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The Ultimate Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings Recipe (No Soggy Bites!)

A bowl filled with perfectly cooked, crispy air fryer cauliflower wings coated in a reddish-orange seasoning.
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Follow this detailed method to achieve truly crispy cauliflower wings in your air fryer using a double-dip coating technique that prevents sogginess.

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 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Cooking spray (oil-based)
  • Your choice of sauce (e.g., Buffalo sauce)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Prepare the dry dredge: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.
  3. Prepare the wet dip: Pour the plant milk into a separate shallow bowl.
  4. Prepare the crispy coating: In a third bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs and cornstarch thoroughly.
  5. Coat the cauliflower: Take a floret and dip it first into the dry dredge, shaking off excess.
  6. Next, dip the floured floret completely into the plant milk, letting excess drip off.
  7. Finally, press the wet floret firmly into the panko mixture, ensuring it is fully coated. Place the coated floret on a wire rack or plate. Repeat for all florets.
  8. Lightly spray the coated florets with cooking spray on all sides. This helps with browning and crisping.
  9. Arrange the florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd; work in batches if necessary.
  10. Air fry for 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
  11. Flip the florets gently and spray again with cooking spray. Cook for another 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown and very crispy.
  12. Remove the wings from the air fryer and immediately toss them in your desired sauce, or serve the sauce on the side.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, allow the coated florets to rest on the rack for 10 minutes before air frying. This lets the coating set.
  • If you prefer a thicker batter, mix 1/2 cup flour with 1/2 cup water and 1 teaspoon baking powder to create a thin batter before the double-dip process.
  • Do not skip the final spray of oil before cooking; this is key to achieving a fried texture.
  • If using Buffalo sauce, toss the wings immediately after they come out of the air fryer so the residual heat helps the sauce adhere.

Nutrition

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