Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Crispy almond-crusted cauliflower florets coated in a tangy-sweet buffalo sauce made with Frank's Hot Sauce, butter, and honey. This keto and grain-free take on classic buffalo wings delivers the spicy kick and satisfying crunch of the original without the meat. The almond meal coating crisps beautifully in the air fryer, while the homemade buffalo glaze balances heat with subtle sweetness. Serve as an appetizer for game day, a low-carb snack, or a vegetarian main with cooling ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cauliflower florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup blanched superfine almond mealcoconut flour1/3 cup per 1 cup almond mealketogluten-freetree_nuts-free
makes coating denser
Full guide → - 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ cup Frank's RedHot sauceany hot saucesame ratiospicycondiment
adjust honey to taste if sauce is sweeter
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- 1
Cut cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
- 2
Combine almond meal, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- 3
Whisk eggs in a separate bowl.
- 4
Coat cauliflower florets in egg wash, then dredge in almond meal mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- 5
Preheat air fryer to 370°F and spray basket with nonstick spray.
- 6
Arrange half the cauliflower in the basket in a single layer and spray with nonstick spray.
- 7
Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking basket halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- 8
While cooking, whisk melted butter with Frank's Hot Sauce and honey until combined.
- 9
Repeat air frying with remaining cauliflower batch.
- 10
Toss all cooked cauliflower in buffalo sauce and serve immediately.
Tips
Press the almond coating firmly onto each floret so it adheres during air frying; a spoon works better than fingers.
Don't skip the halfway shake. Toss the wings to ensure even browning and crispiness on all sides.
Make extra buffalo sauce. The almond crust absorbs it quickly; drizzle more on before serving if desired.
Good to Know
Refrigerate coated (uncooked) cauliflower up to 24 hours before air frying. Cooked wings keep refrigerated for 2-3 days in an airtight container; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes to restore crispness.
Prepare and coat cauliflower florets up to 1 day ahead. Store on a parchment-lined baking sheet covered loosely with plastic wrap. Do not freeze raw coated florets; the egg wash and almond crust do not refreeze well. Cooked wings can be frozen up to 1 month; reheat from frozen in the air fryer at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Serve hot immediately after tossing in buffalo sauce. Pair with ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, or carrot sticks. Works as a party appetizer, game-day snack, or component of a low-carb meal.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip coating each floret fully; under-coated spots will remain soft and won't crisp.
Do not crowd the air fryer basket; this prevents air circulation and results in uneven cooking. Use two batches.
Do not toss the cauliflower in sauce too early; the almond crust will soften from prolonged contact with moisture. Coat just before serving.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Vegan Options
Nut-Free Alternatives
makes coating denser
Full guide →General Alternatives
adjust honey to taste if sauce is sweeter
FAQ
Can I make this ahead and reheat it?
Yes. Cooked wings reheat well in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes to restore crispness. Do not store them in sauce overnight, as the coating softens. Toss in fresh sauce before serving.
What if my cauliflower isn't getting crispy?
Ensure you're using an air fryer (not a convection oven) and that the basket isn't overcrowded. Shake halfway through cooking. If your air fryer runs cool, increase the temperature to 375°F or cook an extra 2-3 minutes.
How long can I keep leftovers?
Refrigerate cooked wings for 2-3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the air fryer to restore texture. Frozen cooked wings last up to 1 month; add 5 minutes to the reheating time.