Tossed in a perfectly seasoned panko mixture, these Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites are tender inside and have the most delicious crispy coating. Serve them as a healthy vegetable side dish or as a snack on game day. Dunked in spicy buffalo dip (recipe included) and regular or vegan ranch dressing, this will be your new favorite way to eat cauliflower florets!
Recipe Summary:
- Main Ingredient: Cauliflower.
- Texture: Tender inside and crispy outside.
- Dietary Information: Vegetarian, vegan adaptable, gluten-free adaptable, low-carb, dairy-free.
- What you Need to Know: Savory breaded cauliflower cooked in an air fryer
- Highlight: Easy to find ingredients. Budget friendly.
- Skill Level: Easy.
Why this Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe Works?
- Basic Ingredients – Lots of Flavor: Panko breadcrumbs and a simple seasoning blend made with garlic powder, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper, add bold flavor and an airy crispy texture to one of my favorite vegetables.
- Air Fried Not Fried: Air frying is less messy and uses less oil, than deep frying or pan-frying, yet produces perfectly tender cooked cauliflower bites with golden brown crispy edges.
- Crispy Outside and Tender Inside: Placing the coated cauliflower on a single layer in the air fryer basket, and tossing the florets (by shaking the basket), halfway through the cooking process, guarantees proper hot air circulation which results in perfectly tender, crispy cauliflower bites made in less time than cooking them in the oven.
- Extra Crunchy: Our air fryer version of buffalo cauliflower wings is served with an irresistible buffalo dipping sauce on the side. Not tossing the air fry cauliflower in sauce keeps the cauliflower extra crunchy.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Recipe?
- Vegetarian: Treat yourself to the ultimate game day snack without pretending is chicken! Our vegetarian buffalo cauliflower wings are made with a head of cauliflower and ingredients you can pronounce.
- Vegan Adaptable: Make this vegetarian version of hot buffalo wings completely vegan by making the coating with flax egg. See instructions below and in the recipe card. Use vegan mayo to make the dipping sauce!
- Low in Calories: Air Frying means less oil and these Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are served with a side of buffalo dip which skips the melted butter used on buffalo chicken wings sauce.
How to Prep Cauliflower for Air Frying?
- Wash the cauliflower throughly and remove any leaves.
- Allow the cauliflower to drain.
- Cut the cauliflower into small florets. If you have a large cauliflower, you may need to cut it in half first. Only remove stems that are dried or bruised. The stems taste as good as the florets.
What’s in This Breaded Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe?
- Cauliflower: A fresh head of cauliflower or fresh pre-cut cauliflower florets are best. Frozen cauliflower has excess moisture and can turn mushy and not crispy. If you only have frozen cauliflower, thaw it out completely and pat it dry as much as possible before preparing it.
- Eggs: A large egg is used as the glue that holds the coating to the veggie. I use large eggs.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: I use unseasoned panko breadcrumbs. Regular breadcrumbs can be used also. For a gluten-free version, I suggest using gluten-free breadcrumbs. The crumbs on some brands of gluten-free panko are so large that won’t adhere the cauliflower.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika.
- Oil: A quick spritz of cooking spray or neutral flavored oil (such as olive oil or avocado oil) prevents the cauliflower from sticking and also aids in achieving a perfectly crispy coating.
Popular Substitutions and Additions
- Cook with Broccoli: Instead of cauliflower, use broccoli.
- Make it Vegan: Replace one egg with one tablespoon of flax seeds and three tablespoons of water.
- Switch Up the Spices: You can use your favorite spices and seasonings. Chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder and regular paprika are popular options.
- Try a Different Breading: Add grated parmesan cheese to the panko mixture for a fun twist on this breaded air fryer cauliflower recipe!
How To Make Crispy Cauliflower on the Air Fryer?
Be sure to check the printable recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and their exact quantities.
- Place the cauliflower florets in a large mixing bowl. Then, preheat the air fryer to 380º F (192º C).
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg until frothy.
- Pour the whisked, frothy egg over the cauliflower florets and toss to combine.
- Sprinkle in the spices and toss to distribute them evenly.
- Add the panko breadcrumbs and toss to coat.
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray and transfer the cauliflower to the air fryer basket arranging them on a single layer.
- Cook the cauliflower until crisp tender and golden brown, tossing the florets by shaking the basket a couple of times throughout the cooking process. Remove cauliflower from the basket and serve.
