This easy air fryer buffalo cauliflower recipe is Paleo, Whole30 approved and Vegan friendly. It's a great weeknight dinner recipe - easy to make flavorful and crispy!
Want to know a secret? I'm not all that fond of cauliflower - it's one of my least favorite vegetables. (Kinda seems like a crime since I eat mostly Paleo and cauliflower seems to be all the rage when it comes to a grain free diet.)
However, I cannot get enough of this easy buffalo cauliflower recipe.
Want proof?
Well, for about a month straight, I made this recipe 2-3 times a week and ate the entire thing by myself! (And yes, that's a whole head of cauliflower by myself multiple times a week; as this recipe is too spicy for my family.)
I craved this air fryer cauliflower like no other. In fact, it's probably the only time I've ever craved this white cruciferous vegetable in my entire life. But that goes to show just how good this recipe is!
Recipe Highlights
This easy air fryer buffalo cauliflower is made in the air fryer (obviously), coated in buffalo sauce, avocado oil, a little cassava flour, salt and garlic powder.
In addition, this recipe is:
- gluten free & grain free
- dairy free
- Paleo, Whole30 approved & Vegan
- has a crispy, crunchy texture
- easy to make
This is a healthy buffalo cauliflower recipe, great as a side dish to any meal or prepped ahead of time for an easy game day snack.
Ingredients in Paleo Buffalo Cauliflower
You only need 6 ingredients to make this recipe:
- cauliflower
- Paleo buffalo sauce
- avocado oil (or olive oil)
- cassava flour
- garlic powder
- salt
Cauliflower
This recipe uses one small to medium sized head of fresh cauliflower. If you have an extra large cauliflower, you can add more buffalo sauce and an extra teaspoon or two of cassava flour.
I have not tested this recipe with frozen cauliflower, but image it would work.
Buffalo Sauce
This recipe calls for buffalo sauce - a necessity for making buffalo cauliflower bites! I used The New Primal medium buffalo sauce. It is Paleo, Vegan and Whole30 approved. The New Primal offers mild, medium and hot buffalo sauce. (You can use my discount code BAKEITPALEO on any New Primal purchase.)
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is a neutral tasting, heat stable oil, perfect for cooking and baking. I like using Chosen Foods Avocado Oil in a lot of my recipes, but olive oil would be another great Paleo option.
Cassava Flour
I chose to coat these cauliflower wings in Otto's cassava flour because it is nut free, seed free, grain free and allergy friendly. However, I imagine most flours would work in it's place. I have coated the wings in ground flax and thought they tasted good too.
How to Cook Buffalo Cauliflower in the Air Fryer
The air fryer I own is the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven. It is a multi-functional air fryer that can also bake, toast, warm and broil. I love it! Since this is what I own, instructions are given for this air fryer.
First, prep the cauliflower. Rinse it and cut it into small florets.
Place the cauliflower in a large mixing bowl and coat with buffalo sauce and oil. Mix with a spatula or tongs until completely coated. Depending on how much cauliflower you have, you may want to add more buffalo sauce.
Next, sprinkle the cassava flour, garlic powder and salt onto the cauliflower. Again, mix until well coated.
Place the cauliflower on the wire air fryer basket. Spread them out so that the cauliflower isn't overlapping.
Put the cauliflower on the top rack of the air fryer oven, close the door and plug in the device. Set the function to "air fry", the temperature to 400 degrees and the timer for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, remove the cauliflower from the air fryer, flip each piece then place it back in the air fryer (top rack). Air fry for another 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees.
What to Pair With Buffalo Cauliflower?
Personally, I think this Vegan buffalo cauliflower recipe pairs well with anything! Here, I plated it with Paleo Orange Chicken and steamed broccoli.
Here are some more suggestions:
How to Store Leftovers?
Keep leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge, up to one week. They can be eaten cold or heated up in the microwave or air fryer.
More Whole30 Side Dishes
- Curry Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Garlic Plantain Fries
- Oven Roasted Green Beans
- Crispy Garlic Parsnip Fries
Enjoy!
Print
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower (Paleo, Whole30)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: serves 2
Description
This healthy buffalo cauliflower recipe is made in the air fryer, Paleo and Whole30 approved.
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower (small-medium)
- ¼ cup Paleo buffalo sauce
- 1 tsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1 Tbsp cassava flour
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Chop head of cauliflower into small florets and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Coat the cauliflower with buffalo sauce and avocado oil. Mix with with a spatula or tongs until completely coated*
- Sprinkle cassava flour, garlic powder and salt over the cauliflower. Mix until well coated.
- Place the cauliflower on the wire air fryer basket, spreading the pieces out so that they are not overlapping.
- Place the basket on the upper level of the air fryer. Close the door to the air fryer and plug it in. Set the function to "air fry", heat to 400 degrees and timer for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the cauliflower and flip each piece.
- Place the cauliflower back in the air fryer and air fry again at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
- Store any leftovers in an air-tight glass container in the fridge, up to one week.
Notes
This recipe was made using the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven. Any air fryer will work, but instructions are given for this specific one.
*If necessary, add more buffalo sauce.
Katie
I'm not a huge fan of cauliflower, but this buffalo cauliflower is to die for! I hope you love it just as much as I do!