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- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets - 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour) - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) - 1 cup buttermilk (or plant-based milk for a vegan option) - 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade) - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste You can add extra spices for flavor. Try adding cumin or chili powder. You might also use panko breadcrumbs for more crunch. For a twist, mix in some grated cheese with the flour. If you love herbs, sprinkle some fresh parsley or cilantro before serving. Each serving has about 150 calories. You get 5 grams of protein and 20 grams of carbs. The dish has 7 grams of fat, mostly from the olive oil. It also has fiber from the cauliflower. This makes it a tasty and healthy snack option. First, grab a medium head of cauliflower. Cut it into bite-sized florets. Each piece should be uniform. This helps them cook evenly. Rinse the florets under cold water. Dry them well with a clean towel. Removing extra moisture helps them crisp up in the air fryer. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Mix 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Add salt and pepper to taste. In a separate bowl, pour 1 cup of buttermilk. Take each cauliflower floret and dip it in the buttermilk. Let any extra buttermilk drip off. Next, coat the floret in the flour mixture. Ensure each piece is well covered. This coating gives your bites a great crunch. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the coated florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd them; give them space to cook. Lightly spray the florets with olive oil. This helps them become crispy. Air fry the florets for 15 minutes. Halfway through, shake the basket to move the florets around. This ensures even cooking. When they turn golden and crispy, take them out. In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower bites with 1/2 cup of buffalo sauce. Make sure each piece is fully coated. Return them to the air fryer for an extra 5 minutes. This sets the sauce, making it even tastier. Enjoy your crispy buffalo cauliflower bites! To get that perfect crunch, I always coat the cauliflower well. Make sure you dip each piece in buttermilk first. This helps the flour stick better. Use a light spray of olive oil before air frying. This adds flavor and ensures crispiness. I also recommend not overcrowding the air fryer basket. Give each floret space to cook evenly. If you want more heat, add extra cayenne pepper to the flour mix. Start with half a teaspoon, then taste it. You can always add more if you like it spicy! For a milder version, reduce the cayenne or skip it entirely. Buffalo sauce can also vary in heat, so choose one that matches your taste. Preheating your air fryer is key. Set it to 400°F (200°C) before you start cooking. This helps the cauliflower cook evenly and get crispy. Shake the basket halfway through cooking. This ensures all sides get that golden look. Always check the florets around the 15-minute mark. If they look ready, you can take them out early! {{image_2}} You can easily make these bites vegan. Just swap buttermilk for plant-based milk. Use almond or soy milk. The flavor stays rich and tasty. Buffalo sauce is classic, but you can mix it up. Try barbecue sauce for a sweet twist. A teriyaki sauce can bring a nice glaze. Experiment with your favorite flavors! If you want to change the coating, try using cornmeal or panko. These add extra crunch. You can also use chickpea flour for a gluten-free option. Add herbs or spices for more flavor. To store your buffalo cauliflower bites, let them cool first. Place them in an airtight container. Keep the container in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to three days. Make sure to label the container with the date. This way, you won't forget when you made them! When you are ready to enjoy your leftovers, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the cauliflower bites in the basket in a single layer. Heat them for about 5 to 7 minutes. This will make them crispy again. You can also use an oven. Bake them at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. Either method works well! If you want to save some bites for later, freezing is a great option. Let the cooked cauliflower cool completely. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Try to remove as much air as possible before sealing. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, just reheat them directly from the freezer! Yes, you can use frozen cauliflower. Just thaw it first. Pat it dry to remove excess moisture. This helps the coating stick better. Frozen florets may need a bit more time to cook. Check for crispiness before serving. Making homemade buffalo sauce is easy. In a bowl, mix 1 cup of hot sauce with 1/2 cup of melted butter. You can add garlic powder and a pinch of salt for extra flavor. Adjust the heat by adding cayenne pepper if you like it spicier. Stir well and enjoy! Buffalo cauliflower bites go great with ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing. You can also try a creamy garlic dip or a tangy yogurt sauce. Celery sticks are a perfect side too. They add a nice crunch and coolness to balance the heat. This blog post covered how to make delicious buffalo cauliflower bites. We explored the ingredients, including optional ones for flavor. I provided step-by-step instructions for preparing, coating, and air frying the cauliflower. You learned tips for crispiness and spice adjustments. Variations and storage information make this dish easy to customize and enjoy later. In closing, this recipe is fun and tasty. You can impress friends or treat yourself. Enjoy your cooking!

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Spice up your snack game with these crispy air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites! Perfectly seasoned and coated in a tangy buffalo sauce, these bites are a delicious, healthier alternative to traditional wings. Made with simple ingredients, they're great for parties or a cozy night in. Ready in just 30 minutes, they're both vegan-friendly and gluten-free. Click through to discover the full recipe and enjoy a tasty treat that everyone will love!
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Ingredients
  

1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets

1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

1 cup buttermilk (or plant-based milk for a vegan option)

1/2 cup buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade)

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

    In a large bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.

      Pour the buttermilk into a separate bowl.

        Dip each cauliflower floret first into the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off, then coat it in the flour mixture until well covered.

          Place the coated cauliflower florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded.

            Spray the florets lightly with olive oil for crispiness.

              Air fry the florets at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

                Once the cauliflower is golden and crispy, remove it from the air fryer.

                  In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower bites with buffalo sauce until they are fully coated.

                    Return the coated cauliflower to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5 minutes to set the sauce.

                      Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside celery sticks and ranch dressing.

                        Prep Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 30 mins | Servings: 4