This Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower Recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and makes use of the amazing air fryer for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Keep reading to discover how you can enjoy this flavorful dish tonight!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll need for this bangin’ cauliflower recipe:
- 1 medium head of cauliflower (cut into bite-sized florets)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (feel free to substitute with gluten-free flour if you’re in need!)
- 2 large eggs (beaten; you can opt for a vegan alternative like flaxseed or applesauce if you prefer)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (again, gluten-free can totally work here)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (use vegan mayo for a vegan-friendly version)
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce (for that perfect sweet heat)
- 1 tablespoon honey (or a vegan sweetener like maple syrup)
- 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce (adjust to your spice preference!)
Now that we’ve got our ingredients set, let’s dive into the cooking process!
How to Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). If your air fryer has a preheating setting, just follow the manufacturer’s instructions!
Step 2: Prepare the Cauliflower
Next, grab your cauliflower florets and toss them in a large bowl. Sprinkle with a couple pinches of salt and pepper, because we all know seasoning is key! Have fun with it, really get those spices mixed in!
Step 3: Dredge the Cauliflower
Now it’s time for the fun part. Set up a little dredging station. In one bowl, add your all-purpose flour, and in another, your beaten eggs. Then, place the panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl. Dredge each cauliflower floret in the flour, then dip it into the egg mixture, breathing in that lovely egg aroma, and finally coat with breadcrumbs. Make sure to press the breadcrumbs onto the florets to really get them stuck, the crispier, the better!
Step 4: Air Fry the Cauliflower
Once your florets are breaded, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Be sure they’re not touching, we want that fresh air to circulate all around and get them perfectly crispy. Work in batches if necessary.
Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking. You’re looking for that gorgeous golden-brown color that tells you they’re crispy and ready to go!
Step 5: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
While the cauliflower gets all nice and crispy, let’s whip up the bang bang sauce! In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, and hot sauce. Adjust the seasoning as you like, add a bit more honey if you want more sweetness or more hot sauce if you’re feeling a little spicy!
Step 6: Toss and Serve!
Once your cauliflower is done cooking, transfer it to a large bowl and toss it with the Bang Bang sauce until everything is well coated. Don’t be shy; you want every floret to be bursting with flavor! Serve immediately, garnished with optional green onions or sesame seeds if desired. Your family will be begging for seconds!
If you loved this Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower, be sure to check out my Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls, my Air Fryer Egg Rolls, or my Air Fryer Chicken Thighs! Each one is perfect for quick and flavorful meals that your family will love.
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This Bang Bang Cauliflower comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy weeknight dinners when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Toss everything together, let the air fryer do its magic, and voilà, dinner is served!
Customizable
One of the best parts of this recipe? You can customize it to your heart’s content! Want to add some garlic powder, or maybe some spices like paprika or cumin? Go for it! This is all about using what you have and getting creative with flavors.
Crowd-Pleaser
With its crispy exterior and creamy bang bang sauce, this dish truly is a crowd-pleaser. I promise, even your pickiest eaters will be asking for more. It’s always a hit at family gatherings or casual dinners with friends.
Comfort Food
If you’re like me, you crave comfort food, especially after a long week. And this air fryer bang bang cauliflower definitely fits the bill, loaded with tons of flavor and that satisfying crunch, it’s the kind of thing you’ll want to come home to.
Serving and Storage Tips
What to Serve With This
This Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower makes a great side dish or even a main meal! You can serve it alongside some rice or quinoa, toss it into a salad, or enjoy it with some crispy sweet potato fries.
Keeping It Fresh
If you have any leftovers (which is rare, but hey, it could happen), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep for about 3-4 days. Trust me, you’ll want to reheat and enjoy these crispy bites again!
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes. This will get them crispy again. You could also use a regular oven, if that’s what you have on hand, but air frying is really best for that crunch!
Freezer-Friendly?
Yes! These can be frozen. Just make sure they are well-cooled before you pop them in an airtight container. When you’re ready to eat, just air fry from frozen at your typical cooking temperature until heated through.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Tips for Success
Perfectly Crispy: To ensure your cauliflower gets that desired crunch, try not to overcrowd your air fryer basket. Air circulation is key here!
Experiment with the Sauce: If the classic bang bang sauce isn’t your thing, mix it up! Try adding sriracha for a fiery kick, or even some lime juice for a zesty twist.
Prep Ahead: You can prepare the cauliflower ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to air fry it. Just coat in flour and breadcrumbs, and then right before serving, air fry for that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.
So there you have it, my Easy Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower Recipe that’s ready to become a staple in your busy weeknight dinners! Trust me, once you make this, your family will be wanting it on repeat.
Let me know how it goes when you try it, and don’t forget to share your creations with me! Happy cooking, friends!
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Easy Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This delicious Easy Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower comes together in about 30 minutes and is a quick, flavorful dish your family will love!
Ingredients
- 1 medium head of cauliflower (cut into bite-sized florets)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 2 large eggs (beaten; or vegan alternative like flaxseed)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free panko)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or vegan mayo)
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey (or vegan sweetener like maple syrup)
- 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with salt and pepper.
- Set up a dredging station with three bowls: flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. Dredge each floret in flour, dip in eggs, and coat with breadcrumbs.
- Place the breaded florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, and hot sauce to make the bang bang sauce.
- Toss the cooked cauliflower in the bang bang sauce until well coated and serve immediately.
Notes
Customize the recipe with your favorite seasonings like garlic powder or spices. For leftovers, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 70mg