Buffalo Cauliflower in the Air Fryer (Crispy & Easy!)

Buffalo cauliflower in air fryer = crispy, saucy, and next-level delicious. A quick chill before frying locks in the crunch, allowing the air fryer to work its magic for perfectly spicy, golden bites. These are crispy, just the right amount of saucy, and impossible to stop eating.

Some buffalo cauliflower recipes are fine. They’re crispy enough. They do the job. But this one? This one is perfection. Thanks to a few small upgrades (hello, bourbon!), these air-fried bites are crispy, deeply flavorful, and just the right amount of spicy—all without a deep fryer in sight. (And if bourbon isn’t your thing? No worries—it’s optional but highly recommended for optimal crispiness.)

The secret? A chill-before-frying method that locks in a crunchy, KFC-style coating that every drop of buffalo sauce loves to cling to. Whether you’re in the mood for a snack, cauliflower tacos, grain bowls, salads, or just eating them straight from the air fryer with creamy vegan ranch, this recipe brings the heat and the crunch—every time.

Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe

If you’ve ever had buffalo cauliflower in the air fryer that turned out meh—too soggy, too dry, or just missing that crave-worthy crunch—this recipe fixes all of that. The double-battered coating locks in texture, the air fryer creates that deep-fried-style crispiness, and the buffalo sauce clings to every nook and cranny. It’s crispy, saucy, and completely plant-based comfort food, with an easy gluten-free option. Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Legitimately Crispy (No Sad, Soft Bites Here!) The chill-before-frying method lets the batter set, creating a crispier, crackly texture that holds up even after saucing.
• Buffalo Sauce That Actually Sticks: Thanks to a textured, double-coated batter, the sauce seeps into all the right places instead of sliding off.
• Air-Fried, Not Deep-Fried: All the crunch with way less oil. The air fryer mimics deep-frying by blasting each floret with heat for a golden, crispy finish.
• Versatile For Any Meal: Pile them into tacos, grain bowls, and salads, or serve with vegan ranch or bleu cheese and celery for a classic game-day snack.
• Bourbon Makes It Better (But Optional!) A small splash in the batter helps create a lighter, crispier shell—but it’s 100% optional if you’d rather skip it.
• Easy To Make Gluten-Free: Just swap all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend and add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch for the best crunch.

Key Ingredients for Buffalo Cauliflower

Great buffalo cauliflower starts with the right ingredients—each one playing a critical role in creating that crispy, saucy perfection. From the double-battered coating to the sticky buffalo sauce that clings to every bite, here’s what makes this recipe stand out.

• Cauliflower: The star of the show! Cauliflower’s sturdy texture makes it the perfect base for a crispy coating, holding up to the high heat of the air fryer. Cut it into evenly sized florets so they cook at the same rate and develop that golden, air-fried crunch.
• All-Purpose Flour: Gives the breading its structure, creating that golden, craggy texture that buffalo sauce loves to cling to. Want to make it gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add 1 extra tablespoon of cornstarch to enhance crispiness.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, and Paprika: This trio of spices builds a savory, slightly smoky base in the batter. Garlic powder brings depth and umami, onion powder adds a sweet-savory balance, and paprika adds a touch of warm smokiness and helps boost the rocket-red color!
• Soymilk and Apple Cider Vinegar (Vegan Buttermilk Hack): Whisking apple cider vinegar into soymilk creates a quick vegan buttermilk, which helps the batter stick to the cauliflower while adding a slight tang that complements the heat of the buffalo sauce.
• JUST Egg (For the Perfect Batter Binding!): JUST Egg acts as the binder in this batter, helping the flour mixture cling evenly to the cauliflower so every bite gets that crispy, textured coating. It also contributes to a beautiful golden finish after air frying, giving the cauliflower that deep-fried look and feel—without the deep fryer.
• Bourbon (Optional, but Recommended): A small splash of bourbon in the batter helps create a lighter, crispier crust thanks to its fast-evaporating alcohol. It also adds a hint of depth to the batter (but no boozy taste). If you prefer to skip it, no problem—your cauliflower will still turn out crispy!
• Hot Sauce (for a Flavor Boost in the Batter!): A little hot sauce mixed into the batter adds a subtle layer of heat and tang before the buffalo sauce even goes on. This extra step deepens the buffalo flavor from the inside out.
• Spray Oil (No Deep Frying Needed!): A quick spritz of high-heat spray oil (like avocado or canola) helps the coating crisp up without the need for deep frying. You only need a light spray—the air fryer does the rest!
• Prepared Buffalo Sauce: Buffalo sauce is the final step in creating that signature spicy, tangy, buttery coating. Look for vinegar-based buffalo sauces for the best flavor. We love using Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce.

Why Bourbon Makes This the Crispiest Buffalo Cauliflower

Bourbon in buffalo cauliflower? Stay with me. This isn’t about making your snack boozy—it’s about science, texture, and next-level crispiness. A small splash of bourbon in the batter helps create a lighter, crispier crust with better sauce absorption, and here’s why:

• It Evaporates Faster = Crispier Coating: Bourbon is mostly ethanol and water, and ethanol evaporates at a lower temperature than water. Translation? Your batter dries out faster in the air fryer, leaving behind a crispier, crunchier shell. Less moisture means better crunch, mimicking deep-frying without all the oil.
• More Air Pockets = More Sauce Cling: Alcohol in the batter slows down gluten formation, keeping the coating lighter and more aerated. This creates tiny cracks and pockets in the crispy shell, which means more places for buffalo sauce to seep in and stick. No sad, slippery bites here.
• Better Browning = Golden, Deep-Fried Look: Bourbon has natural sugars from the corn and oak barrels it’s aged in. These sugars caramelize beautifully in high heat, helping the cauliflower develop that deep golden color—no deep fryer required.
• Optional, But Highly Recommended: If you don’t have bourbon (or prefer to skip it), no problem—your cauliflower will still be crispy. But if you want the ultimate crunch + next-level flavor, that tiny splash makes a big difference.
• Using Gluten-Free Flour? Even without gluten, bourbon still helps create a crispier texture and deeper golden color by evaporating quickly and encouraging caramelization. It won’t inhibit gluten (because there is none), but it will still make your coating lighter and crispier!
• Is Vegan Bourbon? Some are. Check out Barnivore for vegan options!

