Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower (Vegan & Whole30 option)

The perfect party appetizer, this Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is ready in 15 minutes and is the perfect crowd-pleasing, side dish, or low carb snack for every occasion! Bake it in the air fryer or oven, and serve it with your favorite dipping sauces or as part of a party board! Vegan and Whole30 options. 

First up for snack week, these cauliflower bites are an easy way to sneak more veggies into your whole family’s diets. Don’t worry, though, we’ve got you covered with sweet, savory, and everything in between! Stay tuned throughout the week to find your favorite. 

The Perfect Vegetable for Every Season

Can you believe we’re halfway through August already? Seriously, where has the time gone? Of course, I love summer and all the fresh produce that comes with it. However, there’s just something about the warm dishes and comforting recipes that come with the cooler weather, and I’m already gearing up with all things pumpkin. From recipes like Vegan Pumpkin Bread with Dark Chocolate Chips, Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Overnight Oats, my Pumpkin Frittata with Fried Garlic and Herbs, and more, I am definitely ready. 

However, I’ll refrain myself until October for those recipes. For now, there’s plenty to look forward to until then. After all, the kids are back to school, fall sports are beginning, and the holiday season is on its way! That means we’re all running around from place to place. As a result, staying fueled with nourishing snacks can be a challenge, and fitting veggies into our day isn’t always a breeze. So, I figured the least I could do was to try to make all of our lives a bit easier with a full week of wholesome snacks that can be prepped ahead of time and enjoyed by all starting with a vegetable dish your kids will actually want to eat! 

Ready to get started? Let’s make air-fried cauliflower! 

Wholesome “Snack Attack” Ingredients

If you’ve ever looked at a package of buffalo cauliflower at the store, you might’ve noticed that most of the time it’s made with strange chemicals and not so allergy-friendly ingredients. So, to help create an easy dish all your guests will love, I made a few simple swaps and kept the ingredients to a minimum. To get started you’ll need the following items. 

Cauliflower Florets – For easy cooking, I used pre-made florets. However, you could use a whole head as well. Just make sure to remove the stem. 

Oil – I used a cooking oil spray to coat the cauliflower, but liquid oil works, too. For both spray oil and liquid varieties, I recommend using unrefined coconut oil or olive oil. 

Note: If you use regular oil, be careful not to use more than 1 teaspoon! Otherwise, the pieces won’t get crispy. 

Seasonings – For this recipe, I opted for a buffalo ranch flavor using garlic powder, salt, parsley, dill, and pepper, but feel free to experiment with your own seasonings and combinations to find your favorite. 

Buffalo Sauce – Any buffalo sauce you have on hand will do, but if you’re looking for a Whole30 option, try out Primal Kitchen Or New Primal! 

Easy Ways to Make Buffalo Cauliflower with a Twist of Ranch

Not just another cauliflower dish, my favorite thing about this recipe is the addition of our Ranch style seasonings! Plus, it’s super simple to make. In just 5 steps and 15 minutes, you’ll be ready to eat, and cleaning up is a breeze, thanks to the air fryer. 

First, place the cauliflower in a large bowl, and coat it with oil or oil spray. Then, in a small bowl, whisk together the spices and dried herbs. 

Coat the cauliflower florets with the buffalo sauce, add in the spice mixture, and toss the ingredients until the cauliflower is evenly covered. 

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees, and add the buffalo cauliflower. Let it cook for 12-14 minutes, making sure to shake it halfway through cooking, and enjoy! 

Oven Option

No air fryer? No problem! These buffalo cauliflower bites work just as well in the oven and are still super quick. Not to mention, the steps are basically the same! You’ll still want to toss the cauliflower in the sauce and seasonings. However, instead of adding them to the air fryer, place them on a lightly greased sheet pan, and let them bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, if you like your pieces extra crispy, turn on the broiler for another minute or two, and you’re done! 

Air Fryer Tips

Okay, I know I said this recipe was super easy, and it is! However, there are always ways to improve, right? So, for even tastier buffalo cauliflower pieces, make sure to follow these simple tips. 

1. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer! Make sure all of the florets are spread out in a single layer in the bottom of the basket before cooking. This will help them cook evenly and ensure that every bite is perfectly crunchy. 
   
2. Cook in batches. If your air fryer is not big enough to fit all of the cauliflower, go ahead and cook it in separate batches. However, it is important to note that the second batch will likely take less time to cook, because the air fryer will already be plenty warm. So, be sure to keep a close eye on it!
   
3. Add more oil. If your cauliflower looks a bit dry when you pull it out to give it a shake, go ahead and add another spritz or drizzle of oil. This will help it crisp up and prevent pieces from burning.

Dipping Sauces

We all love a good sauce, right? Personally, my favorite way to dip this buffalo cauliflower recipe is with my Spicy Vegan Ranch! However, it would also taste great with Herb and Garlic Aioli or Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce. 

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

For the best taste, I recommend eating these cauliflower bites within a few hours. However, if you do happen to have leftovers, make sure to store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Then, when you’re ready to eat them, just pop them back in the air fryer for a minute or two. Or, place the buffalo cauliflower bites under the broiler until they are warm. 

Print

In my opinion, this recipe has it all! It’s nutritious, tastes like everyone’s favorite buffalo wings, and is super easy to make. I call that a winner! I hope you love it as much as I do. If so, be sure to let me know what you’re serving it with down in the comments below! 

Cheers, 

LC