Description
Crispy, spicy, and flavorful Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are a perfect healthy snack or appetizer. The cauliflower is coated in a buffalo sauce and panko breadcrumb mixture, then air fried to crispy perfection without the need for deep frying.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized pieces
Wet Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 cup buffalo sauce (suggested: Frank’s)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups panko bread crumbs
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Cauliflower: Wash and dry the cauliflower thoroughly; the drier the cauliflower, the crispier the final bites will be.
- Make the Buffalo Sauce Mixture: Melt the butter in a small bowl, then whisk in the avocado oil and buffalo sauce until fully combined.
- Coat the Cauliflower: Pour the buffalo sauce mixture over the cauliflower, stirring well to coat all the pieces evenly.
- Prepare the Dry Coating: In a separate bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, all-purpose flour, salt, and pepper, mixing thoroughly.
- Combine Coating and Cauliflower: Pour the breadcrumb mixture over the buffalo-coated cauliflower and toss until each piece is evenly coated.
- Air Fry in Batches: Brush the air fryer basket with avocado oil. Arrange cauliflower pieces in a single layer, ensuring space between pieces for crisping, not steaming.
- Cook: Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 18 minutes, flipping the cauliflower halfway through to ensure even crispiness.
- Serve: Enjoy warm, paired with celery sticks and your favorite dipping sauce such as blue cheese or ranch.
Notes
- Ensure the cauliflower is as dry as possible before coating to maximize crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches for best results.
- Flipping halfway through cooking helps achieve even browning.
- Substitute vegan butter for a dairy-free version.
- Adjust buffalo sauce quantity based on desired spice level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
