Crispy, fiery, and full of bold flavor—cauliflower wings are the ultimate meatless alternative that never feels like a compromise. With their golden, crackly edges and tender bite, they deliver all the satisfaction of traditional wings without a trace of chicken. Whether served as a party snack, game-day appetizer, or a satisfying weeknight bite, these air-fried wings redefine what plant-based comfort food can look like. The air fryer’s magic lies in its ability to create that crave-worthy crunch without the heaviness of deep frying, making this recipe a smart and flavorful option for any occasion.
Ingredients Breakdown
Every ingredient in this recipe is thoughtfully chosen to create a perfect balance of flavor and texture. The foundation lies in the combination of all-purpose flour and cornstarch—flour provides structure while cornstarch contributes a light, crisp finish that mimics traditional fried batter. A blend of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and sea salt infuses the coating with layers of savory, smoky, and slightly spicy notes. Water binds the mixture into a smooth, pourable batter, making it easy to coat each floret evenly. The cauliflower itself—ideally a large, firm head broken into generous florets—is the canvas for all these bold flavors. Size matters here: larger florets hold up better during cooking and provide that satisfying bite. Once air-fried to perfection, a brush of tangy buffalo sauce brings the heat, while a side of cool, creamy vegan ranch offers a refreshing contrast that completes the experience.
Step-by-Step Cooking Method
Begin by bringing your air fryer to temperature—400°F is the sweet spot for a golden, crisp finish. As it preheats, whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl to create a well-seasoned base. Add water gradually and whisk until the batter is smooth and lump-free, with just the right viscosity to cling to the cauliflower without being too heavy. Toss the cauliflower florets in the batter, ensuring each one is generously coated. Lift them out gently, letting excess batter drip off, and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid crowding—this allows hot air to circulate and crisp every edge. After 9 minutes, flip each piece carefully and apply a light coat of buffalo sauce. Return to the fryer for another 5 to 10 minutes until deeply golden and crisp around the edges. Once out of the fryer, brush with more buffalo sauce and serve immediately for the best flavor and crunch.
Recipe Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
Achieving the ideal batter consistency for a uniform coat:
The batter should be thick enough to cling to each floret but still fluid. If it’s too runny, the coating will slide off; too thick, and it won’t crisp properly.
How to prevent soggy wings: spacing and batch-cooking essentials:
Always leave room between florets in the air fryer basket. If necessary, cook in batches to avoid steaming.
Ways to intensify or mellow the spice level:
Adjust the amount or heat level of your buffalo sauce. For a milder version, opt for a smoky BBQ glaze or a tangy honey-mustard drizzle.
Recommended substitutions for flour or cornstarch:
Gluten-free flour blends or rice flour can be used in place of all-purpose flour. Tapioca starch or arrowroot powder can replace cornstarch with similar results.
Can I bake these instead of using an air fryer?
Yes. Bake at 425°F on a parchment-lined sheet for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway and brushing with sauce during the last 10 minutes.
How do I keep them crispy for longer?
Serve immediately after cooking. If needed, reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes before serving to restore crispness.
Can I make them ahead of time and reheat?
You can prepare and refrigerate the batter-coated florets a few hours in advance. Reheat cooked wings in the air fryer or oven just before serving.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer to revive their texture.
What to Serve With This Recipe
A vibrant dipping sauce adds depth to every bite. Vegan ranch is a natural match, but blue cheese-style vegan dips or even creamy tahini sauces work beautifully too. Complement your wings with crispy fries, pickled veggies, or a crunchy cabbage slaw. For a heartier meal, pile them into wraps with lettuce and avocado or serve over grain bowls with quinoa, roasted chickpeas, and a drizzle of dressing for a complete plate that’s anything but ordinary.
Creative Variations to Explore
There’s no limit to how you can remix this recipe. Swap out buffalo sauce for smoky BBQ, tangy teriyaki, or garlicky parmesan for an entirely different flavor profile. To make the recipe gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and replace the cornstarch with a suitable starch alternative. Leftovers can be repurposed creatively—tuck them into a pita, layer them on a sandwich, or chop them into a salad for added crunch and flavor.
These cauliflower wings strike the perfect balance between comfort food and smart snacking. Bold, spicy, and satisfying, they offer everything you crave in a wing, without relying on meat or deep-frying. Whether served for parties, weeknight dinners, or weekend cravings, this crowd-pleasing recipe is proof that vegetables can take center stage—and taste incredible doing it.
Ingredients
1 head cauliflower, approximately 2 pounds, broken into large florets
¾ cup water
⅔ cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
¼ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon sea salt
Buffalo sauce, for brushing
Vegan ranch dressing, optional for dipping
Instructions
Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F, allowing it to come to full temperature before adding the cauliflower for optimal crisping.
In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt. Whisk the dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavor. Gradually pour in the water and whisk until the mixture forms a smooth, lump-free batter.
Add the cauliflower florets into the bowl and stir until each piece is fully coated in the seasoned batter.
Carefully lift the battered florets from the bowl, allowing any excess batter to drip back into the bowl to avoid soggy results. Arrange the florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave space between each one. This helps them crisp up evenly. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
Air fry the coated cauliflower for 9 minutes. Open the basket and use a spatula or tongs to gently flip each piece. Lightly brush the tops with buffalo sauce for an extra kick of flavor. Return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the edges turn crisp and slightly charred.
Once done, remove the cauliflower wings from the air fryer and brush generously with additional buffalo sauce while still hot. Serve immediately, paired with a side of cool vegan ranch for dipping if desired.
Cauliflower Wings Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower approximately 2 pounds, broken into large florets
- ¾ cup water
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Buffalo sauce for brushing
- Vegan ranch dressing optional for dipping
Instructions
- Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F, allowing it to come to full temperature before adding the cauliflower for optimal crisping.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt. Whisk the dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavor. Gradually pour in the water and whisk until the mixture forms a smooth, lump-free batter.
- Add the cauliflower florets into the bowl and stir until each piece is fully coated in the seasoned batter.
- Carefully lift the battered florets from the bowl, allowing any excess batter to drip back into the bowl to avoid soggy results. Arrange the florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave space between each one. This helps them crisp up evenly. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Air fry the coated cauliflower for 9 minutes. Open the basket and use a spatula or tongs to gently flip each piece. Lightly brush the tops with buffalo sauce for an extra kick of flavor. Return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the edges turn crisp and slightly charred.
- Once done, remove the cauliflower wings from the air fryer and brush generously with additional buffalo sauce while still hot. Serve immediately, paired with a side of cool vegan ranch for dipping if desired.
