Cauliflower Wings in Air Fryer

Chicken wings is the most popular American game night snack. I had the vegetarian version of this dish for the first time in California Pizza Kitchen a few years ago. It is made with cauliflower florets, dipped in batter and fried. I made a guilt free version in the air fryer, and tossed it in buffalo sauce and served it with blue cheese dip. It was heavenly!

Ingredients: 

1 Head of cauliflower

3/4  Cup all- purpose flour 

3/4  Cup milk or soy milk

1/4 Cup water (more if required)

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 1/2 teaspoons paprika powder

 

salt to taste

black pepper to taste

3/4 Cup panko breadcrumbs

2/3 Cup hot pepper sauce (I used Frank's Red Hot)

1/2 Cup cold butter

1 1/2 Tablespoons white vinegar

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

salt to taste 

Method:

1. Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets.

                                                    

2. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, milk, water, garlic powder, paprika powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well until combined to make a thick batter.

                                            

3. Dip the florets into the batter to coat completely.

                                                          

4. Roll them in the panko breadcrumbs. 

                                                        

5. Preheat the air fryer for 2 minutes at 370. Spray the basket with oil. Place the cauliflower florets in the basket in one layer. Spray the top of the florets with oil. Cook the "wings" for 15 minutes, turning them in between.  Remove from the air fryer and place them in a large bowl. Continue process with remaining florets.

                          

6. While the cauliflower is cooking you can make the buffalo wings sauce.

7. Combine the hot sauce, butter, vinegar, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt in a saucepan and place it on medium heat. Bring it to simmer while stirring with a whisk. When the liquid begins to boil, remove from heat and set it aside for use.

                                                             

8. Just before serving, place cooked cauliflower wings to a bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over the cauliflower wings. Evenly coat them by stirring them a few times.

                                                             

9. Place the coated hot wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees F. or in the air fryer ( without the parchment paper) until crisp.

10. Serve immediately with ranch sauce or blue cheese dip.

                                                        

Notes:

• Rolling the cauliflower wings in panko breadcrumbs after dipping them into the batter makes them a lot crispier.
• You can use chickpea flour (besan) instead of all-purpose flour.
• You can use soy milk or almond milk instead of regular milk.
• Serve the wings immediately after making.
• You can reheat them in the oven for 10-15 minutes to bring back the crispness.