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Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings

Close-up of glossy, orange-glazed Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings piled on a white plate.
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A detailed recipe for making truly crispy cauliflower wings in the air fryer using a double-dip breading method for maximum crunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup unsweetened plant milk (or regular milk)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (to sour the milk)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • Cooking spray (high-heat oil recommended)
  • 1/2 cup Buffalo sauce (or your preferred sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons melted vegan butter (optional, for sauce)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cauliflower: Wash and dry the florets thoroughly. Excess moisture prevents crispness.
  2. Make the wet batter: In a medium bowl, mix the plant milk and apple cider vinegar. Let stand for 5 minutes to curdle slightly.
  3. Make the dry dredge 1: In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.
  4. Make the dry dredge 2 (for crispness): In a separate shallow dish, mix the panko breadcrumbs and cornstarch.
  5. Coat the cauliflower: Dip each floret first into the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Then dip into the soured milk mixture. Finally, press firmly into the panko/cornstarch mix to coat completely.
  6. Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (195 degrees Celsius) for 5 minutes.
  7. Arrange the coated florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd; work in batches if necessary.
  8. Lightly spray the tops of the florets with cooking spray.
  9. Air fry for 12 minutes. Flip the florets, spray the other side lightly, and air fry for another 8 to 10 minutes, until golden brown and very crispy.
  10. While the wings cook, prepare your sauce by whisking the Buffalo sauce and melted butter (if using) in a bowl.
  11. Remove the crispy wings from the air fryer and immediately toss them gently in the sauce until coated.
  12. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For extra crispness, you can repeat the wet dip and dry panko dip (step 5) for a double breading.
  • Do not skip the cornstarch in the final breading mix; it helps absorb moisture during cooking.
  • If your air fryer tends to cook unevenly, check and flip the wings halfway through the cooking time.
  • If you prefer a less spicy wing, use barbecue sauce or a sweet chili sauce instead of Buffalo sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerykings.com/crispy-air-fryer-cauliflower-wings/