Crispy Spicy Tangy Cauliflower (Printable Version)

Crispy and flavorful cauliflower bites with a spicy buffalo-style sauce, perfect for snacks or appetizers.

# What You Need:

→ 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)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add milk and whisk until a smooth batter forms.
03 - Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring complete coating, and shake off any excess.
04 - Arrange battered florets in a single layer within the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 minutes, shaking basket halfway through, until golden and crisp.
05 - While cauliflower cooks, combine buffalo hot sauce, melted butter, and honey or maple syrup in a mixing bowl.
06 - Transfer hot cauliflower directly to the buffalo sauce and toss until evenly coated.
07 - Serve immediately with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're crispy on the outside and tender inside, with none of the greasiness of fried wings.
  • The buffalo sauce clings perfectly to every floret, so you get flavor in every bite.
  • Everyone eats them, even the people who claim they don't like vegetables.
02 -
  • Don't skip shaking the basket halfway through—it's the difference between evenly golden and some pale spots.
  • Transfer the cauliflower to the sauce immediately while it's still hot, because the warmth helps the sauce stick and flavors meld together.
03 -
  • Use the largest florets you can find—they stay tender inside while the outside gets golden and crispy.
  • Don't skip the honey or maple syrup in the sauce if you can help it; it rounds out the heat in a way that makes people want to keep eating.
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