Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven) - Wholesome Yum (1)

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In This Post

  • Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
  • How To Make Buffalo Cauliflower In The Oven
  • How To Cook Buffalo Cauliflower In The Air Fryer
  • Storage Instructions
  • What To Serve With Buffalo Cauliflower
  • More Easy Cauliflower Recipes
  • Tools To Make Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
  • Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven)Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

This buffalo cauliflower recipe takes all the flavor of traditional buffalo chicken wings and swaps the meat with bite-sized cauliflower florets. The result is a mouthwatering combination of crispy veggies and zesty sauce — perfect for dipping! I’ve been making this on repeat.

These crispy buffalo cauliflower bites, sometimes called buffalo cauliflower wings due to their resemblance to buffalo chicken wings, are one of the best ways to classic buffalo flavor — all while sneaking in a veggie and without deep frying. I’ll show you how to make them two ways (baked buffalo cauliflower or buffalo cauliflower in the air fryer) for an easy snack or side dish on game day… or any time you need to shake up your veggies.

Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe

  • Spicy, buttery taste
  • Tender cauliflower with crisp exterior
  • 4 basic ingredients
  • As little as 10 minutes cook time
  • Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free
  • No batter, flour, or bread crumbs needed
  • 2 ways to make it — oven roasted or air fryer buffalo cauliflower!
Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven) - Wholesome Yum (2)

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for buffalo cauliflower bites, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

  • Cauliflower – Use a whole cauliflower with tight florets and cut into bite-sized pieces, or buy florets pre-cut for convenience. Either way, make sure they are uniform in size.
  • Olive Oil – Helps spices adhere to the cauliflower and brown the florets evenly. You can substitute your favorite neutral cooking oil.
  • Buffalo Sauce – The hot sauce of choice for cauliflower buffalo wings! Use your favorite one.
  • Unsalted Butter – Creates the buffalo wing sauce and helps temper the heat for it. You can also substitute ghee, coconut oil, or olive oil if you need vegan or dairy-free options.
  • Spices – Including sea salt, black pepper, and optional garlic powder.

Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven) - Wholesome Yum (3)

VARIATION: Add breading!

If you prefer breaded cauliflower, you can do this in two ways:

  • For the regular version – In a freezer bag or large bowl with a lid, add spices and 3 tablespoons cornstarch (or a cornstarch substitute). Add cauliflower florets and toss to coat, then toss with oil and cook per recipe instructions.
  • For keto buffalo cauliflower – Combine 1 1/3 cup almonds and spices in a food processor. Pulse until the consistency is finely ground (avoid over-processing). Alternatively, mix 1 cup almond flour with spices in a freezer bag or large bowl with lid. Whisk 1 large egg in a bowl and add cauliflower, stirring to coat, then transfer to the container with breading mixture and shake to coat. Cook per recipe instructions.
Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven) - Wholesome Yum (4)

How To Make Buffalo Cauliflower In The Oven

This section shows how to cook baked buffalo cauliflower, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

  1. Season. Place cauliflower florets in a large bowl, drizzle with oil, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using). Toss to coat.
  2. Bake. Transfer cauliflower to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and arrange in a single layer. Roast until browned and tender.
Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven) - Wholesome Yum (5)
Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven) - Wholesome Yum (6)
  1. Make sauce. Heat butter and buffalo sauce together in a microwave or stovetop over medium-low heat. Whisk to combine.
  2. Combine. Transfer baked cauliflower wings to a bowl and pour the buffalo melted butter mixture over it. Gently toss to coat.
Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven) - Wholesome Yum (7)
Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven) - Wholesome Yum (8)

How To Cook Buffalo Cauliflower In The Air Fryer

This section shows how to make air fryer buffalo cauliflower, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

  1. Season. Add cauliflower to a large bowl, drizzle with oil, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using). Toss to coat.
  2. Air fry. Transfer cauliflower to air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry, working in batches, until browned on the edges. Stir or shake the basket halfway through.

Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven) - Wholesome Yum (9)

TIP: Avoid over crowding the air fryer basket.

Cauliflower will not cook evenly if there is not enough space between the florets.

Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven) - Wholesome Yum (10)
Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven) - Wholesome Yum (11)
  1. Make sauce. Heat butter and buffalo sauce together in a microwave or stovetop over medium-low heat. Whisk to combine.
  2. Combine. Transfer air fried cauliflower to a bowl and pour sauce over it. Gently toss to coat.

Storage Instructions

  • Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  • Reheat: For the crispiest results, reheat in a toaster oven, air fryer, or hot oven.
  • Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing this recipe, as the texture will get too soft.
Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven) - Wholesome Yum (14)

What To Serve With Buffalo Cauliflower

The zippy sauce in this recipe pairs with a variety of cool and creamy sides. Try these ideas!

  • Dipping SauceHomeamde ranch and blue cheese dressing are classic options. You could also try plain yogurt mixed with fresh dill, or a drizzle of sugar-free honey.
  • Veggies – Carrots and celery sticks are classic choices with air fried or baked buffalo cauliflower, but you can also try cucumbers, sugar snap peas, or mini bell peppers.
  • Salads and slaws – Tame the heat with creamy cucumber salad, coleslaw, or cucumber tomato avocado salad.

If you love buffalo flavored dishes, don’t miss out on my spaghetti squash casserole and buffalo chicken dip.

More Easy Cauliflower Recipes

If you like this veggie, try these comforting cauliflower dishes for your next gathering:

Mashed Cauliflower

Instant Pot Cauliflower

Cauliflower Soup

Roasted Cauliflower Salad

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Parmesan Broccoli And Cauliflower

  • Air Fryer– The best one for air fried buffalo cauliflower, thanks to its large basket size.
  • Baking Sheet– My favorite one for everyday roasting.
  • Mixing Bowl– Makes it easy to toss cauliflower, or store it for later. Includes lids!

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Recipe Card

Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven) - Wholesome Yum (22)

4.97 from 53 votes☝️ Click stars to rate or click here to leave a review!

Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven)

Make this easy buffalo cauliflower recipe in the air fryer or oven, with just 4 basic ingredients! These bites are spicy, tender & flavorful.

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 7 minutes

Total: 17 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 4 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

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Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower:

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F (193 degrees C).

  2. Place the cauliflower florets in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with garlic powder (if using), sea salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat.

  3. Add cauliflower to the air fryer basket in a single layer (cook in batches if needed – don’t crowd the basket). Cook cauliflower in the air fryer for 7-10 minutes (depending on the size of your florets), shaking the basket halfway through, until browned on the edges.

  4. Meanwhile, heat together the butter and buffalo sauce. You can do this in the microwave or on the stove over medium-low heat. Whisk to combine.

  5. When the cauliflower is done, transfer it to a serving bowl. Evenly pour the buffalo sauce mixture over it, and toss to coat. (Alternatively, you can mix directly in the air fryer basket, but a bowl is easier.)

Baked Buffalo Cauliflower:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. Place the cauliflower florets in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with sea salt and black pepper. Toss to coat.

  3. Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, until browned and tender.

  4. Meanwhile, toward the end of the oven time, heat together the butter and buffalo sauce. You can do this in the microwave or on the stove over medium-low heat. Whisk to combine.

  5. When the cauliflower is done, transfer it to a serving bowl. Evenly pour the buffalo sauce mixture over it, and toss to coat.

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Related Easy Recipes

  • Cauliflower Potato Salad

  • Air Fryer Cauliflower

  • Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe

  • Air Fryer Asparagus

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories230

Fat22g

Protein3g

Total Carbs7.9g

Net Carbs4.8g

Fiber3.1g

Sugar2.8g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course:Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine:American

Keywords:buffalo cauliflower, buffalo cauliflower bites, buffalo cauliflower recipe, buffalo cauliflower wings

Calories: 230 kcal

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂

Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe

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FAQs

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

Why is my roasted cauliflower mushy? ›

First, take care not to overcrowd your pan; if the cauliflower is packed in rim-to-rim, the moisture will not be able to escape as the florets cook, which will result in soft steamed cauliflower instead of roasted. Next, don't be overly generous with the oil — a light coating is what we're after here.