How to Make Buffalo Cauliflower in the Air Fryer

Crispy, saucy, and completely irresistible, this buffalo cauliflower in the air fryer comes together in just a few easy steps. No deep frying, no sad, soggy breading—just pure crispy, buffalo-sauced perfection. Here’s how it all goes down: coat, chill, crisp, sauce, repeat. For full recipe details, scroll to the end of this post!

• Step 1: Prep the Cauliflower – Start with a big, beautiful head of cauliflower (look for one that’s firm, heavy for its size, and free from dark spots or mushy areas), and cut it into evenly sized florets. (We want them bite-sized, not dinosaur-sized, so they cook evenly and get crispy all over.)
• Step 2: Give them a quick blanch! Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, toss in the florets, and let the water return to a boil. After one minute, transfer them to a wire rack over a baking sheet to cool completely. This step softens them slightly while keeping them crisp-tender inside after air frying.
• Step 3: Whisk Up the Batter – In one bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and spices (this is where all that savory, smoky, garlicky goodness happens). In another, whisk JUST Egg, soymilk + vinegar, hot sauce, and bourbon (if using) into a smooth batter.
• Step 4: Double Dip for Max Crispiness – Time to coat! Flour → Wet Batter → Flour Again. This double-dip action creates a thicker, textured coating that clings to every floret like it was born for buffalo sauce.

• Step 5: Chill the Battered Cauliflower – Now, this part is key! Pop the battered cauliflower in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps the coating firm up and stick better—aka, no sad breading sliding off mid-bite.
• Step 6: Air Fry to Crispy, Golden Perfection – Spray the cauliflower lightly with oil (no need for a deep fry dunk!), then air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes. Flip, give them another spritz, and cook 4 more minutes until they look golden, craggy, and deeply crispy.
• Step 7: Sauce It Up! – Toss the hot, crispy cauliflower in buffalo sauce and pop them back in the air fryer for 2 minutes. This helps the sauce stick and caramelize without making them soggy. Serve immediately for maximum buffalo cauliflower vibes.

Pro Tips for Extra-Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower

You want buffalo cauliflower in the air fryer that’s crispy, golden, and sauce-grabbing in all the right ways. Not soggy. Not sad. Just perfectly crunchy, air-fried magic. Here’s how to make that happen:

• Chill the battered cauliflower (yes, really!): This is the #1 trick for keeping the coating intact. A quick 30-minute chill before air frying sets the batter, meaning no weird sliding or peeling when you toss it in buffalo sauce later.
• Don’t skimp on the double dip: One coat of flour → wet batter → another coat of flour = max crunch factor. This layering traps air pockets in the breading, making it crispier, craggier, and absolutely sauce-cling-worthy.
• Single layer in the air fryer (crowding = steaming = sad cauliflower): If you stack them too close, the florets steam instead of crisping. Give them room to breathe—you may need to cook in batches, but it’s worth it.
• Spray oil = your crispy BFF: A light, even mist of oil over the cauliflower before air frying helps lock in that deep-fried texture. A good, even spritz does the trick.
• Lock in the buffalo sauce (trust the process): After air frying, toss the bites into the buffalo sauce, making sure it gets into all the cracks and crevices. Pop it back into the air fryer for a couple of minutes for a mind-blowing texture. Skip this step and you’re missing out!
• Eat immediately (crispy waits for no one): Buffalo cauliflower is best fresh out of the air fryer. If you let it sit too long, the coating starts absorbing moisture from the sauce—and no one wants that. Devour accordingly.

Serving Ideas & What to Eat With Buffalo Cauliflower

Buffalo cauliflower in the air fryer is not just a snack—it’s a whole vibe. Whether you’re dunking it in ranch, piling it into tacos, or leveling up your salad game, there are endless ways to serve these crispy, saucy bites. Here’s how to make them the star of any meal.

• Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos: Stuff warm tortillas with buffalo cauliflower, shredded lettuce, avocado slices, and a drizzle of vegan ranch (because, balance). Top with cilantro and pickled onions for extra zing.
• Buffalo Cauliflower Salad: Want to feel like you’re eating a salad but still winning at life? Toss these crispy bites onto a bed of crisp vegetables like arugula or romaine, add cherry tomatoes, sliced avocado, red onion, and vegan bleu cheese dressing. Boom—instant upgrade.
• Buffalo Cauliflower Wraps: Take everything you love about the salad version and wrap it in a warm tortilla. Add some crunchy slaw, a drizzle of hot sauce, and a swipe of vegan mayo for good measure.
• Classic Wings-Style Platter: Keep it old-school with buffalo cauliflower, celery sticks, carrot sticks, and a side of vegan ranch or bleu cheese dressing. Perfect for game day, snack time, or dinner when only crispy and spicy will do.
• Buffalo Cauliflower Grain Bowl: Load up a bowl with cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and crispy buffalo cauliflower. Top with vegan sour cream, fresh lime juice, and chopped scallions for a flavor-packed, filling meal.

FAQs

More Crispy & Spicy Cauliflower Recipes to Try

• Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Salad
• Firecracker Cauliflower
• Crispy Air-Fried Buffalo Cauliflower Steaks
• Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza
• Smoky Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

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