Crispy Spicy Tangy Cauliflower (Print)

Crispy, spicy cauliflower bites with bold buffalo flavor perfect for snacking or sharing.

# Components:

→ 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 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)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add milk and whisk until smooth.
03 - Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring even coating. Shake off excess batter.
04 - Arrange battered florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air-fry for 15 minutes, shaking basket halfway, until golden and crisp.
05 - Combine buffalo hot sauce, melted butter, and honey or maple syrup in a large bowl.
06 - Transfer hot cauliflower immediately to the sauce and toss until evenly coated.
07 - Serve warm with celery, carrot sticks, and ranch or blue cheese dressing if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come together in under 40 minutes, which means snack cravings can actually be solved instead of scrolled past.
  • The batter gets impossibly crispy in an air fryer, no deep-frying required, so your kitchen doesn't smell like a restaurant for three days.
  • This is the one vegetable dish that makes even wing lovers forget they're eating vegetables.
02 -
  • Don't skip shaking the basket halfway through cooking, or the bottom florets will steam instead of crisp, and you'll lose what makes these special.
  • If your batter feels too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time until it flows like a light pancake batter—this changes everything about the final texture.
03 -
  • Let your cauliflower florets dry slightly after cutting them so the batter clings better and you get a crisper, more even coat.
  • If you're doubling the batch, resist the urge to overfill the air fryer basket—give each floret space to breathe so hot air circulates all around, or you'll have some that stay soft.
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