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites in a metal bowl with sauce poured on top.
    Nick Evans
    Air Fryer Cauliflower with Buffalo Sauce in an air fryer.
    Nick Evans
  6. Serve

    Serve the florets warm with blue cheese sauce, leftover buffalo sauce, and vegetables on the side.

    Did you love this recipe? Let us know with a rating and review!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
201 Calories
11g Fat
20g Carbs
7g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 201
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g 14%
Saturated Fat 6g 29%
Cholesterol 82mg 27%
Sodium 1347mg 59%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 4g 15%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 90mg 452%
Calcium 71mg 5%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 320mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.