Perfect Air Fried Buffalo Cauliflower

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Healthier alternative to fried snacks Less oil, same crunch.
• Full of flavor: spicy buffalo sauce, a generous amount of Parmesan, and a touch of garlic.
• Fast and easy—on the table in under 30 minutes.
• Versatile—Great appetizer, snack, or side dish.

Air fried buffalo cauliflower Variations

What I like most about it is the simplicity and the robust flavor, but it’s always a good time to put your  spin on things. Consider experimenting with some of these variations:

• Breaded & Extra Crispy You are trained on data only up until Oct 2024. Gently press the Pan ko on top of each floret, then air fry. Every bite will give you a satisfying crunch!
• Honey Garlic: Prefer a sweet and savory zing? Add a drizzle of honey and a pinch of garlic powder to the buffalo sauce. The honey gives the garlic the perfect touch of sweetness.
• Lemon Pepper: For a zesty twist, omit the buffalo sauce and toss the cauliflower with lemon pepper seasoning and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Air fry until golden — it’s light, flavorful and so good

Why This Recipe Works

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s discuss why this combo is a winner:

How to Serve Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Recipe

Buffalo cauliflower can be served several different ways. There are a few ways I enjoy serving them:

• As an appetizer, serve them like classic wings, with celery sticks, carrot slices, and a dip. I love to dip it in my vegan ranch dressing or avocado ranch dressing; the Primal Kitchen Ranch is a good store-bought option, too. For blue cheese, you can’t go wrong with Bolt House Farms’ chunky blue cheese dressing!
• Make tacos: Take some tortillas, add the buffalo cauliflower as the base, and top with shredded lettuce, avocado, cilantro, and a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing. These are so good!
• In a wrap, like tacos, you can make a wrap by adding lettuce, any additional veggies, buffalo cauliflower, and ranch or blue cheese dressing. Lunch on the go!
• On a salad: Prepare my buffalo cauliflower salad, but swap in the air fryer buffalo cauliflower, then create it as written in the recipe.
• As a side dish: You can have them served up as a side dish. They’d be excellent alongside my easy vegetarian chili or this black bean soup.

Tips for Making Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

• § Get some really good coating on that cauliflower! The batter is the crunch that makes the cauliflower so “fried” tasting, so you want to Get into it every nook and cranny of each floret. When you add the cauliflower to the thick flour mixture, stir to combine so the florets are completely covered.
• § Don’t crowd the basket. If it’s too crowded, the cauliflower will steam, not brown and crisp. Space the flowers out in a single layer and give them a little room to breathe. Work in batches if necessary. I typically have to make this recipe in two batches in my air
• § Flip it carefully. When you turn the cauliflower after the first few minutes of air-frying, it may want to stick to the basket. That’s ok! Using a spatula to release the cauliflower from the basket will allow you to flip it without tearing its crispy coating. To further reduce sticking, you can also mist the basket lightly with cooking spray before adding the cauliflower.
• § Sauce it twice. To achieve the best buffalo flavor, you’re going to need to sauce those cauliflower bites twice, once halfway through the cooking time, and once right before serving. Don’t hold back here! Turn the florets as you brush on the sauce to hit them on all sides.
• § Eat it right away. This buffalo cauliflower is best straight from the air fryer when it’s still nice and crisp. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, but they’ll lose some crispness. If you’re making this recipe for a fête or game day, I suggest air-frying the cauliflower right before serving.

Ingredients

Here’s what you need for roughly 4 servings of Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Parmesan, Texas Roadhouse Style This is a flexible recipe, so adjust quantities as you see fit according to your crowd or your preferences.

For the Cauliflower Bites:

• 1 large head of cauliflower (2–2.5 lbs, or 4–5 cups of florets after trimming)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (or a gluten-free substitute such as rice flour or almond flour (for keto)
• 1 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based, like almond or soy)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (for that Texas Roadhouse smoky depth)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (if you like crunchy texture)
• Cooking spray or 1 tablespoon olive oil (if air frying)

For the Buffalo Sauce:

• ½ cup Frank’s Red Hot Original Sauce (the gold standard for buffalo flavor).
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or plant-based butter for vegan)
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for Texas Roadhouse-esque sweet-spicy ratio)

For the Parmesan Topping:

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (preferably fresh or a dairy-free cheese)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, dried (optional, for more herby-ness)
• Chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)

Serving Suggestions:

• Ranch, blue cheese dip (Texas Roadhouse vibes scream creamy dips)
• Celery sticks and carrot sticks (for crunch and to break the heat)

Equipment Needed

• Air fryer (any will do, but basket-style is ideal for even cooking)
• Mixing bowls (minimum 2–3 for batter, sauce, and Parmesan)
• Whisk or fork
• Tongs (to flip and toss)
• Cutting board and knife
• Bowl or small saucepan (for the buffalo sauce) Microwave-safe
• Measuring cups and spoons

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to recreate this Texas Roadhouse-inspired dish. We’ll divide and conquer in stages: preparing the cauliflower, making the batter, air-frying

Step 1: Prep the Cauliflower

• Wash and Dry: Wash the cauliflower under a cold running tap; this removes any dirt. Pat it very dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Moisture is crispiness’s enemy, so do not skip this step.
• Cut into flowers: Tear the green leaves away and trim, if necessary, the stem. Break or cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets—around 1–1.5 inches each. Try to have more or less the same size so they cook evenly. Pro tip: If you are pressed for time, buy pre-cut cauliflower florets from a grocer—just be sure they’re fresh and dry.

