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With over hundreds of 5-star reviews, you can be sure these Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower wings will be a hit! With just 5 ingredients, they’re incredibly easy to make (and ready in under 20 minutes). They’re perfect as an appetizer or side dish, and pair deliciously with your favorite creamy dip.

This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is an easy, vegan recipe that requires just 20 minutes to make and is complete with your favorite creamy dip!
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I absolutely love making air fryer recipes, and this one is at the top of my list. It’s perfect when you’re looking for something savory and totally satisfying.

Since this cauliflower has no breading and is cooked in an air fryer, it’s a great healthy alternative to fried buffalo wings (and my bet is you’ll like them more than traditional wings – check the reader comment below!).

Reader rating

★★★★★

“Delicious! My husband said he liked it better than Buffalo Wild Wings chicken wings.” —DL

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Close up photo of orange cauliflower with buffalo sauce, celery, and ranch.
Cooking in the air fryer gives the outside a crispy texture, meaning you don’t need to deep fry these (like traditional buffalo wings)!

Key Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients that together make the best buffalo cauliflower…ever. Jump to the recipe card for all measurements!

  • Cauliflower: We tested both whole heads and pre-cut bags. Fresh florets work best, cut to even bite-sized pieces for uniform cooking.
  • Buffalo Sauce: We love Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce for its classic tangy heat, but any buffalo-style sauce works.
  • Olive Oil: Helps the cauliflower edges caramelize in the air fryer. Avocado oil also tested well.
  • Garlic Powder & Salt: Simple pantry seasoning that boosts flavor and balances heat.

Want them breaded?

While these do get crispy in the air fryer, I can understand wanting a breaded wing! To do this, follow this guide to Sticky Orange Cauliflower (without the sticky orange sauce, of course!). The breading works well in the air fryer, then you would just drizzle on buffalo sauce after cooking!

Buffalo cauliflower in an air fryer.
I use a basket air fryer, but this recipe will also work with tray types!

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings (5 Ingredients)

4.75 from 463 ratings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
These Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower wings are a guaranteed hit! Just 5 ingredients and 20 minutes for the perfect spicy, crispy appetizer or side.

Ingredients 

  • ½ head cauliflower
  • ½ cup buffalo sauce, we used Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce, 120 mL
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil, 30 mL
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • To serve: creamy dip (like ranch or bleu cheese) and celery stalks
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Instructions 

  • Prep: Cut ½ head cauliflower into bite-sized florets. In a large bowl, gently stir together cauliflower, ½ cup buffalo sauce, 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp salt.
    Pouring buffalo sauce onto cauliflower.
  • Cook: Lightly grease your air fryer basket or rack. Arrange cauliflower in a single layer (working in batches if they don't all fit in a single layer). Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, or until fork tender and slightly browned.
    Cauliflower in an air fryer.
  • Serve: Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce and celery sticks.
    Buffalo flavored cauliflower on a plate with celery.

Notes

To cook these cauliflower wings in an oven, bake in a single layer at 450°F (230°C) for about 25 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.5g | Protein: 1.6g | Fat: 14.1g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 717mg | Potassium: 223mg | Fiber: 1.8g | Sugar: 1.9g | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0mg

Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.

did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!

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4.75 from 463 votes (431 ratings without comment)

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51 Comments

  1. john f says:

    3 stars
    I wanted this to be great but despite following the recipe almost exactly (added onion powder instead of salt) the resulting dish was very salty. This comes from the concentrated Frank’s buffalo hot sauce and I think it needs to be mixed with something to reduce that overpowering salty taste. Maybe it’s cornstarch is someone suggested or perhaps something else. Anyway, my quest for perfect cauliflower buffalo wings continues.

  2. Jennifer says:

    5 stars
    Hi Sara I love your blog you have such great ideas! So I was wondering is the time/temp your have for your air fryer recipes the same for using a convection oven, which is essentially a giant air fryer? Thanks!

    1. Sarah Bond says:

      Yes time and temps should be about the same, but just be sure to keep an eye and adjust time as needed!

  3. DL says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! My husband said he liked it better than Buffalo Wild Wings chicken wings. Wonderful alone with blue cheese dressing and would be great on top of a salad also. I used Buffalo Wild Wings Medium sauce which is available to purchase at grocery store. Spicy and delicious. Will make again – thank you!

    1. Sarah Bond says:

      I’m so happy to hear it was a hit! 😀

  4. Deborah Crenshaw says:

    5 stars
    This is a great recipe!!! I steamed my cauliflower befor beginning the recipe and it was DELICIOUS!!!!

    1. Sarah Bond says:

      Yay! So happy to hear it, Deborah! That’s a great idea 😀

  5. Sara says:

    My son is 62 years old and he just told me he loves fried cauliflower! We have an air fryer so I will be giving this recipe a try and him a surprise!

    1. Sarah Bond says:

      Oh what a great gift! So excited for him to get cooking with it! 😀

    2. Dwbbie says:

      5 stars
      is it possible to make this in my crockpot

    3. Sarah Bond says:

      I don’t think that would work well with this one, they won’t get crispy 🙂

  6. Greta Richardson says:

    5 stars
    Exceptional! Easy, Quick & Delicious! I’ve made in 3 times in the last 2 weeks, it’s THAT GOOD! (One time, since a guest wasn’t fond of spicy food, so I used the mild sauce and added mayonnaise (the kind made w/avocado oil) It was a huge hit, loves by all.

    1. Sarah Bond says:

      I’m so happy to hear it, Greta! Enjoy! 😀