Why are my cauliflower wings soggy? ›

Why are my cauliflower wings soggy? If your buffalo cauliflower wings are soggy coming out of the oven, it is possible your oven was not hot enough. In order to get these baked cauliflower wings extra crispy, it is important to use high heat. If your oven tends to run on the cool side, turn up the heat to 450°F.

Are cauliflower wings healthy? ›

Unlike chicken wings, cauliflower is free of cholesterol and low in fat and saturated fat. It's also packed with fiber and antioxidants, making it a powerful food for heart health!

Should you rinse cauliflower before cooking? ›

The separated florets have to be washed properly under a tap. This removes dirt and large parasites such as worms. The next step is cleaning the cauliflower in mildly warm water in which a little salt was dissolved. This process – which should last 10-20 minutes - destroys several microbes and large parasites.

What will adding lemon juice to the water for cooking cauliflower do? ›

Cauliflower should be cooked quartered, or cut into florets at the base of the stem. In kitchen lore, lemon juice, milk, flour and vinegar have all been recommended as additions to cauliflower cooking water, presumably to keep it white.

Why does cooked cauliflower hurt my stomach? ›

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower contain high levels of insoluble fiber, which can quickly lead to digestive upset, especially when consumed raw. Symptoms can include bloating, gas and cramping.

What brings out the Flavour of cauliflower? ›

This is true of any vegetable — boiling it will give you a flavor closer to the raw flavor, which means more bitterness and more astringency. Caramelizing it will bring out its hidden sweetness. This light, vibrant roasted cauliflower salad is a recipe I developed for the fall menu at Duo.

How do you keep roasted vegetables crispy? ›

The #1 Tip for Extra-Crispy Roasted Vegetables
  1. Preheat oven to 425℉.
  2. Prep veggies and pat dry (ensuring the veggies are dry will help avoid clumping with the cornstarch). ...
  3. Add 1 tablespoon cornstarch per pound of vegetables. ...
  4. Roast until fork-tender and crispy, 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the vegetable.
Apr 3, 2023

Why is my roasted cauliflower hard? ›

Undercooking It. Overcooking is bad, but undercooking cauliflower is an equally off-putting problem. "When making cauliflower steaks or roasting florets, if you don't roast it in the oven long enough it will be warm but still hard and unenjoyable to eat," says Michalczyk.

Can you over cook cauliflower? ›

The general rule of thumb is about 20 minutes. Cauliflower that is overcooked will lose up to 50% of its vitamins and minerals. If you want a healthy meal, cook it for just a few minutes less.

Why are my cauliflower wings not crispy? ›

To make your vegan wings recipe extra crispy, ensure that the cauliflower florets are well-coated, and shake off any excess batter. Bake them on high heat (450 degrees) and don't overcrowd the baking pan. In the last minute of cooking hit broil to get a nice golden brown crisp.

Is buffalo cauliflower healthier than wings? ›

Definitely! These cauliflower wings are a healthy vegan alternative to traditional buffalo wings. They're baked instead of fried, low-carb and there's no added sugar.

Does Buffalo Wild Wings fry their cauliflower wings? ›

Our Traditional, Boneless and Cauliflower Wings are fried then sauced or seasoned in the same bowls. We grill many items that contain allergens, therefore cross-contact may occur during the grilling process.

What to pair with buffalo cauliflower? ›

The best side dishes to serve with buffalo cauliflower are coleslaw, spinach artichoke dip, chicken wings, cheese curds, fried shrimp, blooming onion, garlic bread, sweet potato fries, Greek salad, cucumber salad, baked mac and cheese, grilled vegetables, and cornbread. Now, let's get cooking!

How long to soak cauliflower in vinegar water? ›

Produce with rough outer skin: Items such as broccoli, potatoes and cauliflower are a little harder to clean. Soak in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for 1 minute. For heads of cabbage or lettuce, it's best to separate the leaves first.

Is it worth marinating cauliflower? ›

Mildly Marinated Cauliflower is the perfect balance of pickling spices. There's a sweet tang that children will love and don't hesitate to add it to salads.

Is it OK to soak cauliflower in water? ›

Broccoli and Cauliflower

Get your cruciferous veggies squeaky clean by filling a sink with cold water and then soaking them for a few minutes. Then, gently lift them out of the water, place in a colander and rinse again under a stream of more cold water.

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