Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower

This crispy Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower turns humble cauliflower into golden addictive bites bursting with creamy spicy flavor. After being coated in seasoned panko and air fried to serious crunch, each piece is drenched in a tangy bold bang bang sauce that features mayo, chili sauce, and lime. It is a fun crowd pleaser for weeknights or parties and simple to adapt for gluten or dairy free eaters.

I first whipped this up on a whim for an after school snack and had to fight off my kids from grabbing seconds before I even finished plating. Since then we make it almost every week.

Ingredients

• Cauliflower florets: fresh and firm cauliflower delivers the best texture and stands up to frying
• All purpose flour: helps the panko stick and gives a crispy crust
• Panko breadcrumbs: creates a light crisp crunch that gives these their signature bite
• Garlic powder: imparts savory flavor into every bite
• Paprika: adds a subtle smoky note and rich color
• Salt and pepper: highlights the flavors and pulls everything together
• Buttermilk: makes the cauliflower tender and helps bind the coating
• Olive oil spray: ensures an even crisp without needing lots of oil
• Mayonnaise: forms a creamy base that brings all the elements together
• Sweet chili sauce: brings sweet savory tang with a mild heat
• Sriracha: adds an adjustable kick of spice
• Honey: smooths the heat and rounds things out with a little sweetness
• Lime juice: brightens everything and balances the richness

Instructions

Prep The Cauliflower:

Cut cauliflower into evenly sized bite pieces rinsing and pat drying before starting to make sure the coating sticks. Uniform pieces guarantee everything cooks at the same rate for perfect texture.

Make The Dredging Station:

Set up three shallow bowls. In the first combine flour garlic powder paprika salt and pepper so all flavors get distributed. Pour buttermilk into the second bowl and put panko breadcrumbs in the third.

Bread The Cauliflower:

Dip each floret thoroughly in seasoned flour then soak it in buttermilk to moisten all sides. Roll immediately in panko pressing gently to ensure every surface is coated for even crisping.

Load The Air Fryer:

Arrange all breaded florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket leaving space between pieces. Crowding prevents proper air circulation so work in batches if needed for crisp results.

Cook Until Crispy:

Lightly spray the tops with olive oil to help browning. Air fry at three hundred seventy five degrees Fahrenheit for twelve to fifteen minutes. At the halfway point shake the basket so all pieces get crispy and golden.

Mix The Sauce:

While the cauliflower cooks whisk together mayonnaise sweet chili sauce sriracha honey and lime juice until completely smooth. Taste and adjust spice to your liking.

Serve And Enjoy:

Transfer hot cauliflower to a serving dish. Either drizzle sauce over or serve the sauce on the side for dipping. I like to scatter fresh green onion for a burst of color and flavor.

I am obsessed with how the chili sauce and lime play off each other in this sauce. The first time I made this for game night my friend stopped mid bite just to ask for the recipe because it was so unexpectedly delicious.

Storage Tips

Keep leftovers in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to two days. When reheating pop them back in the air fryer at three hundred seventy five degrees Fahrenheit for five to seven minutes to revive the crust. Microwave reheating softens the crunch so try to avoid it.

Ingredient Substitutions

For gluten free use your favorite one to one gluten free flour and breadcrumbs. Replace buttermilk with plant based milk plus a splash of lemon or vinegar for a quick dairy free swap. Mayo can be replaced with Greek yogurt or vegan mayo for a lighter version.

Serving Suggestions

Pile this cauliflower on a big platter with extra dipping sauce for easy entertaining or serve alongside rice and veggies for dinner. They also make great party snacks and taste fantastic chopped up in a grain bowl or inside wraps.

Cultural Context

Bang bang sauce takes inspiration from both Asian and American flavor traditions and was made famous by big chain restaurants. The zingy creamy quality of the sauce means it shows up on everything from shrimp to chicken and now crispy vegetables.

Seasonal Adaptations

Switch up the vegetables and enjoy this recipe with broccoli in winter Add a little fresh chopped cilantro for an herbal finish in the summer Try the sauce with roasted sweet potatoes as a fall appetizer

Success Stories

Many readers have told me this recipe finally won over cauliflower skeptics in their family. My own kids want these even more than classic fries. Every party tray I bring always gets emptied by the end.

Freezer Meal Conversion

If you want to make these ahead bread the cauliflower and freeze in a single layer until solid. Transfer to a bag for storage. Air fry straight from frozen adding a few minutes to the cooking time for crispy hot results.

This air fryer bang bang cauliflower is sure to become a go to recipe. Try it once and you will come back to it for every party and snack night craving.

Your Recipe Questions Answered

→ Can I prepare this without an air fryer?

Yes, simply bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp and golden.

→ Is the bang bang sauce very spicy?

The sauce is mildly spicy thanks to sriracha—add more or less to suit your preferred heat level.

→ Can I make this gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs for a delicious alternative.

→ What's a good substitute for mayonnaise?

Greek yogurt or vegan mayo both work well for a creamy, lighter, or plant-based version of the sauce.

→ How do I keep leftovers crispy?

Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 5–7 minutes to revive the crunch.

→ Can I adjust the flavor of the sauce?

Yes, tweak lime juice, chili sauce, or honey quantities to balance the tang, sweetness, and spice to your taste.