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These Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are easy to make and insanely delicious! They’re the perfect savory appetizer or side dish for game day, parties, and holidays. Plus they’re vegetarian, low-carb, and gluten-free.
You have to also try my Air Fryer BBQ Cauliflower Bites. So Good!
If you’re looking for a quick and easy appetizer for your next party or gathering, these Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are just the thing! Lose all the fat and carbs that come with chicken wings and replace them with cauliflower for a light, tasty snack that’s packed with buffalo flavor. Plus making them in the air fryer is super easy and mostly hands-free (oven instructions are included in the recipe card).
Interested in more delicious buffalo recipes? Try this Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip or these amazing Buffalo Chicken Tacos. You can also check out my post on my best appetizer recipes.
Recipe Summary
- So tasty! The air fryer makes these bites crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with that classic buffalo flavor to take them over the top.
- Simple to make. Just coat the cauliflower with the wet ingredients, shake with the dry ingredients, then cook in the air fryer (or oven). Once they’re done, toss them with buffalo sauce and serve.
Ingredients you’ll need
This is just a list of ingredients you will need to make these Buffalo Cauliflower Bites. Full measurements are listed further down below in the recipe card.
- Cauliflower
- Eggs: used for the batter
- Milk: any milk of your choice will work
- Kosher salt & ground pepper
- Gluten-free flour or any flour of your choice
- Garlic powder
- Buffalo sauce: you can use store-bought or make your own Homemade Buffalo Sauce
- Extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or cooking oil spray
How to make Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
- Prep the ingredients: Cut the cauliflower into 2.5 inch-large florets. In a large bowl beat the eggs with milk, oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Then in another small bowl combine the seasonings with the flour.
- Coat with egg mixture: Add the cauliflower into the beaten eggs and toss thoroughly to coat. Use your clean hands to mix; the pieces of cauliflower should be very well coated.
- Coat with flour mixture: Next, transfer the cauliflower to a large Ziploc bag. Add the flour-seasoning mix, seal the bag and thoroughly mix through until evenly coated.
- Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 400F and lightly spray the grates with cooking oil spray. (For oven instructions instead, see recipe card).
- Cook: Layer the cauliflower with a bit of space in between, then cook for 20-22 minutes. Adjust the cooking time if the size of your florets is smaller or larger.
- Toss with sauce: Remove from the air fryer when done to your liking and toss with the buffalo sauce.
Tips and Substitutions
- Cauliflower: Pick out a cauliflower head that is firm, pale, and has no dark spots. You can store it in the fridge for 4-7 days before using it.
- Milk: I use dairy milk, but you can substitute it with an unsweetened dairy-free option.
- Flour: Gluten-free, whole wheat, or regular flour will work well.
- Allow the air fryer to fully come to temperature before you start cooking for the best results.
- Make sure to not overcrowd the air fryer or sheet pan, or else they can’t get crispy. If needed, cook the cauliflower in two batches.
- You can also bake these in the oven instead. Place the cauliflower bites on a sheet pan lined up with parchment paper and bake at 375F for 18-20 minutes.
frequently asked questions
If the cauliflower is too crowded in the pan, it will cause them to steam instead of getting crispy. Make sure to leave a little space between the florets while cooking. Another reason they may be soggy is that they sat too long in the sauce at the end. These are best served fresh.
It depends on the brand you choose. Some buffalo sauces contain dairy, while others do not. Make sure to read the list of ingredients on the label to know if your sauce is vegan.
These are best served fresh, but if you have leftovers you can store them in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or under the broiler in the oven to restore some of the crispiness.
More appetizer Recipes
- Keto Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
- Homemade Cowboy Queso Dip
- Broccoli Chicken Fritters
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- How to Make the Best Cheese Board
- Zucchini Pizza Bites
- Oven-Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer BBQ Cauliflower Wings
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Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower head
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Kosher salt & ground pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons gluten free or whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup Buffalo sauce, No sugar buffalo sauce
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Cut the 1 medium cauliflower head into 2.5-inch-large florets.
- In a large bowl beat the 2 large eggs with 2 tablespoons milk, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or cooking oil spray, and a pinch of Kosher salt & ground pepper.
- In a small bowl combine the 1 teaspoon garlic powder with the 2 tablespoons gluten free or whole wheat flour.
- Add the cauliflower into the beaten eggs and toss thoroughly to coat. Use your clean hands to mix; the pieces of cauliflower should be very well coated.
- Transfer the cauliflower to a large ziploc bag. Add the flour-seasoning mix, seal the bag, and thoroughly mix through until evenly coated.
Air Fryer Directions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F and lightly spray the grates with cooking oil spray.
- Layer the cauliflower with a bit of space in between.
- Cook for 20-22 minutes. Adjust the cooking time if the size of your florets is smaller or larger.
- Remove from the air fryer when done to your liking and toss with the 1/4 cup Buffalo sauce
Oven Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400F and use a large nonstick sheet pan (or 2 to ensure enough space) lightly greased/sprayed with some olive oil.
- Evenly spread the cauliflower onto the pan, making sure you have enough space in between the pieces.
- Bake for 30 minutes, flipping halfway. Adjust the cooking time if the size of your florets is smaller or larger.
- Once the cauliflower is tender, drizzle the buffalo sauce over and gently stir. Return to the oven and bake for about 5 minutes more.
Notes
- Cauliflower: Pick out a cauliflower head that is firm, pale, and has no dark spots. You can store it in the fridge for 4-7 days before using it.
- Milk: I use dairy milk, but you can substitute it with an unsweetened dairy-free option.
- Flour: Gluten-free, whole wheat, or regular flour will work well.
- Allow the air fryer to fully come to temperature before you start cooking for the best results.
- Make sure to not overcrowd the air fryer or sheet pan, or else they can’t get crispy. If needed, cook the cauliflower in two batches.
- To make this vegan, you can skip the egg and use an egg wash substitute along with dairy-free milk. Also, make sure you are using a vegan-friendly buffalo sauce.
- Storage: These are best served fresh, but if you have leftovers you can store them in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or under the broiler in the oven to restore some of the crispiness
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Is there anything I can use to substitute the eggs ?
hey. Try mayo, buttermilk or some ground flaxseed mixed in with water