Bang Bang Cauliflower in the Air Fryer
Bang bang cauliflower is a battered, crunchy vegetarian alternative to chicken wings, coated in a creamy, sweet and spicy sauce. Deep-fried it is messy; in the air fryer a light batter crisps up in about 18 minutes with very little oil. This page shows how to make bang bang cauliflower air fryer style, with a sauce you can mix in two minutes.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 33min
- Prep
- 15min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 245kcal
Why the air fryer works for bang bang cauliflower
Bang bang cauliflower air fryer recipes work because the batter sets quickly in fast, dry hot air. A thin flour and cornflour coat crisps up on the outside while the cauliflower inside steams to tender, much like deep-fried cauliflower wings but without a pan of hot oil. The sauce, a mix of mayonnaise, sweet chilli and sriracha, is added at the end, so the crunch lasts.
If you only want a simple roasted vegetable, take a look at the plain cauliflower in the air fryer page. This recipe is a different thing: a sticky, crunchy, shareable snack. Cauliflower wings in the air fryer are best in a 5–6 litre basket and cooked in two batches, since the florets need space to crisp.
How to make bang bang cauliflower in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cut the florets Trim the cauliflower into florets about 4 cm wide. Smaller pieces crisp better than large ones. Pat them dry.
- Make the batter Whisk the flour, cornflour, garlic, paprika and salt with the milk into a thick, smooth batter that coats the back of a spoon.
- Coat Dip each floret into the batter, let the excess drip off, and place on a plate. Brush or spray the basket with oil. Preheat the air fryer to 200 °C for .
- Cook Lay the florets in the basket in one layer, leaving gaps. Cook for , shaking gently after , until crisp, golden and cooked through. Work in two batches if needed.
- Make the sauce and toss Stir the mayonnaise, sweet chilli, sriracha and vinegar together. Toss the hot cauliflower in the sauce in a large bowl, scatter over the spring onions and sesame seeds, and serve at once.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Bang Bang Cauliflower | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Battered bang bang cauliflowerShake halfway | 200 °C | 16–18 min |
| No-batter cauliflower bitesToss in cornflour | 200 °C | 12–14 min |
| Vegan versionOat milk and vegan mayo | 200 °C | 16–18 min |
| Gluten-free versionGluten-free flour mix | 200 °C | 16–18 min |
| Reheating cooked cauliflower | 180 °C | 6–8 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Dry the florets. Wet cauliflower makes the batter slide off. Pat dry with kitchen roll after washing.
- Sauce last. Coat the hot cauliflower just before serving; if it sits in sauce, the crust softens within minutes.
- Adjust the heat. Start with 1 tbsp sriracha and add more to taste. Sweet chilli balances the heat.
Serving
Serve the cauliflower as a starter or party snack, or as a main with egg-fried rice and a cucumber salad. It goes well with spring rolls and a bowl of broccoli for a vegetarian Asian-style spread. Bang bang cauliflower air fryer portions also suit a pub-style night in with a dip and a cold drink. For other vegetable timings see the air fryer cooking times chart.
Storing and reheating
Keep leftovers undressed in the fridge for up to 2 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the air fryer at 180 °C for 6–8 minutes, until crisp and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C), then toss in fresh sauce. Store the sauce separately for up to 4 days.
Variations
- Gluten-free: Replace the plain flour with a gluten-free flour mix and check the sweet chilli sauce label.
- Honey sriracha: Use 1 tbsp honey instead of sweet chilli sauce for a stickier sauce (not vegan).
- Panko crumb: Dip the battered florets into panko breadcrumbs for an extra-crunchy coating, and spray lightly with oil.
Troubleshooting
- The batter is soggy or falls off
- The cauliflower was wet or the batter too thin. Pat the florets dry and make a thick batter. Do not crowd the basket, and avoid tossing in the sauce until serving.
- The cauliflower is still raw in the middle
- The florets were too large. Cut them to 4 cm, or lower the heat to 190 °C and add 3 minutes so the batter does not burn.
- The batter sticks to the basket
- Brush the basket generously with oil before loading, and loosen the pieces gently with a spatula after 8 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you air fry bang bang cauliflower?
Battered florets take 16–18 minutes at 200 °C, shaken halfway. Unbattered florets cook in 10–12 minutes at 200 °C but are less crisp.
Can you make bang bang cauliflower without breading?
Yes. Toss the raw florets in a little oil, salt and cornflour and cook at 200 °C for 12–14 minutes. They will be roasted rather than crunchy, but still good with the sauce.
Is bang bang cauliflower vegan?
Not as written, because of the milk and mayonnaise. Use oat milk and vegan mayonnaise and it becomes fully vegan.
Can you freeze bang bang cauliflower?
Freeze the cooked, undressed florets on a tray, then bag them up for up to 2 months. Reheat at 180 °C for 8–10 minutes and toss in fresh sauce.
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