These homemade Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites are a healthy and delicious snack and the perfect appetizer. I’m thinking will be your new fave veggie recipe! Whip up some delicious cauliflower BBQ bites in an air fryer for a healthier twist on this classic snack!

The air fryer cooks vegetables awesomely and we like to use it all the time. If you love cooking in your air fryer then you might also like our Air Fryer Tempura Broccolini and Sweet Potato dish too.

 

Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites

 

So What are Cauliflower BBQ Bites?

These vegetarian (or vegan appetizers) are a variation on the normal chicken buffalo wings by substituting the chicken with cauliflower florets.  Raw cauliflower is dipped into a batter, air fried and then coated in a spicy honey BBQ sauce creating the most delicious party appetizer or snack food.

 

 

 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • A very easy air fryer recipe.  These air fryer cauliflower bites only take a few minutes to prep and cook. (no need for a deep fryer)
  • Quicker to cook than the normal buffalo chicken wings.
  • Super simple ingredients. A little flour and spice and some BBQ sauce and condiments and you’re in business my friend.
  • A vegetable based party appetizer that will please even the most hardcore meatloaves in you’re household.

 

 

Recipe Ingredients

“You’ll need the following ingredients to make this amazing Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ wings.

 

Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites (1)

 

Ingredient Notes

Siracha Sauce –  this is a spicy hot sauce found in supermarkets and Asian grocers.  Feel free to omit if you’re not into a little heat. We love the Flying Goose brand and use the Original Siracha Sauce.

Dijon Mustard – milder mustard perfect addition for this slightly spicy BBQ sauce

BBQ Sauce – we’ve used the normal BBQ sauce from our local supermarket. Feel free to use your favorite sauce instead.

Fresh Cauliflower – Use raw cauliflower florets. (super easy).

 

How to make Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites STEP BY STEP

 

STEP 1. 

In a small bowl add the apple cider vinegar to the milk and set aside for 5 minutes.

 

Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites (4)

 

STEP 2.

Pop your barbecue sauce ingredients into a small saucepan and cook till simmering.  Take off heat and set aside.

 

Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites (2)

 

STEP 3

Mix the spices in a medium to large bowl with the flour. Add the milk mix to make the batter.

 

 

Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites (5)

 

STEP 4

Coat the cauliflower florets and place half the mix in a single layer into the air fryer bucket.  Cook for 7 minutes, turn and cook the other side for 5-6 minutes or till tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside.

HOW TO MAKE Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites (1)

STEP 5.

Pop the cooked cauliflower pieces on to a serving plate and pour over the honey barbeque sauce, sprinkle with some green herbs and eat while hot.

Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites 1

 

Recipe Tips

Cooking time might vary depending on the size of your cauliflower florets.  If needed add or subtract a few minutes each cook time.

You may feel his batter recipe is a little thick in consistency, but the coated cauliflower little excess drip and makes for a crispy coating.

 

Storage and Reheating

If you have any leftovers store in the fridge in an airtight container.

We re-heated our Air Fryer BBQ Cauliflower Bites in the microwave for a couple of minutes. We do think they are best eaten at the time of cooking and think there won’t be any leftovers.

 

Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites (6)

 

Additions and Substitutions

Taco’s – Turn these babies into cauliflower tacos and add some crunchy slaw as well. My favorite part.

Flours – Replace the plain four with gluten free flour.

Milk substitutions – Use your favourite plant milk and feel free to substitute Almond milk for regular dairy options.

Joosh up the spice factor  –  Why not add a tiny bit of chili powder as well if you like it hot! Or even some onion powder too.

Herbs – Coriander (or cilantro) would be super yum also.  Sprinkle on top of the BBQ sauce.

Swap out the honey for sugar if you want to make this a vegan alternative.

 

Want to try our easy to make Salads with only 7 Ingredients?

Grab your free eBook here.

12 summer Salads with 7 ingredients or less (6)

 

Rate the recipe

I hope you love this Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites recipe)!  If you make it, be sure to leave a star rating so I know how you liked it!

FAQ’S 

Can I cook cauliflower wings in an oven instead of an air fryer?

Yes, you can definitely cook cauliflower wings in an oven instead of an air fryer! While using an air fryer may give you a crispier exterior, the oven can still produce delicious and yummy cauliflower wings.

To make cauliflower BBQ bites in the oven, preheat your oven to 190 degrees Celsius or 375°F.Follow the same directions as above, but instead place the coated florets on a baking sheet linked with baking or parchment paper and roast for 20 – 25 minutes until the florets are golden brown. (temp will depend on how your oven cooks so maybe check during the cook to see if it needs lowering or making slightly hotter).

 

 

Recipe Card

5 from 2 votes
Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites
Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
 

Tantalize your taste buds with these Air Fryer Honey BBQ Cauliflower Wings! Perfectly air fried to crispy perfection, and smothered in a delectably sweet and spicy BBQ sauce

Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer cauliflower bbq bites, cauliflower bites
Servings: 4
Calories: 244 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 Head of Cauliflower cut into florets
  • ¾ cup plain flour or gluten free plain flour
  • ¾ cup milk normal or plant based
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp parsley chopped. (or 1 tsp dried)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
BBQ Sauce Ingredients
  • ¾ cup BBQ sauce any kind you love
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbs honey
  • 1 tsp siracha sauce
Instructions
  1. Mix the apple cider vinegar and milk and set aside for 5 minutes.

  2. Into a small saucepan add the BBQ sauce, mustard, honey and siracha sauce and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and set aside.

  3. Combine the flour, garlic powder, paprika, parsley, salt and black pepper. Add the milk mix to the flour and combine. This will be a thickish kind of batter.

  4. Dip half the cauliflower florets into the batter and layer into the air fryer basket. Cook on 200 degree Celsius or 395 Fahrenheit for 7 minutes. Turn and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes till golden brown.

  5. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.

  6. Pour over the BBQ sauce and sprinkle with either chopped fresh chives, shallots, coriander or parsley and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

You can substitute plain flour for gluten free plain flour.

To re-heat pop into the microwave for a couple of minutes.

Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites
Amount Per Serving
Calories 244 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 5mg2%
Sodium 931mg40%
Potassium 262mg7%
Carbohydrates 52g17%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 29g32%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 322IU6%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Calcium 84mg8%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

About Sonya

Air Fryer Cauliflower BBQ Bites 2Helloooo, I'm Sonya and I'm one of those late starter's in the exercise department. (but you know you're never too late to start). A retired beauty therapist who likes geeking out in the online world, loves 4-legged fury friends, baking and gardening.