Dinner

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe

Name: Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 head of cauliflower (about 1 1/2 lb.); 3 Tbsp. Frank’s RedHot Sauce; 2 Tbsp. butter, melted; 1/2 tsp. kosher salt; 1/4 tsp. garlic powder; 1 Tbsp. cornstarch; 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (2 oz.); 1/4 cup sour cream; 3 Tbsp. buttermilk; 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise; Kosher salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

ByClara Bennett March 9, 2026March 9, 2026

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Introduction

This Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is a flavorful, crispy, and spicy vegetarian snack that’s perfect for game days or as a tasty appetizer. Coated in a tangy buffalo sauce and paired with creamy blue cheese dressing, it’s an irresistible treat for buffalo lovers and veggie fans alike.

The image shows many pieces of cooked cauliflower with a crispy, orange-red coating spread across a sheet of brown parchment paper. The cauliflower pieces vary in size and have a slightly charred texture at the edges, with some spots shiny from sauce. On the bottom left, there is a white bowl filled with thick, white creamy sauce that has small chunks of blue cheese and some reddish sauce mixed in. One cauliflower piece is dipped halfway into the sauce. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 head of cauliflower (about 1 1/2 lb.)
3 Tbsp. Frank’s RedHot Sauce
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (2 oz.)
1/4 cup sour cream
3 Tbsp. buttermilk
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Break the head of cauliflower into same-sized florets. In a large bowl, stir together the hot sauce, melted butter, kosher salt, and garlic powder. Add the cauliflower florets and toss to combine evenly.
Step 2: Sprinkle the cornstarch over the coated cauliflower and toss again to coat each floret.
Step 3: Using tongs and working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding, place the cauliflower florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Step 4: Cook the cauliflower at 350°F for about 15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the florets are browned in spots and crispy.
Step 5: Meanwhile, prepare the blue cheese dressing. In a small bowl, stir together the crumbled blue cheese, sour cream, buttermilk, and mayonnaise. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Step 6: Serve the buffalo cauliflower hot with the blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, increase cooking time by a few minutes or spray the cauliflower lightly with cooking oil before air frying.
Try substituting ranch dressing instead of blue cheese for a different flavor.
Adjust the amount of hot sauce to control the heat level to your preference.

Storage

Store any leftover buffalo cauliflower in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to retain crispness. The blue cheese dressing can be stored separately in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How to Serve

The image shows many small roasted cauliflower florets with a crispy, orange-red coating spread over a sheet of brown parchment paper on a white marbled surface. Some florets have a white, creamy sauce partially covering them. On the right side, there is a white bowl filled with thick, white dipping sauce with visible small bits of herbs or spices, and one cauliflower floret dipped in the sauce leaning on the bowl’s edge. The roasted cauliflower pieces have textured, slightly charred edges and a vibrant orange color from the coating. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe without an air fryer?

Yes, you can bake the coated cauliflower on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 425°F for about 20–25 minutes, turning halfway through, until crispy and browned.

Is this recipe vegan-friendly?

This recipe uses butter, blue cheese, sour cream, buttermilk, and mayonnaise, which are not vegan. You can substitute dairy-free alternatives and vegan butter to make it vegan-friendly.