Meet your new favorite way to enjoy cauliflower: air-fried, buffalo-spiced, and crispy in all the right places. If you’re craving something bold and crunchy, this air-fried buffalo cauliflower steak recipe delivers big flavor with a plant-based twist.
There’s something special about biting into a perfectly crispy, buffalo-spiced cauliflower steak that’s been air-fried to golden perfection. Whether you’re a die-hard buffalo sauce enthusiast or just someone searching for a plant-based dish that doesn’t skimp on texture or flavor, these cauliflower steaks are here to deliver. And here’s the kicker: you get that irresistible crunch without ever touching a deep fryer.
What’s even better is how effortlessly these steaks come together. They’re a game-changer for anyone who thought cauliflower was boring—proof that with the right twist, even the simplest ingredients can surprise you. Whether you’re stacking them on a bun or enjoying them solo, these cauliflower steaks are anything but ordinary.
Why You’ll Love This Air-Fried Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
These air-fried buffalo cauliflower steaks aren’t just another plant-based option—they’re the kind of dish that turns dinner into something a little more exciting. Here’s why they’re about to become a favorite in your kitchen:
- Crispy, Golden Goodness: The air fryer works its magic, giving you that perfect crunch without the hassle of deep frying. It’s everything you want in a comfort food dish, minus the mess.
- Bold, Spicy Flavor: If you’re a buffalo sauce fan, these steaks bring the heat in the best way possible. They’re coated in just the right amount of spice to keep things interesting without overwhelming your taste buds. Don’t like spice? Skip the sauce!
- Satisfyingly Hearty: This recipe isn’t just about flavor—it’s about creating a dish that feels substantial and filling. These cauliflower steaks have that perfect bite that makes them a true main course, not just a sidekick.
- Fun to Prep Together: Whether you’re cooking solo or with friends, there’s something enjoyable about the hands-on process of battering, air frying, and saucing these steaks. It’s the kind of recipe that turns meal prep into a fun, sensory experience.
Key Ingredients
This recipe is all about transforming simple ingredients into something special. Each component plays a role in creating those crispy, flavorful cauliflower steaks you’ll love. Here’s a closer look at what goes into making this dish:
- Cauliflower: The star of the show, cauliflower’s mild flavor and sturdy texture make it the perfect canvas for all that buffalo goodness. When sliced into thick steaks and air-fried, it turns into a satisfying, hearty base for this dish.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of the batter, giving the cauliflower that essential crispy coating. It helps the other ingredients cling to the cauliflower and creates that golden-brown crust we’re after.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch is the secret to getting that extra crunch. It lightens up the flour mixture and ensures the cauliflower comes out of the air fryer with a crisp, crackly texture.
- Soymilk: Acting as the liquid base for the wet batter, soymilk helps the flour and cornstarch adhere to the cauliflower. Its slight creaminess also adds a bit of richness to the coating.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Combined with soymilk, apple cider vinegar creates a quick vegan buttermilk substitute. This adds a subtle tang to the batter, which pairs perfectly with the spicy buffalo sauce.
- JUST Egg: Used as a binder, JUST Egg helps the batter stick to the cauliflower, ensuring an even, thick coating. Its thicker consistency gives the batter a more substantial feel, resulting in a better-textured final dish.
- Bourbon (Optional): Adding a splash of bourbon isn’t just about flavor—it also helps to tenderize the cauliflower slightly, making it more succulent. The alcohol evaporates during cooking, leaving behind a subtle depth of flavor. Feel free to skip it if you prefer.
- Hot Sauce: This is where the buffalo magic happens. Use your favorite hot sauce to bring the heat—Frank’s RedHot, Texas Pete, or Cholula are all great options. The key is to choose a sauce that’s got some kick but also a good balance of tang and spice.
How To Make This Recipe
Making these buffalo cauliflower steaks is a breeze when you break it down step by step. Let’s take a quick look at how it all comes together. For the full recipe, head to the bottom of this post.
