Vegan Cauliflower Buffalo Wings [Oven or Air Fryer]

4.85 from 40 votes

Cauliflower buffalo wings are spicy, delicious and flavourful. Crispy on the outside, tender in the middle for the perfect game day snack!

Prep Time25 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time55 mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Canadian

Servings: Servings

Calories: 118kcal

Author: Rosa

If making the ranch dipping sauce, start by putting your cashews to soak before you begin prepping your cauliflower. Once soaked, prepare the ranch according to its directions and refrigerate until needed.
Line a baking tray with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.
Place your cut up cauliflower in a large bowl. Then in a separate bowl, combine your flour and all the seasonings and mix to combine. Then add the milk and mix well to make your batter. Now pour the batter into your bowl with the cauliflower and mix well to evenly coat each piece.
Place your coated cauliflower on your prepared baking tray, one at a time, in a single layer and bake for 20 minutes. Flip once at the halfway point.
Meanwhile, prepare your buffalo wing sauce by adding all its ingredients to a small sauce pan. Whisk to combine and simmer over medium heat 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavours to combine.
Remove the cauliflower from the oven, and coat the bites in your buffalo sauce. I use a silicone brush to brush each piece of cauliflower with a generous amount of the sauce. Then return to the oven for 10-15 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
Serve with ranch and dunk away.

Place your cut up cauliflower in a large bowl. Then in a separate bowl, combine your flour and all the seasonings and mix to combine. Then add the milk and mix well to make your batter. Now pour the batter into your bowl with the cauliflower and mix well to evenly coat each piece.
Place your coated cauliflower into your crisp basket, inside the Ninja Foodi appliance. Then set it to 390 degrees F and air fry for 20 minutes, shaking your basket every 5 minutes or so.
Meanwhile, prepare your buffalo wing sauce by adding all its ingredients to a small sauce pan. Whisk to combine and simmer over medium heat 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavours to combine.
Then use a silicone brush to evenly coat your florets in the buffalo sauce. Continue air frying for another 10-15 minutes, shaking or flipping your florets at the halfway point. Cook time will vary according to the air fryer model you're using and floret size.
Serve with ranch and dunk away.

If using the ranch dressing, prepare first and refrigerate until needed.

For nut free, use soy or oat milk instead of cashew.

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and reheat in your air fryer, oven or toaster oven.

Expert Tips for the BEST results, every time!

After coating your Buffalo cauliflower wings in the batter, do not dump them onto your baking tray. Excess batter at the bottom of the bowl will pool on your tray, causing the bites to stick together, and stick to the parchment paper. This will make them less crispy.
I know it's tedious, but for best results, place your vegan buffalo wings on your baking tray, one piece at a time.
Make sure your vegan buffalo wings are in a single layer, with space in between each one. This will help crisp them up more.
Flip your cauliflower at the halfway point of the first AND second round (after coating in the Buffalo sauce) of baking. This helps get the most crispiness out of these delicious buffalo bites.