Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my air fryer buffalo cauliflower recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Cauliflower – I usually grab a whole head of cauliflower and chop it into bite-sized pieces, but you can take a shortcut with pre-cut cauliflower florets. Just try to get them all about the same size, so they cook evenly. Oil – Olive oil gets the spices to stick and the florets to turn nice and golden. Any neutral oil will do the trick. Buffalo Sauce – Can’t have buffalo anything without that zesty sauce, right? I use Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, but pick your favorite hot sauce to bring that spicy punch. Butter – Mixing a bit of butter with the sauce makes it creamy and smooths out the spiciness a bit. I recommend unsalted butter, as the buffalo sauce is already salty. For my dairy-sensitive friends, you can use ghee, coconut oil, or a bit more olive oil. Seasonings – I keep it simple: just sea salt and black pepper. Sometimes I toss in a dash of garlic powder or paprika to kick up the flavor.
If you want to add breading for extra crunch or prefer a different “wing” sauce, see my original buffalo cauliflower recipe for options — you can use the same ones for air fryer bufflo cauliflower, too!
How To Make Buffalo Cauliflower In The Air Fryer
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Storage Instructions
Store: If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. They’re not as good as fresh, but some extra sauce perks them right up! Meal prep: Cut the head of cauliflower into florets and store in the fridge for 1-3 days, until you’re ready to cook. Reheat: To get that crispness back, I recommend reheating your buffalo cauliflower in the air fryer again. I tend to lose sauce during reheating, so I add more afterward.
Serving Ideas
Air fried buffalo cauliflower just isn’t the same without the fixings! Here are some of my must-haves, as well as other good pairings you can try:
Preheat your air fryer first. This step ensures that the air fryer is hot enough to immediately start cooking the cauliflower. We want it to crisp up right from the get-go! The more space your cauliflower has in the basket, the more crispy browned edges you’ll get. I just dumped mine in all at once for these pictures (photographing 8 healthy recipes in a day is no joke!), but I get better browning when I cook in 2 batches. You decide if you prefer convenience versus that browning. The cook time can vary a bit. It depends on whether you like your cauliflower crisp tender or more soft — my time here is middle of the road. Time will also vary a bit depending on the size of your florets.
Dipping Sauce – I served these with homemade ranch dressing (above). I like to drizzle some on top and top with green onions, but you can also just dunk the pieces into it. My blue cheese dressing works just as well. Both cut the heat! Veggies – Carrots and celery sticks are my go-to (also above). You can switch it up with cucumber slices, sugar snap peas, or some colorful mini peppers. Salads – My creamy cucumber salad or cucumber tomato avocado salad make the perfect fresh, crunchy chill buddies for these spicy bites. Bowls Or Tacos – These are really good on their own, but downright amazing in tacos or bowls! Stuff the saucy florets into your favorite tortillas with my creamy taco slaw and cilantro, or serve them over rice (or cauliflower rice) with one of my dressings above and a few slices of avocado. Both options are super easy and I just prep the other ingredients while I’ve got the buffalo cauliflower in the air fryer.
My Favorite Air Fryer For This Recipe
I’ve had this air fryer for years, and what I really love about it is the size—it’s perfect for a family, so I don’t have to cook so many batches of anything. Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email.