Step 1: Prep the Cauliflower – Slice your cauliflower into thick steaks, then give them a quick boil to soften. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 2: Make the Batter and Coat the Cauliflower – Mix your dry ingredients in one bowl and your wet ingredients in another. Coat each cauliflower steak in the dry mixture, then dip it in the wet batter, and finally pack on some more of the dry mix to create a nice, even coating. Pop the steaks in the fridge to chill.
Step 3: Air Fry the Cauliflower – Spray the cauliflower steaks with a bit of oil and air fry at 400°F for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Keep an eye out for that golden, crispy finish.
Step 4: Add the Buffalo Sauce – Toss the crispy cauliflower steaks in your favorite buffalo sauce (or prepare your own by melting 1:1 ratio of vegan butter with your favorite hot sauce), then pop them back in the air fryer for a few more minutes to set the sauce and crisp up the edges.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy – Pile those steaks onto a bun or serve them up with some celery and vegan bleu cheese or ranch dressing. Either way, you’re in for a treat.
Pro Tips
Toast to PerfectionIf serving on a bun, slathering it with a little vegan butter and toasting it up is 100% essential. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to plain old buns.
Chill for the ThrillChilling the battered cauliflower before air frying is the secret to achieving that perfect crunch. It lets the coating set, giving you a crispier bite.
Spray and SlayA quick mist of oil ensures your cauliflower crisps up beautifully, giving you that golden, crunchy finish every time.
How To Serve
These air-fried buffalo cauliflower steaks are a versatile addition to any meal, offering a range of flavors and textures that can be tailored to your cravings. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty sandwich or a creative twist on a classic dish, these ideas will help you get the most out of this recipe:
- Classic Sandwich: Stack these crispy steaks on a toasted bun with vegan bleu cheese dressing, lettuce, and tomato for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
- As an Appetizer: Serve the steaks or florets with a side of vegan bleu cheese and celery sticks, or take it up a notch with a buffalo cauliflower pizza that’s sure to impress.
- Salad Topping: Chop the steaks into bite-sized pieces and toss them into a salad with mixed greens, avocado, and extra buffalo sauce, or check out this crispy buffalo cauliflower salad for a fresh, tangy twist.
- Wrapped Up: Roll the florets into a wrap with crunchy veggies, a smear of vegan ranch or bleu cheese dressing, and fresh herbs for a satisfying, portable option.
- Brunch or Snack: Use the steaks in vegan chicken and waffles for a unique brunch experience, or turn the florets into spicy vegan wings that are perfect for sharing.
FAQs
Yes, you can skip the bourbon without compromising the overall flavor. The bourbon in the recipe helps tenderize the cauliflower and adds a subtle depth of flavor, but it’s not essential. If you prefer to leave it out, just proceed with the recipe as directed—your air-fried cauliflower will still turn out deliciously crispy and flavorful.
Chilling the cauliflower after battering allows the coating to set and adhere better during frying. This step helps prevent the batter from sliding off or becoming uneven, resulting in a crispier, more uniform coating. It also gives the cauliflower time to absorb some of the flavors, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
You can easily control the heat level by choosing the right hot sauce. For a milder kick, go with something like Frank’s RedHot, or for more spice, try using Cholula or adding a dash of sriracha. You can also adjust the balance by mixing in a bit more vegan butter to mellow out the heat to your liking.
More Hearty Vegan Burgers, Tacos, And Sandwich Ideas!
- Beetroot Burgers
- Crispy Fried Tofu Sandwich
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger
- Crispy Vegan Fish Sandwich
- Smoky Roasted Cauliflower Tacos
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Air-Fried Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These air-fried buffalo cauliflower steaks are crispy, spicy, and full of flavor—no deep fryer needed. Perfect for stacking on a bun or serving as a hearty main dish. Whether you’re a buffalo sauce fan or just love a good crunch, this recipe delivers!
