Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (Printable)

Crispy, spicy cauliflower bites bursting with tangy buffalo flavor, perfect for snacks or appetizers.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cauliflower

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika
05 - ½ teaspoon salt
06 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
07 - 1 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)

→ Buffalo Sauce

08 - ½ cup buffalo hot sauce
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
10 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

→ For Serving

11 - Celery sticks
12 - Carrot sticks
13 - Ranch or blue cheese dressing (optional)

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add milk and mix until smooth batter forms.
03 - Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring even coverage. Shake off excess batter.
04 - Arrange coated florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crisp.
05 - Combine buffalo hot sauce, melted butter, and honey or maple syrup in a large bowl.
06 - Transfer hot cauliflower to the sauce bowl and toss until evenly coated.
07 - Serve immediately with celery, carrot sticks, and optional ranch or blue cheese dressing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're genuinely crispy on the outside and tender within, with zero apology for being vegetarian.
  • The air fryer does the heavy lifting, so you're never standing over hot oil worried about splatters.
  • You can make a huge batch in 35 minutes and watch people forget they're eating vegetables.
02 -
  • Don't skip shaking the basket halfway through—the difference between golden and burnt is honestly just those 7-8 minutes of even heat.
  • Toss the cauliflower in the sauce while it's still hot, or the sauce won't stick the way you want it to.
03 -
  • Pat your cauliflower florets dry before battering—any excess moisture will steam instead of crisp up.
  • If your batter is too thick, thin it with milk one tablespoon at a time until you get the right consistency.
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