Spicy Buffalo Dipping Sauce
- In a bowl combine the mayo, buffalo sauce, and blue cheese crumbles. Then, it’s ready to serve. Easy!
Tips for Making Crispy Cauliflower Bites in the Air Fryer
- Make sure the cauliflower is dry. Excess moisture repels the seasoning and prevents the cauliflower from crisping up.
- Cut the florets into even pieces so they can cook evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Proper air circulation is of the most important when baking or air frying.
- Shake the basket at least once throughout the cooking process (two times is ideal). This is an important steps for getting each bite golden brown all around.
What Can I Serve With Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites?
Air fryer cauliflower bites can shine as a snack alone. They also make a great side dish to compliment any main course. You can serve them with baby carrots and celery. These other sauces and dips are delicious and pair well with these tasty bites
Why Is My Cauliflower Not Crispy?
Overcrowding the basket will prevent the cauliflower from getting crisp. To get those beautiful crispy edges, place the cauliflower florets in a single layer, leaving enough room between each piece. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to work in batches.
Also, make sure the cauliflower is dry (after you rinse it).
How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Cauliflower?
- Storing: While these crispy air fryer cauliflower bites are best served hot, they can be stored in an airtight container for up for 3 days. They will lose some of their crunch when chilled.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat them is in the air fryer or in a preheated 300ºF oven. Heat your airfryer to 380ºF and cook the cauliflower bites for 2-5 minutes or until heated through. The microwave can be used (it’s quicker) but the bites won’t crisp back up.
Take a Look at These Other Easy Cauliflower Recipes:
- Cauliflower Gratin
- Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower
- Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
- Creamy Cauliflower Soup
Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites
Tossed in a perfectly seasoned panko mixture, these Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites are tender inside and have the most delicious crispy coating. Serve them as a healthy vegetable side dish or as a snack on super bowl Sunday!
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets (about 1.5 to 2 pounds), rinsed and pat dried
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray
Buffalo Dipping sauce (optional)
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise 1 teaspoon blue cheese crumbles
- 2-3 tablespoons buffalo sauce (like Frank’s red hot)
- Blue cheese crumbles (optional)
- Ranch dipping sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Note: It’s best to cut the cauliflower into even sized small florets. After rinsing, pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or with paper towels.
- Place the cauliflower florets in a large mixing bowl.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380º F (192º C).
- In a small bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy.
- Pour the whisked, frothy eggs over the cauliflower florets and toss to combine.
- Sprinkle in the spices and toss to distribute them evenly.
- Add the panko breadcrumbs and toss to coat.
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray and transfer the cauliflower, one by one in the air fryer basket on a single layer, leaving space between the florets so the hot air can circulate properly. Don’t overcrowd the basket. Work in batches if necessary.
- Cook the cauliflower until crisp tender with browned edges, about 14-18 minutes, tossing the florets by shaking the basket a couple of times throughout the cooking process. The exact cooking varies depending on the brand, size and type of air fryer as well as the size of the florets.
- Remove cauliflower from the basket and repeat the process with the remaining cauliflower. Serve with the buffalo dipping sauce or with your favorite dipping sauce.
Buffalo Dipping Sauce
- Combine the mayonnaise and the buffalo sauce in a small bowl. Serve, topped with blue cheese crumbles.
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Equipment
- Air fryer
Recipe Notes
- Pat Them Dry: After rinsing, pat the cauliflower dry with paper towels. Excess moisture prevents the cauliflower from crisping up.
- Evenly Sized Florets: Cut the florets into even pieces so they can cook evenly.
- For Crispy Results: Don’t overcrowd the basket.
- Cooking Spray: Use cooking spray to keep the cauliflower from sticking to the basket.
- Make it Vegan: Replace each egg with one tablespoon of flax seeds and three tablespoons of water. Use vegan mayonnaise to make the dipping sauce or use your favorite vegan sauce.
- Dip It: Serve these crunchy bites with your favorite dipping sauce.
- Storing: While these crispy air fryer cauliflower bites are best served hot, they can be stored in an airtight container for up for 3 days.
- The dipping sauce is not calculated in the nutrition facts as it is an optional serving suggestion.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites
Amount Per Serving
Calories 98
Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Trans Fat 0.01g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 93mg31%
Sodium 146mg6%
Potassium 82mg2%
Carbohydrates 12g4%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 433IU9%
Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
Calcium 43mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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