Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (Printable Version)

Crispy, spicy cauliflower bites with tangy buffalo sauce, ideal for snacks or appetizers.

# What You 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 ground 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)

# How to Make It:

01 - Set the air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat.
02 - In a large bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Whisk in milk until the batter is smooth.
03 - Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, coating thoroughly. Shake off excess before cooking.
04 - Place the battered florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crisp.
05 - While the cauliflower cooks, stir together buffalo hot sauce, melted butter, and honey or maple syrup if using.
06 - Transfer the cooked florets to the sauce bowl and toss to coat evenly.
07 - Serve immediately with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and ranch or blue cheese dressing as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crispy exterior gives way to tender cauliflower that actually tastes like something, not just a vehicle for sauce.
  • You get that addictive buffalo wing experience without the meat guilt or the cleanup hassle.
  • Ready in under 35 minutes, which means you can pull these together faster than delivery arrives.
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket. If the florets touch, they steam instead of crisp. Work in batches if needed.
  • Add the honey or maple syrup to your sauce—it sounds optional but it's the difference between spicy and actually crave-able. That touch of sweetness prevents flavor fatigue.
03 -
  • For deeper flavor, add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika to the batter itself, not just the sauce.
  • The dressing matters more than you think—use actual blue cheese or good quality ranch, because that cool, creamy counterpoint is where the magic lives.
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