Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

The secret to buffalo cauliflower perfection lies in double breading each floret in cheesy breadcrumbs, then carefully coating every nook and cranny with nonstick spray.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 small head cauliflower (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into even 3/4-inch-florets (4 cups)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs seasoned with Parmesan
• 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs seasoned with Pecorino Romano
• 4 large eggs
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• Nonstick cooking spray, for the cauliflower florets
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup Buffalo-style hot sauce
• Diced chives, for serving
• Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving
• Special equipment:
• 5.5 L air fryer

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Arrange the cauliflower on a baking sheet and set up a breading station next to it: Fill one shallow bowl with the Parmesan breadcrumbs, another shallow bowl with the panko breadcrumbs and third shallow bowl with the eggs and milk. Whisk together the eggs and milk until combined. Working with several cauliflower florets at a time, roll them in the egg mixture until fully coated, shake off excess egg, then roll them in the Parmesan breadcrumbs until fully coated. Roll them in the egg mixture a second time, shaking off excess egg, and finally, roll them in the panko breadcrumbs until fully coated. Transfer the breaded pieces back to the baking sheet. Repeat until all the cauliflower florets are breaded. Preheat a 6L air fryer to 190 degrees C. Preheat the oven to 120 degrees C. Pick up each cauliflower floret and spray it all over with nonstick spray, making sure to coat every nook and cranny. Arrange some of the florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket without touching (you will probably have to work in two batches). Air fry the florets, flipping them once, until golden and crispy, about 12 minutes. Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm. Air fry the remaining cauliflower. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large, shallow microwave-safe bowl, about 1 minute. Whisk in the hot sauce. Add the cauliflower to the bowl and toss to combine with the hot sauce until fully coated. For the crispiest results, serve the bites immediately sprinkled with chives with the dressing alongside. As the bites sit, they’ll become slightly less crispy, just like wings, but they’ll still be just as tasty.