Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings (Crispy & Easy)

Sep 4

3 min read

These Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings are crispy on the outside, tender inside, and incredibly easy to make. Cauliflower florets get lightly coated with olive or avocado oil and arrowroot powder, then air fried until golden and crunchy before being tossed in your favorite sauce. No heavy batter or deep frying required!

Crispy air fryer cauliflower wings with three different sauces and lime.

They're perfect for game day, a quick appetizer, party food, or an easy meatless meal. And because you can toss them in any sauce you love, you can make a completely different flavor every time.

Cauliflower florets paired with oil and flour, prepped for air frying.

Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings (Crispy & Easy) Ingredients

1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
1–2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
3 tablespoons arrowroot powder
Additional olive or avocado oil, for spraying
Your favorite wing sauce, for tossing

Optional Toppings

Fresh lime juice
Chopped cilantro or parsley
Green onions
Crumbled blue cheese
Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for dipping

Golden brown cauliflower wings fresh from the air fryer, served with a vibrant 24 caret dip, tangy barbecue sauce, and a zesty lime garnish.

Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings (Crispy & Easy) Instructions

1. Prepare the Cauliflower

Wash the cauliflower thoroughly and completely dry it. This is important! Excess moisture can keep the arrowroot coating from getting nice and crispy.

Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets and place them in a large bowl.

2. Coat the Cauliflower

Add 1–2 tablespoons of olive oil or avocado oil and toss well, making sure the cauliflower is lightly coated.

Sprinkle the arrowroot powder over the cauliflower and toss again until the florets are evenly coated.

If you see areas where the arrowroot powder is still dry or powdery, give those spots a light spray of oil and toss again. You want the arrowroot to lightly adhere to the cauliflower rather than sitting on top in dry patches.

3. Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.

While the air fryer preheats, prepare your favorite sauce.

4. Air Fry

Place the cauliflower in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure the pieces aren't touching or overcrowded.

Air fry at 375°F for 15–20 minutes, flipping the cauliflower once halfway through cooking.

Cook until the cauliflower is tender inside and golden and crispy around the edges.

Depending on the size of your florets and your air fryer, you may need a few additional minutes.

5. Sauce It Up

Remove the crispy cauliflower from the air fryer and immediately transfer it to a large bowl.

Pour over your favorite sauce and toss until the cauliflower is evenly coated.

Serve immediately while the cauliflower is still hot and crispy.

A trio of freshly air-fried wings featuring distinct sauces, garnished with fresh herbs and accompanied by a vibrant lime, ready to be served.

Sauce Ideas

Golden cauliflower wings glazed in rich 24 Carat sauce.

The beauty of these cauliflower wings is that you can change the flavor every time.

Try them with:

Quick, Easy Buffalo Sauce with Heat
Healthy Creamy Horseradish Mustard Sauce
Creamy Cilantro Lime Drizzle
24 Carat Sauce – golden, spicy, citrusy, and buttery
BBQ sauce
Spicy General Tso sauce
Chipotle lime sauce
Garlic Parmesan sauce
Jalapeño lime sauce

Why You'll Love These Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings

Crispy without deep frying
Only a few basic ingredients
Ready in about 20 minutes
Arrowroot powder creates a light, crunchy coating
Use any sauce you love
Perfect for game day or parties

Crispy Cauliflower Wing Tips

Dry your cauliflower completely. This is probably the most important step. Water will work against that crispy arrowroot coating.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Give the cauliflower plenty of room for the hot air to circulate. Work in batches if necessary.

Sauce at the end. Tossing the cauliflower in sauce after air frying keeps the coating much crispier.

Want them extra crispy? Give the finished cauliflower another 2–3 minutes in the air fryer before saucing.

These crispy cauliflower wings are quick, easy, and endlessly customizable. Pick your sauce, toss, and enjoy!