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The Ultimate Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings

A pile of golden brown, crispy air fryer cauliflower wings stacked on a white plate.
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Make perfectly crispy cauliflower wings in your air fryer. This recipe focuses on a dry coating technique to achieve maximum crunch without deep frying.

Ingredients

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  • 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
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 cup cold water (or unsweetened plant milk for richer coating)
  • Cooking spray (oil-based)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cauliflower: Wash the florets and dry them thoroughly using paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth. This step is key for crispiness.
  2. Mix the dry coating: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and paprika.
  3. Create the batter: Slowly whisk the cold water into the dry mix until you have a thin, pancake-like batter consistency. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine.
  4. Coat the cauliflower: Dip each dry floret into the batter, allowing excess to drip off. You want a thin, even coat, not a thick glob.
  5. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (195 degrees Celsius) for 5 minutes.
  6. Arrange in the basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the battered florets in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch. Work in batches if necessary.
  7. Air fry: Cook for 10 minutes. Open the basket, flip or shake the florets gently, and spray lightly with cooking spray again.
  8. Increase heat and finish: Increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) and cook for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until the wings are deep golden brown and very crispy.
  9. Toss with sauce (optional): Immediately transfer the hot, crispy wings to a large bowl. Toss gently with your preferred sauce, such as buffalo sauce or BBQ sauce. Serve right away.

Notes

  • For extra crunch, try a double-dip method: Coat the florets once, let them sit for 5 minutes, then dip them back into the batter for a second, thicker coat before air frying.
  • If you prefer a drier, breaded texture over a battered texture, substitute the batter with 1/2 cup flour mixed with 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs and toss the wet florets in this mixture.
  • Serve with vegan ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Nutrition

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