Crispy Buffalo Wild Wings Cauliflower Wings

Ingredients

• 1 cauliflower (large head, cut into bite-sized florets)
• 0.75 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
• 0.25 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 0.75 cup buttermilk (or plant-based milk)
• salt and pepper (per taste)
• 0.5 cup hot sauce (Frank's-style recommended)
• 2 tbsp butter (melted; or vegan butter)
• 1 tsp honey (or maple syrup; optional for balance)
• oil spray (for greasing and spraying cauliflower)

Steps

1. 1

   Wash and cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Pat them completely dry with a towel; this step is critical for ensuring the wings become crispy.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

3. 3

   Slowly add the buttermilk (or plant-based milk) to the dry ingredients and whisk until a smooth, thick batter forms. The batter should be thick enough to coat the cauliflower without dripping excessively.

4. 4

   Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, letting the excess drip off. Place the coated florets on a lined tray or directly into a lightly greased air fryer basket.

5. 5

   Let the coated cauliflower sit for 5 minutes before cooking to help the batter adhere better.

6. 6

   For Air Fryer Method: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the battered cauliflower with oil to mimic deep frying. Arrange in a single layer and air fry for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

7. 7

   While the cauliflower cooks, whisk together the hot sauce, melted butter, and honey (if using) in a bowl to create the buffalo sauce.

8. 8

   Toss the cooked cauliflower in the buffalo sauce until well coated.

9. 9

   Return the sauced cauliflower to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3–5 minutes until the sauce is set and the edges are crispy.

10. 10

    For Oven Method: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake the battered cauliflower for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway. Toss in the buffalo sauce and bake again for 5–10 minutes.

Notes

Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing, celery, and carrot sticks. To store, keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the air fryer at 370°F for 4-5 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the pan or air fryer basket to prevent steaming.

Nutrition per serving

• appetizer
• vegetarian
• vegan-option
• gluten-free-option
• air-fryer
• baked
• game day
• snack