Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings Recipe (2024)

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Perfect air fryer cauliflower wings with a soft center and crispy crust ready to be dipped in our creamy garlicky vegan aioli. Easy to make, no breading, no batter, no butter needed, naturally gluten free and vegan, these delicious cauliflower bites are not to be missed.

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Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings

Your new favorite game day appetizer boss, finger licking good delicious cauliflower wings that you won’t want to share. They must be eaten hot as soon as they come out of the air fryer, so make sure to have all your favorite dipping sauces lined up and ready to go! Great served alongside our fan favorite roasted broccoli + vegan spinach artichoke dip.

How to Air Fry Cauliflower Wings

  1. Preheat Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer to 450”F.
  2. Cut the cauliflower into large florets, coat them in a light spray of olive oil and toss with the spices.
  3. Arrange the florets in the air fryer tray / basket without touching each other. Work in batches if needed.
  4. Air fry until golden brown with crispy edges and enjoy hot with our Vegan Aioli or your favorite dipping sauces.

FAQs

  • Which air fryer do you use? I started with the Cuisineart toaster oven/ air fryer which broke in a year boohoo then switched to the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer and we absolutely love it. It’s perfect for our recipe testing, endless batches of this Peanut Tofu, heats up extremely quick but can also fit a few full trays of goodies. (Watch unboxing video).
  • Do cauliflower wings taste like chicken? No kids, they taste like super yummy cauliflower bites. If you are after a chicken substitute make sure to try our vegan fried chicken instead + our vegan chicken with broccoli.
  • Can I use batter in the air fryer ? Yes, but Don’t do it! I specifically created this recipe without a batter so it is perfect for the air fryer. If you want to use batter i suggest baking that batch instead, or line your air fryer basket with parchment paper. However, using parchment paper will sort of defeat the purpose of air frying because the air can’t circulate through the paper for that extra crispy crust finish. All that being said, If you have the toaster oven air fryer you could place a catch all tray on the bottom and do a batter.

Air Frying Tips

  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer tray / basket.
  • Use high heat, I air fried mine at 450”F using Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer which yields those crispy edges and soft interior.
  • Don’t worry about overcooking, I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to overcook cauliflower.
  • If you want a tempura like coating on your cauliflower florets, sprinkle in 1/4 cup of tapioca together with your spices and toss everything to coat well before air frying.
  • Oven Method: Don’t have an air fryer? No problem, you can use this exact recipe and bake them in the oven like these cauliflower steaks, making sure to flip them half way. Alternatively they can be baked on top of a cooling rack to allow maximum air circulation just like a convection oven.
  • Leftovers – Can be stored in the fridge in lidded glass containers for up to 5 days, but let’s not kid ourselves here. What leftovers?!

Cauliflower Dipping Sauces

  • Vegan Aioli
  • Cashew Queso
  • Chimichurri Sauce
  • Vegan Ranch or BBQ Sauce
  • Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
  • Mango Avocado Sauce
  • Sweet and Sour Sauce.

Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings Recipe (9)

Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings

Perfect air fryer cauliflower wings with a soft center and crispy crust ready to be dipped in our garlicky vegan aioli. Easy to make, no breading, no batter, no butter needed, naturally gluten free, these cauliflower bites are not to be missed!

Print Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:30 minutes mins

Total Time:40 minutes mins

Ingredients

Serving suggestions

  • Lemon or lime wedges, vegan aioli, cashew queso, chimichurri sauce.

Instructions

  • Cut or tear the cauliflower head into florets. Place them in a large bowl. (make decent size florets not baby ones).

  • Use an olive oil spray and give the cauliflower a quick spray all over. Alternatively use about one tablespoon of olive oil. (for WFPB & Plantricious diets omit oil and use a drizzle of tahini or water instead).

  • Sprinkle with the paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper and chili powder if using. Toss to coat well all over.

  • Preheat your air fryer to 450”F.

    (NOTE: I'm using the Breville Smart Oven Air-Fryer, if you are using a different model or brand you need to keep a close eye on it, check for doneness halfway, it might cook quicker or might need extra time).

  • Spread the seasoned cauliflower florets in the air fryer basket/ tray without touching each other. Air fry for 25-30 minutes shaking the tray/ basket half way or carefully flip them using a pair of kitchen tongs. (Note: I used my Breville air fryer / toaster oven so the tray fit all my pieces perfectly. If using a different model with a small basket make sure to work in batches so your cauliflower wings crisp up nicely and not steam.)

  • Serve with this vegan aioli, cashew queso or chimichurri sauce.

WFPB + Plantricious

  • To make this recipe WFPB + Plantricious compliant make sure to omit all oil and replace with a splash of water or a drizzle of tahini instead.

    Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings Recipe (10)

Notes

  • Which air fryer do you use? For this recipe I used my Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer. If you are using a different air fryer model or brand, you need to keep a close eye on your cauliflower, check halfway, it might cook quicker or might need extra time. Adjust accordingly, the cauliflower success is all on you, do it right baby 😉
  • Can I use batter in the air fryer ? Yes but Don’t do it! I specifically created this recipe without a batter so it is perfect for the air fryer. If you want to use batter i suggest baking that batch or line your air fryer basket with parchment paper before adding the florets. However, having the parchment paper there will sort of defeat the purpose of air frying because the air can’t circulate through the parchment paper for that crispy crust finish. All that being said, If you have the toaster oven air fryer you could place a catch all tray on the bottom and do a batter.
  • Oven Method: Don’t have an air fryer? No problem, you can use this exact recipe and bake them in the oven making sure to flip them half way and check for doneness.

Nutrition

Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 626mg | Potassium: 460mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 438IU | Vitamin C: 70mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: air fryer, cauliflower wings, plant based, vegan,

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 73kcal

Author: Florentina

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  1. These were so tasty, the smaller pieces got a little charred but we still loved them. It’s probably a good idea to cut all the cauliflower wings into a very similar size so they all cook at the same time. Will definitely make these again with the same pictured vegan aioli,

    Reply

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Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my cauliflower wings soggy? ›

Baked cauliflower wings can get soggy if too much of the Buffalo sauce is used when coating the wings before going back into the oven. Just lightly coating them will keep them nice and crispy.

Are cauliflower wings healthier than regular wings? ›

Unlike chicken wings, cauliflower is free of cholesterol and low in fat and saturated fat. It's also packed with fiber and antioxidants, making it a powerful food for heart health!

How long do you air fry Birds Eye cauliflower wings? ›

Yes! Air fry them at 400°F (204°C) for 8 minutes. How to air fry bird's eye crispy cauliflower florets?

Why are my cauliflower wings not crispy? ›

The breadcrumbs make the cauliflower wings crispy before the sauce goes on. I've made these without the breadcrumbs before, and it doesn't work without the breading. IF you're NOT gluten-free, you can use regular panko breadcrumbs.

Are cauliflower wings unhealthy? ›

There's not too much fat in these cauliflower wings but the sodium is high. There is dietary fiber and protein though! You also will get some iron and potassium.

Is fried cauliflower healthier than Fried Chicken? ›

This is a great alternative for fried chicken - like for like, it is cheaper, different-nutritious than chicken: less calories, less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber. The coating is also very thin, so doesn't absorb too much fat. 1 tablespoon each of the following: Salt.

Are Buffalo Wild Wings cauliflower vegetarian? ›

This is because the coating can sometimes contain animal products, like milk or honey, or they're deep-fried in animal fat. The cauliflower wings at Buffalo Wild Wings, for example, are meat-free, but they're not vegan because they're cooked in beef fat.

Are cauliflower wings high in carbs? ›

Wholly Veggie Buffalo Cauliflower Wings (6 pieces) contains 20g total carbs, 19g net carbs, 6g fat, 2g protein, and 140 calories.

Why are my wings not crispy in air fryer? ›

Air fryers make foods crispy by circulating air around them, so if there's no room for air to circulate, the wings aren't going to crisp up. That said, you may need to Air Fry in two batches. If some of the wings are bigger than others I like to group them by size so they're done at the same time.

How many wings can you cook at a time in an air fryer? ›

You also can use this recipe to make whole chicken wings in the air fryer: place the wings in a single layer (you'll be able to fit about 3 whole wings at a time).

What protein pairs well with cauliflower? ›

Ground beef and cauliflower combine to create a hearty weeknight casserole that both kids and adults will love. Serve with tortilla chips and sour cream. Carolyn Casner is a longtime recipe tester and contributor for EatingWell.

Does Buffalo Wild Wings make cauliflower wings? ›

Party Cauliflower Wings - Nearby For Delivery or Pick Up | Buffalo Wild Wings.

Does Costco sell cauliflower wings? ›

Now at Costco - Buffalo Cauliflower Wings.

How do you get moisture out of cauliflower? ›

The best way to deal with the liquid is to put the riced cauliflower in a covered microwave-safe dish, heat it thoroughly to get all the liquid out of it you can, then drain it. If you have to cook it on the stovetop, add as little water as possible and stir frequently to keep it from sticking to the pan.

How do you keep wings from getting soggy? ›

Crisp the Skin

Thoroughly pat the wings dry with paper towels before seasoning them with salt and placing them on a baking sheet. Bake at 375˚ until the wings are crisp and brown, about one hour. If you have sauce to put on your wings, do so just before serving to keep them from getting soggy.

How do you make wings less soggy? ›

Use a Wire Rack:After cooking the chicken wings, place them on a wire rack rather than directly on a plate. Elevating them allows air to circulate, preventing condensation that can make the wings soggy. Keep the Oven On Low:Set your oven to a low temperature, around 200°F (93°C).

How do you revive soggy wings? ›

Chicken wings reheat best when using an oven, as this even heating method creates a crispy exterior without drying out the meat. Additionally, air fryers can have similar results as an oven because it helps to retain more moisture than using a microwave, which is the quickest method.

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