Crispy, Saucy, Addictive: Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings You Won't Shut Up About

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Meet Your New Obsession

Let’s be real—nobody actually misses chicken when you’ve got air fryer cauliflower wings this good. I know, I know. “Cauliflower? As wings?” But hear me out. These babies are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and covered in a sticky, finger-licking sauce that will make you question everything you thought you knew about bar food. And they don’t require you to break a sweat deep-frying. Just toss ‘em in the air fryer and boom: magic.

Why These Cauliflower Wings Are Basically a Life Hack

Crispy, saucy, and totally snack-worthy
Fool your meat-loving friends into thinking they’re eating wings (seriously, it’s happened)
Perfect for game day, date night, or Tuesday (because why not?)
Ready in under 30 minutes
Healthier than actual wings. Like, way healthier.
Vegan AND gluten-free adaptable, because we’re inclusive like that

Ingredients (No Weird Stuff, Promise)

Crispy cauliflower wings stacked on a plate with a drizzle of Buffalo sauce

1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
½ cup all-purpose flour (swap for almond or gluten-free flour if needed)
½ cup unsweetened plant milk (or regular milk, if you’re wild like that)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
¼ tsp salt
1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for that signature crunch)
½ cup Buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, or whatever sauce your soul needs
1 tbsp olive oil (optional but helps with golden crispiness)

Optional Swaps

Use chickpea flour for a protein boost
No panko? Crushed cornflakes work like a charm
Want heat? Add a pinch of cayenne to the batter

Tools & Kitchen Gadgets (a.k.a. Link-Worthy Gear for Amazon)

Air fryer (the star of the show)
Mixing bowls (you’ll need a couple)
Whisk (for smooth batter vibes)
Tongs (unless you love burning your fingers)
Baking sheet (for staging your coated florets pre-air fryer)
Measuring cups & spoons
Silicone brush (for saucing like a pro)

How to Make Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings (Without Losing Your Mind)

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Because nobody likes soggy wings.

Step 2: Make the batter. Mix the flour, plant milk, garlic powder, paprika, and salt in a bowl until it looks like something you’d dip things in.

Step 3: Dip & coat. Toss your cauliflower florets in the batter, let the excess drip off, then roll them in panko. Crunch level: engaged.

Step 4: Air fry time. Spray your air fryer basket with oil, add the florets in a single layer (no cauliflower crowding, please), and cook for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway.

Step 5: Sauce it up. Once they’re golden and crispy, toss ’em in your favorite sauce. Use a bowl or get fancy with a brush.

Step 6: Devour. Pair with ranch, blue cheese dip, or your leftover dignity. Just kidding. Sort of.

Calories & Nutritional Info (Because Someone’s Gonna Ask)

Cauliflower wings in an air fryer basket mid-cook, golden and crisp

Per serving (makes about 4 servings):

Calories: ~180 (without sauce)
Protein: 5g
Carbs: 22g
Fat: 7g
Fiber: 3g
Guilt: 0g

Common Mistakes to Avoid (Learn From the Fallen)

Overcrowding the basket. Air needs to circulate, people. Don’t suffocate your florets.
Skipping the batter. Naked cauliflower = sad cauliflower.
Not flipping. Flip halfway or risk soggy bottoms. Mary Berry would be disappointed.
Saucing too early. Wait until after air frying or you’ll end up with floppy sadness.
Using wet cauliflower. Dry it off, or you’ll end up steaming instead of crisping.

Variations & Customizations (Choose Your Fighter)

1. Spicy AF: Add cayenne and crushed chili flakes to your batter and use extra hot Buffalo sauce.

2. Sweet & Sticky: Go for a teriyaki glaze with sesame seeds and scallions on top.

3. Keto-Friendly: Sub flour with almond flour and breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds. Still air-fryable and still delicious.

FAQ Section (Because the Internet Wants to Know)

1. Can I make air fryer cauliflower wings without breadcrumbs? Yes, but expect less crunch. Try crushed nuts or even cornmeal as a texture hack.

2. How long do I cook cauliflower wings in the air fryer? 15-18 minutes at 375°F, flipping halfway. Watch ’em like a hawk at the end.

3. Can I use frozen cauliflower? Meh. You can, but it gets mushy. Fresh is best.

4. Are air fryer cauliflower wings healthy? Yup! They’re baked, not fried, and full of fiber and vitamins.

5. How do I make them extra crispy? Double coat with panko and don’t skip the olive oil spray.

6. Can I reheat them? Yep. Toss back in the air fryer for 5-6 minutes to bring the crunch back.

7. What sauce works best? Buffalo, BBQ, garlic Parmesan, or honey sriracha—go wild.

Final Thoughts (aka Time for You to Obsess Over These)

If you make these air fryer cauliflower wings, don’t be surprised when you crave them at 10 a.m. on a Monday. They’re crispy, saucy, and ridiculously easy. Tag your hot sauce-loving friend, ditch the sad celery sticks, and make a double batch next time. Trust me—you’ll need it. Oh, and FYI: store-bought frozen wings? Canceled.