Ingredients
for the cauliflower
- one large head of cauliflower
- salt and pepper
for the dry ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons cayenne (optional)
for the wet ingredients
- 1 cup soymilk, whisked with 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup JUST Egg
- 2 tablespoon bourbon
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
for frying and coating
- spray oil
- at least one cup of prepared buffalo sauce. (You can also make your own by mixing a 1:1 ratio of melted vegan butter with a vinegar-based hot sauce)
to serve
- toasted hamburger buns
- cabbage or lettuce
- pickles
- red onion
- tomato and/or avocado
- vegan bleu cheese dressing
- extra buffalo sauce
- celery
Instructions
to prep the cauliflower
- To cut your cauliflower steaks, place a head of cauliflower stem side down on a cutting board. Using a large knife, slice it down the very middle. Then cut down again on each half to create 3 or 4, 1-inch thick slabs. Chop up the leftover portion of the cauliflower into little, bite-sized florets.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Place the cauliflower into the pot, let the boil return, wait about a minute, then transfer the florets to a cookie sheet with a wire rack to cool.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Leave out for 30 minutes, or throw into your refrigerator to cool.
to make the breading
- Combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic and onion powders, salt, paprika, and cayenne in a medium-sized bowl.
- Whisk the soymilk with the apple cider vinegar, JUST Egg, bourbon, and hot sauce in a separate medium-sized bowl.
- Working one piece at a time, coat the steaks and florets evenly in the dry mixture, tapping off any extra and placing it back onto the wire rack.
- Pour 3 tablespoons of the wet mixture into the dry mixture and combine with a rubber spatula.
- Working one piece at a time, dunk the steaks and florets into the wet mixture, then pack the moistened flour mixture firmly around it.
- Return the battered cauliflower back onto the wire rack and place into the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.
to air fry the cauliflower
- Spray the cauliflower steaks evenly with cooking spray.
- Place into the air fryer at 400 degrees and cook for 10 minutes, flipping the slabs over halfway through the cooking time. Apply a little more spray over any areas that look dry and cook for an additional minute or two if needed to achieve a deeply golden color all over.
- Place the buffalo sauce into a bowl, then carefully turn the steaks around in the bowl to coat.
- Place back into the air fryer and fry on each side for 3-4 minutes, or until the edges look crispy.
- Repeat the process with the florets. Air fry time will take less with the florets since they are smaller. Just give them a shake halfway through the cooking time, and spray any areas with cooking spray that look dry.
- Serve immediately on toasted hamburger buns or with celery and vegan bleu cheese dressing.
Notes
- Storage: Store any leftover cauliflower steaks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let them cool completely before storing to maintain their texture.
- Reheating: To re-crisp, pop the steaks back into the air fryer at 400°F for 5-7 minutes per side, and 6-8 minutes for florets. Give them a shake halfway through to ensure even cooking and crisping.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the cauliflower steaks up to the chilling step, then cover and refrigerate them overnight. This makes it easy to air fry them fresh the next day.
- Cooling Tip: After air frying, let the cauliflower steaks rest on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving. This allows any excess steam to escape, keeping the coating crispy.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Battered, Air-Fried
- Cuisine: American
Jessica says
What could you use in replace of bourbon? I know it will cook out and leave flavor, but I have a sensitive guest. I love everything else about this and would love to try!
erinwyso says
Hi Jessica,
I think it should be fine if you just leave it out … I hope you enjoy!
Jessica says
It was amazing Erin! Truly impressed! We left the Buffalo sauce out and made gravy instead! Wow! Then the next day, we had the left overs on a salad! I didn’t think my husband would be into it but he LOVES it! 🙏🏼
erinwyso says
Jessica, thanks so much for your feedback, so happy it was a hit!
Caitlin says
Got a Cuisinart air fryer for Christmas and tried this out. I added a bit of Panko for extra crunch. This is a phenomenal recipe. I made a quick slaw, pickled onions, and sweet and spicy pickles, and a light smear of vegan garlic aioli on the bun. Wowza!!! So good. My reluctantly vegan husband loved this haha
erinwyso says
Caitlin, so happy this turned out great with your new air fryer. Gotta love it when someone is reluctant or skeptical about a dish and it changes their mind. Enjoy your air fryer — I use mine daily and cannot imagine my kitchen without one!
