Must Make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Cauliflower buffalo wings are the meatless version of my air fryer buffalo chicken wings! Like the original, these cauliflower wings cook up to crispy perfection in the air fryer. They’re so easy to make, absolutely delicious, and they’re gluten-free as well as vegetarian.

When it comes to cooking cauliflower wings, the air fryer is the way to go. It really nails the crispy edges, tender inside combo that makes “real” chicken wings so irresistible. Plus, the air fryer keeps the cooking process quick and simple. Add in your delicious hot buffalo sauce, and these wings will really take flight!

About These Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Buffalo Wings

• Authentic texture. A light breading combined with the heat of the air fryer gets the outside of the cauliflower extra crispy, while the inside becomes tender and steamy, very similar to a chicken wing.
• Bold buffalo flavors. All you need to make the homemade buffalo sauce is hot sauce and butter. You can easily swap butter with coconut oil for a vegan version.
• Quick to make. This buffalo cauliflower is ready in 30 minutes with only 10 minutes of hands-on prep. It’s perfect as a meat-free appetizer or weeknight dinner.
• Customizable. Make your cauliflower wings with barbecue sauce or any other flavoring of your choice. They’ll come out tender-crisp and delicious either way. But I do recommend you give this buffalo version a try. The flavor is incredible!

Key Ingredients

All you need are a handful of kitchen staples to make these spicy cauliflower buffalo wings.

• Cauliflower – Cut the cauliflower into florets.
• Almond Milk – Be sure to use unsweetened. You can use another dairy or non-dairy milk if you’d like.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – A tablespoon of cider vinegar adds moisture and flavor to your wings. Distilled white vinegar will also work.
• Gluten-Free Baking Flour – Use 1-to-1 baking flour for accurate portions.
• Garlic Powder – Onion powder is a good substitute.
• Smoked Paprika – If you want even hotter wings, you can use chili powder instead. 
• Dried Parsley – You could also use finely minced fresh parsley.
• Hot Sauce – I use Frank’s Original Red Hot Sauce.
• Butter – Use unsalted butter for this recipe.

Can I Make This Recipe Vegan?

Sure thing. To make vegan buffalo cauliflower wings, substitute the butter for a vegan alternative. Some of my favorites are coconut oil or Earth Balance vegan butter. Every other ingredient in the recipe is already vegan!

How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Chicken wings are one of the most-searched categories on my site. While these wings aren’t chicken, the buffalo flavors are as tasty as ever. Vegetarians and meat lovers alike can enjoy hot buffalo wings dipped in cool ranch dressing on game day! Follow the steps below.

• Make the buffalo sauce. To a small saucepan on medium-low heat, add the hot sauce and butter. Cook until the butter is melted, making sure to stir throughout. Once the butter is melted, remove the pan from the heat and set it aside.
• Combine the almond milk and vinegar. To a small bowl, add the almond milk and apple cider vinegar. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes. This makes a plant-based buttermilk substitute that adds loads of flavor to these wings.
• Mix the dry ingredients. Combine the gluten-free baking flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried parsley, and black pepper in a separate bowl. Add the almond milk mixture to the dry ingredients, whisking until smooth (the mixture will be thick).
• Prepare the cauliflower. Next, add the cauliflower florets to a large bowl. Pour the batter over the cauliflower and toss thoroughly to make sure each floret is coated evenly.

• Assemble in the air fryer. Add the cauliflower to the air fryer in batches. Cook for 7 minutes, give the basket a shake, and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the florets are lightly browned. DO NOT overcrowd the basket. You don’t want any of the cauliflower to overlap, or it will steam instead of being crisp.
• Add sauce and serve. Pour your prepared buffalo sauce over the cauliflower wings. Toss to coat, and serve right away with bleu cheese dressing or ranch for dipping!

Tips for the Best Cauliflower Wings

• Be consistent with sizing. When cutting the cauliflower into florets, trim them as needed, so they’re all a similar size. This way, all of your wings will be perfectly cooked at the same time.
• Work in batches. If you really want your wings to come out crispy, make sure they have plenty of space in your air fryer basket. Cook in batches to avoid any overlapping.
• Coat the cauliflower evenly. When you’re coating your wings with the batter and the buffalo sauce, toss to cover them completely. This will ensure that your wings cook evenly and that every piece has its fair share of sauce.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerate. I want to emphasize that these cauliflower buffalo wings are best served fresh. But that doesn’t mean they won’t taste delicious if you refrigerate and reheat them! They just won’t be quite as crispy. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheat. Reheat buffalo cauliflower in the oven or air fryer at 400°F until hot. I don’t recommend freezing these buffalo wings.

More Air Fryer Appetizers

• Air Fryer Wonton Chips
• Air Fryer Avocado Fries
• Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
• Air Fryer Asian Brussel Sprouts
• Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes