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Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Easy Blue Cheese Dip

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These crispy air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites are a spicy, crunchy, and creamy snack perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining. Paired with an easy blue cheese dip, they offer a flavorful alternative to traditional buffalo wings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
  • ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (120ml) water, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ cup (120ml) buffalo sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup (about 75g) crumbled blue cheese
  • ¼ cup (60g) mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup (60g) sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives or parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse and cut 1 medium head of cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together ½ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Slowly add ½ cup water while whisking until smooth and slightly thick but pourable.
  3. Add the cauliflower florets to the batter and toss gently until each piece is fully coated. Let sit for 5 minutes to let the batter adhere well.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Arrange the battered florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Spray a light mist of oil on the florets before air frying for extra crunch.
  6. While the cauliflower cooks, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and mix with ½ cup buffalo sauce until combined.
  7. Transfer the cooked florets to a large bowl and immediately toss with the buffalo butter sauce until well coated.
  8. In a bowl, combine ½ cup crumbled blue cheese, ¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, and 1 minced garlic clove. Mix until creamy with some small cheese chunks remaining. Garnish with chopped fresh chives or parsley if desired.
  9. Serve the buffalo cauliflower bites warm with the blue cheese dip on the side.

Notes

Dry the cauliflower well before battering to prevent sogginess. Let the batter rest on the florets for better adhesion. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even crisping. Spray a light mist of oil on the florets before air frying for extra crunch. For less spicy bites, reduce buffalo sauce or mix with mild hot sauce. Leftovers reheat best in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-5 minutes to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: buffalo cauliflower, air fryer, blue cheese dip, crispy snack, vegetarian, appetizer, spicy, healthy snack

Find it online: https://evabake.com/crispy-air-fryer-buffalo-cauliflower-bites-with-easy-blue-cheese-dip-recipe/