Gluten free vegan air fryer buffalo cauliflower is a quick and easy recipe essential to any game day, happy hour party, or random Thursday.
recipe originally published June 15, 2017
want more? see: Air Fryer Recipe Collection
Want more cauliflower? See this cauliflower recipe collection for more menu ideas!
Table of Contents - Jump to any section
- Best Air Fryer Recipes
- Benefits of An Air Fryer
- Tips For The Best Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Baking Instructions for Buffalo Cauliflower
- Recipe Notes
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
It is no secret that cauliflower is one of my favorite veggies, especially lately.
Also no secret that I love spicy, and everything buffalo sauced.
This quick and easy recipe could not be tastier – definitely one to wow guests at your next party, BBQ, or random Thursday.
I’d probably go ahead and plan for a double batch.
At least.
Benefits of An Air Fryer
- Air frying is often a healthier, lower calorie alternative
- Light and crisp "fried" texture with little to no oil
- No deep frying in oil - no heavy greasy result
- Fry / reheat without turning on the oven! A summertime must
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Chop cauliflower pieces into uniform size for even cooking
- After rinsing, allow cauliflower pieces to dry completely
- Gluten free? a GF flour yields the same result as regular flour in original recipe
- Soy free? Substituting your favorite plant milk is fine
- Oil free? Use these Non Stick Parchment Air Fryer Liners
- No air fryer? See following baking instructions.
Baking instructions for Buffalo Cauliflower
If you do not yet have an air fryer, these baking instructions give you seriously tasty Buffalo Cauliflower bites. Not going to lie, the crisp is best with the air fryer, but Baked Buffalo Cauliflower is a very close second. Watch closely near the end of the cook time, and continue to turn for even cooking coverage.
- Preheat oven to 400 °F
- Arrange prepared cauliflower in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet
- Roast for 15 minutes
- Remove from oven and using tongs, carefully turn cauliflower pieces
- Return to oven for another 8-10 minutes
Easy to find ingredients
- cauliflower
- flour
- spices
- plant milk
- oil spray (optional - see notes!)
- hot sauce
recipe notes
The recipe below is printed just as the original appears in JL’s book. See my changes here:
- gluten free: I have used both gluten free all purpose flour, and gluten free rice flour
- oil free: use parchment like these Non Stick Perforated Parchment Air Fryer Liners, and omit the butter from the hot sauce mixture
- soy free: use an alternative milk - hemp, cashew, almond, rice
- Dip buffalo Cauliflower in Celery Ranch Dressing – perfect flavor pairing!
Vegan Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower recipe reprinted with permission from The Vegan Air Fryer, copyright © 2017 by JL Fields.
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Vegan Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Vegan Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower - tangy and spicy, this quick and easy recipe is essential to any game day, happy hour party, or random Thursday.
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour *(see note, GF flour works as well)
- 1 teaspoon vegan chicken bouillon granules
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried chipotle chile flakes
- 1 cup soy milk
- canola oil spray
- 2 tablespoons nondairy butter
- ½ cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce or your favorite
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Cut the cauliflower into bite-size pieces. Rinse and drain the cauliflower pieces.
- Combine the flour, bouillon granules, cayenne, chili powder, paprika, and chipotle flakes in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in the milk until a thick batter is formed.
- Spray the air fryer basket with canola oil and preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 10 minutes.
- While the air fryer is preheating, toss the cauliflower in the batter. Transfer the battered cauliflower to the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 minutes on 390°F. Using tongs, turn the cauliflower pieces at 10 minutes (don’t be alarmed if they stick).
- After turning the cauliflower, heat the butter, hot sauce, and garlic in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to simmer, and cover.
- Once the cauliflower is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower and toss gently with tongs. Serve immediately.
Notes
- *gluten free: I have used both gluten free all purpose flour, and gluten free rice flour.
- **oil free: use parchment like these Non Stick Perforated Parchment Air Fryer Liners, and omit the butter from the hot sauce mixture.
- ***soy free: use an alternative milk - hemp, cashew, almond, rice.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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8-in-1 Air Fryer -
Air fryer Liners
-
Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
-
Better Than Bouillon, No Chicken Base, Vegan Certified 8 oz.
-
365 Everyday Value, Cayenne Pepper, 1.76 Ounce
-
365 Everyday Value, Chili Powder Blend, 2.05 Ounce
-
Smoked Paprika
-
Frank's RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce (American Hot Sauce, Gluten Free), 5 fl oz
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 191Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 230mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 8gSugar: 8gProtein: 13g
nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.
about Kristina:
Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food! Read more...
spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Dianna Brogden says
The perforated parchment paper sounds like a great way to cook battered veggies. Are you aware of any perforated parchment paper made for the air fryer ovens (rectangular or square)?
Kristina Sloggett says
yes, it really is great for battered foods! they do make square, like these: Square Parchment and rectangle like these: Rectangle Parchment. hope that helps!
Michele says
How is this "#glutenfree", if you use flour?
Kristina Sloggett says
hi Michele. if you see the note just above the recipe and also below in the instructions of the recipe, I explain that I shared the recipe as is from my friend's book, and noted that my using gluten free all purpose flour worked just fine:
(just before recipe) Note: this recipe below is printed just as the original appears in JL's book. I used cashew milk (because it is what I generally have in my kitchen), and gluten free all purpose flour (again, all I have), making mine soy and gluten free as well. The result was great!
(within recipe instructions) *gluten free: I have used both gluten free all purpose flour, and gluten free rice flour.
**oil free: use parchment like these Non Stick Perforated Parchment Air Fryer Liners, and omit the butter from the hot sauce mixture.
***soy free: use an alternative milk – hemp, cashew, almond, rice.
Yael Tamar says
Amazing!! Mouth watering! Will make again and again
Hanne says
I am always late to the party but I do arrive. The idea of being able to make a scrumptious dish like this without having to heat up the kitchen is amazing. Air fryer here I come. Also...I invited you to my new Aquafaba group board on Pinterest because you love to play with it too. -Hanne
Kristina Sloggett says
air frying is THE BEST - in the summertime, we rarely fire up the big oven, which is nice. and THANK YOU for the invite - accepted and will begin contributing soon! cheers Hanne - Kristina
JL Fields says
Nice "-free" options for my very "-full" recipe! 😉 So glad you like this! xo
Kristina Sloggett says
hee! good to know the options work, right? (and I have made this since with both soy milk AND oil, so... YUM. 🙂
J and I are both loving this book, congrats again! (and see you SOON.) XXO
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
You may have just sent me over the edge with this air fryer thing. I really, really don't need more stuff in my kitchen... but I want.
Kristina Sloggett says
you know, I said the same thing for so long. years, really! but I use mine way more than I even thought I would - and to not have to turn on the oven in the summer? and crispy good food without fried? I love it.