Kelly Stevens says
This recipe came up when I searched for air fryer cauliflower steaks. So glad it did and that I found your blog. This was delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe! Looking forward to trying others.
Mary says
Is it possible to omit the cooking spray and still have this recipe turn out normal/ crispy? I am trying to omit all processed oils, and butters from my diet. It’s all new to me, because cooking with olive oil has been my go to for most of my life. Thank you in advance.
erinwyso says
Mary,
No, you need oil to make this crispy. A few spritzes of spray oil should be enough here. I hope you enjoy!
Elizabeth Higgins says
Pardon my slowness but it was only after getting to the ingredient’s list that I realized the “burger steaks” used here were actually cauliflower steaks. Truth be told, I could not tell the difference at all because your cauliflower steaks just looked like the real deal, Erin! I think using sweet onions would also add more flavor to the burgers instead of the red onion ones. Do you suggest serving these cauliflowers as they are with a different kind of dressing on the side? If so, any dressing that you recommend? Thank you so much!
Ann vanvleck says
That looks so good Abe I can’t wait. I don’t have air fryer but would this work in my small fry baby?
I can’t buy another appliance!
Deb says
I saw a long wire basket that sits inside of a copper pan at Bed Bath and Beyond. Do you think that works as well or close to an air fryer? I could buy one but boy, even my kitchen I’m running out of room. Your thoughts please?
Enjoy the snow. California is on fire at the moment so breathe some clean air for me too….ha!
Bett says
Alas this is a bit late, but in case you’re still interested, no, a basket in a pan isn’t anything like an air fryer. Air fryers are smaller and more focused versions of convection ovens. You can get things that seem to approach meeting in the middle between the ovens and the “fryers,” but nothing less than a convection oven will even approach what you can do with the air fryer.
Jennifer Bliss says
This is ALL KINDS OF YUM! It’s been forever and a day since my last comment…like literally YEARS…sorry about that! Mind if I link you and visit and comment more often!? I’m re-working my blogroll so I don’t lose track of my faves!
Brian Cerda says
Do they get crispy if you bake?
erinwyso says
Brian, I have not tried baking them, so I can’t say for sure. But if you try with good results, I’d love to know!
Brian Cerda says
Wow. I went to buy that egg substitute. 8 bucks for bout 4 eggs
Veganism is expensive!
erinwyso says
Brian,
VeganEgg is sold by a variety of sellers, who set prices that are not controlled by Follow Your Heart. I buy this at my Whole Foods for 6 dollars. The standard packaging holds the equivalent of a dozen eggs, so I’m not sure where you are seeing on the package that it’s the equivalent of 4 eggs?
Either way, I think making a broad, generalized statement that “Veganism is expensive” based on the price of one specific vegan product isn’t accurate or fair.
A quick google of “vegan egg substitutes” will give you plenty of choices to find alternatives or make your own egg substitutes for a variety of dishes. For example, Ener-G brand egg replacer will likely work here, but may give slightly different results. I hope you can find one that works for you!
Kristina Hjorth Jensen says
AMAZING recipe!! A favorite since I first made it.
Great job.
erinwyso says
Kristina, thanks for your feedback … I’m so happy you enjoyed it!!
Colleen McAllister says
I can’t wait to try this. I use an air fryer all the time. I have 3 of them!
erinwyso says
Now that’s commitment, Colleen! Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Joy-Marie Snell says
why use an air fryer? this is the first time i heard of the appliance.
erinwyso says
Well, I think the result shows you why: you get a crispy “fried” texture without submerging in hot oil!
Mary Anne says
Could you get the same result in the oven as well?
Hannah says
That cauliflower is seriously on point! Easily one of the best renditions I’ve seen come out of an air fryer.
erinwyso says
Thank you, Hannah!
laura says
it looks so delicious thank you for the recipe. i should try it.
Iona says
Hi Erin,
These look amazing! What type of air fryer do you use?
cheers
Iona
erinwyso says
Iona, thanks. I use GoWise because it was on sale, but I think they are all pretty much the same!