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Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Buffalo Bites Easy Vegan Snack Recipe

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These crispy air fryer cauliflower buffalo bites are a quick, easy, and flavorful vegan snack with a perfect balance of heat, crunch, and tang. They are perfect for entertaining or a satisfying plant-based treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
  • ½ cup (120 ml) chickpea flour
  • ½ cup (120 ml) unsweetened plant-based milk (almond or oat milk recommended)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (120 ml) vegan buffalo sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
  • 2 tbsp vegan butter, melted (e.g., Earth Balance)
  • Cooking spray for air fryer basket greasing
  • Optional for serving: celery sticks, vegan ranch dressing, or blue cheese-style dip

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry 1 medium head of cauliflower, then cut into even bite-sized florets (about 1 to 1.5 inches). Drying is key to help the batter stick well. (Time: 5 minutes)
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together ½ cup chickpea flour, ½ cup unsweetened plant-based milk, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika, and ½ tsp salt until smooth and thick but pourable. Add more milk if too thick. (Time: 5 minutes)
  3. Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, letting excess drip off, then place on a lightly greased baking sheet or plate without overcrowding. (Time: 5-7 minutes)
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. (Time: 3 minutes)
  5. Arrange battered florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with cooking spray. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through until golden and firm. (Time: 12-15 minutes)
  6. While cauliflower cooks, melt 2 tbsp vegan butter and mix with ½ cup buffalo sauce in a small bowl. (Time: 3 minutes)
  7. Transfer cooked cauliflower to a large bowl, pour buffalo sauce mixture over, and toss gently until evenly coated. (Time: 2 minutes)
  8. Return coated florets to the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes at 375°F (190°C) to set the sauce and crisp up. (Time: 3-4 minutes)
  9. Serve immediately with celery sticks and your favorite vegan ranch or blue cheese-style dip.

Notes

Preheat the air fryer for best crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even cooking. Tossing the cooked cauliflower in a vegan butter and buffalo sauce mixture helps the sauce stick and mellow the heat. The final air fry step crisps the sauce coating. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the air fryer to maintain crispness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

Nutrition

Keywords: cauliflower buffalo bites, vegan snack, air fryer recipe, crispy cauliflower, plant-based snack, gluten-free, buffalo sauce, easy snack

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/crispy-air-fryer-cauliflower-buffalo-bites-easy-vegan-snack-recipe/