Air-Fryer Vegan Cauliflower Wings: A Tasty, Crispy Treat

How to Make Vegan Cauliflower Wings in an Air Fryer

Vegan cauliflower wings are a tasty, healthier alternative to traditional chicken wings. They are also incredibly easy to make and can be prepared in under 30 minutes. Here is a simple recipe to make your own at home.

Ingredients

- Cauliflower

- Flour (chickpea, gluten-free, all-purpose, or almond)

- Dairy-free milk (oat, soy, almond, or rice)

- Hot sauce (Frank's Red Hot Sauce is a popular choice)

- Spices (onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper)

- Vegan butter or oil

- Optional: breadcrumbs, vegan ranch dressing, celery, and carrot sticks

Method

1. Cut the cauliflower into florets or wing-shaped pieces.

2. Prepare a wet mixture by combining dairy-free milk with cornstarch or flour and spices.

3. Make a dry mixture by whisking flour and spices in a separate bowl.

4. Dip the cauliflower into the dry mixture, then the wet, and again in the dry. Shake off any excess batter.

5. Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-20 minutes at 350-400°F until crispy.

6. Remove from the air fryer and brush with hot sauce or ketchup.

7. Serve immediately with vegan ranch dressing and celery and carrot sticks on the side.

How to cut cauliflower into wing-sized pieces

Preparing cauliflower for air frying is easy. Here is a step-by-step guide:

First, cut the whole head of cauliflower lengthwise into halves, then cut each half into two to make four quarters. Next, cut out the core of the cauliflower by positioning your knife diagonally. You can now easily break the pieces into florets with your hands. If you have large florets, you can cut them into halves or thirds to ensure all the florets are roughly the same size, which will help them cook evenly.

For air fryer cauliflower wings, you want the florets to be big enough to dredge but small enough to eat in one bite. The ideal size is around 1 to 2 inches.

How to make the wet mixture

To make the wet mixture for your vegan cauliflower wings, you'll need to combine the following ingredients:

• Dairy-free milk (unsweetened non-dairy milk, such as soy or oat milk, is recommended)
• Cornstarch (or arrowroot or potato starch)
• Hot sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot Sauce)
• Spices (garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt)
• Vegan butter (or neutral-flavoured cooking oil, such as avocado, coconut, or olive oil)

For a milder alternative to hot sauce, you can use ketchup or BBQ sauce.

To prepare the wet mixture, start by heating the dairy-free milk and cornstarch together in a medium saucepan until the cornstarch has dissolved. Then, heat the mixture over medium heat until it slightly thickens (about 4-5 minutes), and set it aside to let it cool.

You can also add in some melted vegan butter (or oil) and whisk to combine until the mixture is lump-free.

How to make the dry mixture

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Garlic salt
• Smoked paprika
• Onion powder
• Ground black pepper
• Salt

Method

Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and whisk together. The quantities will depend on how much cauliflower you are cooking, but a good rule of thumb is to use equal parts flour and cornstarch, with smaller amounts of the spices. For example, you could use 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of garlic salt, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Adjust the measurements as needed to coat your cauliflower.

If you want to make this recipe gluten-free, you can substitute gluten-free flour for the all-purpose flour. You can also add nutritional yeast to the dry mixture for a cheesy flavor.

How to dredge the cauliflower

Dredging the cauliflower is a crucial step in achieving that crispy, crunchy texture that makes these vegan cauliflower wings so irresistible. Here's a detailed guide on how to dredge the cauliflower to perfection:

Step 1: Prepare the Cauliflower

Begin by cutting the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. You want the florets to be big enough for easy dredging and eating in one bite. Aim for uniformity in size so they cook evenly.

Step 2: Make the Wet and Dry Mixtures

Create two separate mixtures for dredging—a wet mixture and a dry mixture. For the wet mixture, heat dairy-free milk and cornstarch together in a saucepan until the cornstarch dissolves. Then, let it cool slightly. For the dry mixture, whisk together flour and your choice of spices in a large bowl. You can use all-purpose flour or a gluten-free flour blend if you prefer.

Step 3: Dipping and Coating

Now, it's time to dredge the cauliflower! Dip each cauliflower floret into the dry mixture first, ensuring it's well-coated. Then, dip it into the wet mixture, and finally, back into the dry mixture. Make sure to tap off any excess batter after each dip. Continue this process until all the cauliflower florets are well-coated.

Step 4: Arrange in the Air Fryer

Place the dredged cauliflower florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch each other. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Give the basket a gentle shake to ensure nothing is sticking to the bottom.

Step 5: Air Fry to Perfection

Set your air fryer to the desired temperature and time, typically around 350-400°F for 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on the cauliflower and flip or shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. The cauliflower wings are ready when they are crispy and golden on the outside, and tender on the inside.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• Don't crowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between each floret to allow for even cooking and crisping.
• Tap off any excess batter before placing the florets in the air fryer to prevent sogginess and ensure crispiness.
• For an extra crispy coating, consider double-dredging by repeating the dipping process a second time.
• If making a large batch, keep the dredged cauliflower florets in the fridge until you're ready to air fry them.

How to cook the cauliflower in the air fryer

First, cut the cauliflower into florets or wing-shaped pieces. You want them to be bite-sized and all roughly the same size so they cook evenly.

Next, make the batter. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, milk, garlic powder, and salt. You can also add in other spices like onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. If you want a lighter option, you can omit the flour and breadcrumbs and just drizzle some oil over the cauliflower.

Now, toss the cauliflower in the batter until it is well coated. Make sure each floret is thoroughly coated for maximum crispiness. You can use your hands or tongs for this step.

Then, place the battered florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Spray the basket with some oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Set the air fryer temperature to between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 10-20 minutes, or until the cauliflower is crispy and tender. You may need to flip the florets halfway through the cooking time.

Finally, remove the cauliflower from the air fryer and brush or toss with your desired sauce. Serve immediately while still crispy and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions