Air Fryer Buffalo Ranch Cauliflower Bites
Call me a “Basic Betty,” but when something works, it just WORKS. These cauliflower “wings” are a delicious snack whether you’re vegetarian or not!
Snacktime should be simple, so the ingredient list is short for these. And I will not begrudge you for buying pre-cut florets. I’ve always said cauliflower is truly the glitter of the kitchen (how does it fly EVERYWHERE?!). My favorite—maybe controversial—ingredient in the lineup: Ranch Dip Mix. If you know me, you know I don’t NEED a reason to add Ranch to anything on my plate, but here it actually does serve a purpose. The Ranch mix has dried buttermilk powder in it, and that helps the breadcrumbs stick to your sauced florets.
Once you have them all dredged, you just cook them in batches in the air fryer! After you air fry the cauliflower bites, toss ‘em again in the sauce and serve immediately. They won’t last long!
Air Fryer Buffalo Ranch Cauliflower Bites
Whether it’s game day or you’ve just got a hankering for some Buffalo Wings, this is a great vegetarian version that comes together in a snap! An air fryer makes quick work of crisping up cauliflower florets that have been dunked in sauce, then a breadcrumb mixture with the Ranch dressing baked right in!
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
4 cups cauliflower florets
4 Tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted
½ cup Buffalo-style hot sauce
1 ½ Tablespoons Ranch seasoning/dip mix
1 cup panko or regular breadcrumbs
½ teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Olive Oil Spray for air fryer basket
Celery & Carrots, for serving
Blue Cheese or Ranch dressing, for serving
METHOD:
Stir together melted butter and buffalo sauce. Pour half of the mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add cauliflower florets to the bowl, and toss to coat. Save the remaining sauce to toss the cooked florets in later. Lightly coat your air fryer basket with olive oil spray to keep the cauliflower from sticking while cooking.
In a separate bowl, mix together breadcrumbs, Ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Dip each cauliflower floret from the buffalo sauce into the breadcrumb mixture until coated, and arrange in the air fryer basket in one even layer. Cook half of the cauliflower in an air fryer at 360ºF for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through cooking. Repeat the process with the remaining cauliflower.
Once all cauliflower has been air fried, microwave the remaining buffalo sauce and butter mixture so that it’s warm. Toss cooked cauliflower in the sauce until well-coated, and transfer to a platter. Serve with celery sticks, carrots, and dressing, if desired.
*Notes
The little crumbs that inevitably fall through your air fryer basket are a delicious extra crunchy topping to add just before serving.
