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

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

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Table Of Contents hide

  • 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)

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.

Is buffalo cauliflower healthier than wings? ›

If you're looking for a healthy low-carb game day snack to add to your spread for Super Bowl Sunday, make these delicious oven baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites. No, they don't taste like chicken wings. But they are definitely healthier and just as spicy and delicious!

Why is my roasted cauliflower tough? ›

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.

Why are my cauliflower wings soggy? ›

Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet.

Placing the buffalo cauliflower wings too close together on the baking sheet will cause them to steam as opposed to crisp. Give them ample room – use multiple baking sheets as needed.

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

Food Science

Cauliflower contains some phytonutrients, these nutrients may react with iron cookware and gives the cauliflower a brownish color. To prevent this add some lemon juice to the cauliflower or to the water in which it is blanched.

Why is my roasted cauliflower not crispy? ›

Like all veggies, cauliflower needs some breathing room on the pan. Otherwise, the florets will produce so much steam that they'll never turn crisp on the edges. It's better to use two pans, arranged on separate racks near the middle of the oven, than to cram too much onto one pan.

What is a good side dish for 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!

Which is the healthiest broccoli or cauliflower? ›

While they are both very nutritious vegetables, broccoli has a higher vitamin content, specifically in vitamin K and C, than cauliflower and is specifically known to be great for eye health. Broccoli florets also provide more minerals and fiber as well as contains vitamin A that isn't in cauliflower.

Does cauliflower have more carbs than potatoes? ›

Nutritionally, cauliflower is lighter in calories and carbs than potatoes and is more nutrient-dense. That's why it's popular among the low carb and weight loss communities.

What does baking soda do to cauliflower? ›

Baking soda is often used as a natural cleaning agent, and it can be used to brighten up your veggies too. Sprinkle a little in the water before boiling to prevent cauliflower from yellowing and make corn look more vibrant.

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.

How do you roast cauliflower in Martha Stewart? ›

Fold long ends of parchment under cauliflower to create a packet. Roast until knife-tender, about 40 minutes. Tear open parchment at top; roast until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. Stir together parsley, cilantro, garlic, mustard, vinegar, and remaining 1/2 cup oil in a small bowl to combine.

Why are my air fryer wings soggy? ›

Don't overlap the wings.

Air fryers make foods crispy by circulating air around them, so if there's no room for air to circulate, the wings aren't going to crisp up. That said, you may need to Air Fry in two batches.

Why does my cauliflower taste weird? ›

Bitter tasting cauliflower can be caused by too much heat or sun. It can also taste bitter from a lack of moisture, uneven watering, waiting too long to harvest, or overcooking.

Why do you soak cauliflower? ›

Let sit 5-10 minutes, remove, rinse, and eat as you please. The salt in the water helps to kill the bugs and encourage them to let go. It also might kill some surface contamination if it exists, but this isn't really the point. You should see bugs either floating or at the bottom when you remove the cauliflower.

What do you soak cauliflower in to get bugs out? ›

The salt and vinegar mixture will suck out all the dirt and bugs hidden inside the crevices of the cauliflower and leave you with a clean vegetable that is safe for eating. Once you toss the mucky water out, chop your cauliflower and rinse it in clean water before you get down to cooking it.

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.

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