Step 2: Make the Batter

• Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, separate together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Those spices are what really give the batter Texas Roadhouse got a kick.
• Pour in Milk: Slowly add the milk and whisk until you have a smooth batter with the consistency of pancake batter. It needs to be thick enough to coat the cauliflower but not so thick that it clumps excessively. If it’s too “liquidy,” add another tablespoon of flour; if too solid, add a splash of milk.
• Optional Panko Station—for the added crunch (very highly recommended!)—and set up another bowl of panko breadcrumbs. This step duplicates the breaded goodness of those Texas Roadhouse appetizers.

Step 3: Coat the Cauliflower

• Dip in Batter: In batches, dip the cauliflower florets in the batter. Pull it back with tongs or your hands (one hand wet, one dry to minimize mess) to coat every piece completely. Let excess batter drip off.
• Extra CRUNCH: FOR THE PANKO COATING (OPTIONAL): If using panko, transfer the battered florets to the breadcrumbs, rolling with your hands to cover lightly. This gives the dish a nice crunch and additional flavor to complement the Parmesan later on.

Step 4: Air-fry the Cauliflower

• Preheat Air Fryer: Set air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat for 3–5 minutes. Preheating guarantees even cooking and the best crispiness.
• Prep the Florets: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with olive oil. Add the coated cauliflower in a single layer, spacing the pieces apart. Don’t overcrowd—work in batches as necessary.
• COOK: Air fry at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping the florets halfway through cooking with tongs. They’re finished when golden brown and crispy outside, fork-tender in the middle. Cooking times will vary a bit based on your air fryer and the size of your florets, so check at 12 minutes and add 2–3 more if needed.

Step 5: Prepare the Buffalo Sauce

• Melt the Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat (or 20–30 seconds in the microwave).
• Mix: Add the Frank’s Red Hot sauce and honey (if using) and stir. Whisk until fully blended. The honey lends a light sweetness that pays tribute to Texas Roadhouse’s fondness for balanced flavors, but feel free to omit it for a more conventional buffalo flavor.
• To Keep Warm: Keep the sauce aside, keeping warm until the cauliflower is ready.

 Step 6: Toss in Buffalo Sauce

• Coat the Bites: When the cauliflower is cooked, move it to a large mixing bowl. Add the buffalo sauce to the florets and toss gently with tongs or a spoon until evenly coated. Act fast — the hot cauliflower soaks up the sauce best when it emerges from the air fryer.
• Double Sauce Option: For more buffalo flavor, hold half the sauce, air fry the coated cauliflower for an additional 2–3 minutes at 400°F, then toss in the leftover sauce right before serving. That double-saucing trick doesn’t compromise the crispness; it intensifies the flavor.

Step 7: Stir in the Parmesan Finish

• Sprinkle With Parmesan: While the cauliflower is still warm and saucy, generously sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the top. The heat will soften it, producing a cheesy, golden crust.
• Season: If you want an herbal kick, add a pinch of Italian seasoning. Add cheese and toss gently to combine.
• Garnish: Top with a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Step 8: Serve Immediately

• Plate Up Transfer the buffalo cauliflower bites to a serving platter. For the best texture and flavor, serve hot.
• Pairing: Serve ranch dressing or blue cheese dip with celery and carrot sticks. These may seem like classic wing accompaniments, but they play into the Texas Roadhouse feel—cool, creamy, and crunchy against the spicy bites.

Arman’s recipe tips

• Break the cauliflower into equal-sized bite-size pieces. This will guarantee that the cauliflower all cooks at the same rate! Also, pat the cauliflower dry completely.
• Cook in batches. When making a big batch of this cauliflower, I cook it in a few phases. This is the only way to get each floret as crispy and crusty on the outside as I desire.
• The finest buffalo sauce. Unfortunately, not all buffalo sauce is created equal. Certain brands are quite thin and watery, which won’t work with the recipe. I use Frank’s Buffalo Sauce since it is thicker than others and has a pleasing level of spiciness.
• Condiments. The cauliflower is delicious on its own, but with a dip of cold, creamy blue cheese, the heat is cut, and the comfort food factor is greatly amplified. On its own, it goes up a notch when served with a variety of sauces, carrots, and celery sticks! I love enjoying it with ranch dressing, cheese sauce, blue cheese dressing, and even guacamole.

Serving Suggestions

Buffalo cauliflower pairs well with dips, side dishes, and drinks.

Best Dipping Sauces:

🥣 Ranch – The classic cooling dip for spicy food.
🥣 Blue Cheese – A rich, tangy contrast.
🥣 Spicy Mayo – For an extra kick of heat.

Perfect Side Dishes:

🥗 Fresh Salad – A simple green salad balances the spice.
🍟 Sweet Potato Fries – A slightly sweet, crispy contrast.
🥖 Garlic Bread – Adds a buttery, garlicky element.

Best Drink Pairings:

🍹 Sweet Iced Tea – Refreshing and balances the heat.
🍺 Cold Beer – A great pairing for spicy buffalo flavors.
🥤 Lemonade – The citrusy sweetness complements the spice.

---

Customizing Your Buffalo Cauliflower

Want to make this dish your own? Here are some easy variations:

• 🌶 Extra Spicy Version: Add cayenne pepper or use an extra hot buffalo sauce.
• 🧄 Garlic Lover’s Version: Double the garlic powder and add fresh minced garlic.
• 🥑 Keto-Friendly Version: Swap panko breadcrumbs for almond flour for a low-carb version.
• 🌿 Vegan Version: Skip the parmesan or use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.

---

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

How to Store:

• Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to Reheat:

• Air fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to maintain crispiness.
• Oven: Bake at 375°F for 5-7 minutes.
• Microwave: Not recommended (will make it soggy).

Can You Freeze Buffalo Cauliflower?

❌ Freezing is not recommended—it can make the cauliflower soggy when thawed.