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Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites - featured image
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These crispy air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites are a quick, healthy, and delicious snack that mimics the texture of fried food without the guilt. Coated in a light batter and tossed in spicy buffalo sauce, they are perfect for game day or a comforting weeknight treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2.5 to 3 pounds large head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup cold sparkling water or seltzer
  • 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (or olive oil/vegan butter)
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced

Instructions

  1. Wash the cauliflower and cut it into uniform bite-sized florets (about 6-8 cups). Place in a colander.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Slowly pour in the cold sparkling water while whisking constantly until the batter reaches the consistency of heavy cream.
  4. Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and toss until fully coated. Let sit for 2 minutes.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
  6. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange coated florets in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Spray tops lightly with oil.
  7. Air fry for 12 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping florets halfway through (at 6 minutes), until golden brown and crispy. Cook in batches if necessary.
  8. While cauliflower cooks, melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Whisk in hot sauce, vinegar, and minced garlic until smooth.
  9. Transfer hot cauliflower to a clean bowl and pour buffalo sauce over it. Toss gently to coat.
  10. Serve immediately with blue cheese or ranch dressing.

Notes

[‘Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches to ensure crispiness.’, ‘Use ice-cold sparkling water to help the batter set quickly and create a crunchy shell.’, ‘Preheating the air fryer is essential to prevent steaming.’, ‘Serve immediately for the best texture, as the sauce can soften the crust if left too long.’, ‘Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 380°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispness.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer, buffalo cauliflower, healthy snack, game day food, vegetarian appetizer, crispy cauliflower, gluten-free option, vegan snack

Find it online: https://lunafeast.com/crispy-air-fryer-buffalo-cauliflower-bites-best-10-min-snack/