Epic Air Fryer Honey BBQ Cauliflower Wings

Key Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to prepare your cauliflower “wings” and the epic honey BBQ sauce. Scroll to the recipe card for the exact measurements.

• Cauliflower – Buy a large head of cauliflower and cut it into florets. Try to make them about the same size for consistent cooking.
• Almond Milk – You’ll need this to make the batter for the cauliflower wings. We’ll combine the almond milk with vinegar to make dairy-free buttermilk. If you don’t care about the dairy, just use regular buttermilk.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Just a tablespoon of this will do. You can also use distilled white vinegar.
• Flour – I make my BBQ cauliflower gluten-free with 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. Use an equal amount of all-purpose flour if you’re not making this recipe gluten-free.
• Spices – You’ll need garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried parsley, and black pepper.

Homemade Honey BBQ Sauce

• BBQ Sauce – Use your favorite BBQ Sauce here. I like to use Stubbs Original BBQ because it is lower in sugar.
• Honey – To sweeten things up, you’ll just need 2 tablespoons of this.
• Dijon Mustard – I find mustard adds just the right amount of tang to change up the flavor profile of the BBQ sauce.
• Sriracha Sauce – To spice things up

How to Make Air Fryer BBQ Cauliflower Wings

These honey BBQ cauliflower wings have quickly become a favorite of mine and the kids. The main parts to prepare are the batter and the sauce. Once you have those ready, you’ll be eating these wings in minutes. Here’s how to make these air fryer cauliflower wings, step-by-step.

• First, make the honey BBQ sauce. Add the BBQ sauce to a saucepan with the honey, Dijon mustard, and sriracha. Cook over medium-low heat until the sauce is simmering. Then, remove the pan from the heat and set it aside for now.
• Prep the dairy-free buttermilk. Meanwhile, to a small bowl, add almond milk and apple cider vinegar. Stir and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.

• Make the batter. Combine the gluten-free baking flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried parsley, and black pepper in a new bowl. Add your buttermilk mixture to the dry ingredients, whisking until smooth (the mixture will be thick).
• Coat the cauliflower wings. Pour the batter over the cauliflower and toss thoroughly, making sure each floret is coated evenly.

• Air fry. Set the air fryer to 400°F. Cook the cauliflower wings in batches, so you don’t overcrowd the basket. Cook for 7 minutes, give the basket a shake, and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, until the florets are lightly browned. Add the cooked cauliflower wings to a large bowl.
• Toss with sauce. Pour your prepared BBQ sauce over the air fryer cauliflower wings, and toss so they’re completely covered. Serve with ranch dressing, carrot sticks, celery sticks, and garnish with green onions!

Recipe Tips

• Size matters. When cutting your cauliflower into florets, try to make sure they are about the same size. It will help everything cook evenly. You can’t do this with a pre-cut bag of cauliflower, which is why I recommend buying a head and cutting it yourself.
• Imitate a drumstick. If you like something to “hold onto,” kinda like you do with a chicken wing, leave part of the stem on the cauliflower. It makes the BBQ cauliflower look like drumsticks!
• Use oil spray. Do not use non-stick spray, like PAM, in the air fryer, as it can damage the basket coating. I use Chosen Foods Avocado Oil, but a similar oil spray will work.
• Get the wings space. Don’t crowd the air fryer. You don’t want your cauliflower wings touching at all. Even if that means you’re doing 2-3 batches. Giving the cauliflower wings enough room allows them to cook and brown properly.
• Toss it. Don’t skip shaking the basket at the halfway point. You want to toss or flip your cauliflower wings so that both sides get that browning, not just one.

What to Serve With BBQ Cauliflower

Looking for some tasty serving ideas for your BBQ cauliflower wings? Try these:

• Dipping sauce. Serve with ranch dressing or creamy white queso dip. Add cut celery and carrots on the side.
• Appetizers. Enjoy cauliflower wings on game day alongside homemade hummus and pita chips, sheet pan chicken nachos, and these saucy buffalo chicken meatballs.
• Fries. Try these easy air fryer zucchini fries or crispy air fryer pommes frites.

How to Store

• Refrigerate. These BBQ cauliflower wings are best eaten fresh. However, you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat. Return your cauliflower to the air fryer or reheat it in the oven at 400ºF until it’s hot and crispy again.

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