Spicy SunButter Cauliflower Wings Recipe for Crispy Vegan Bites

Cauliflower wings battered and air-fried, then tossed in a spicy SunButter sauce for a flavorful appetizer or snack.

Did you catch the Super Bowl a few weeks ago? We had a small watch party at home — beer, vegan burgers, and plenty of surprises on the screen. I’m not a huge sports fan, but I am a huge fan of snacks, so I dusted off the air fryer and tested some new savory bites.

This is the very first air-fryer recipe I’m sharing on Flora & Vino, and of course it had to feature cauliflower. Cauliflower is endlessly versatile, and today it becomes wings. These Spicy SunButter Cauliflower Wings are battered, air-fried, and tossed in a creamy, spicy SunButter sauce for a crunchy, satisfying bite.

What You Need to Make Cauliflower Wings

You don’t have to follow sports to enjoy wings — and you don’t need meat to love them either. The trick to crispy cauliflower wings is a grain-free batter that crisps up nicely in the air fryer.

Ingredients for the cauliflower wings:

Almond flour
Cornstarch
Garlic powder
Paprika
Himalayan sea salt
Unsweetened almond milk
Cauliflower

How to Make Cauliflower Wings

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together almond flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, and sea salt. Add unsweetened almond milk and whisk until smooth.

3. Add cauliflower florets and toss with a spatula until each floret is well coated in the batter.

4. Lift florets from the batter with tongs or forks, letting excess batter drip back into the bowl. Arrange the florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces. Do not stack them; you’ll likely need 2–3 batches, depending on your air fryer and cauliflower size.

5. Air-fry for 5 minutes, then shake the basket and continue for another 5 minutes. Check tenderness at 10 minutes; if not tender, air-fry for an additional 5 minutes. The wings will take roughly 10–15 minutes total, depending on floret size — golden and crisp outside, tender inside.

The cauliflower wings are done when they’re fork-tender inside and lightly browned and crispy on the outside.

What You Need to Make Spicy SunButter Sauce

While the cauliflower finishes, make the Spicy SunButter sauce. It’s creamy, slightly sweet, and has a pleasant kick.

Ingredients for the sauce (makes extra for dipping):

Organic SunButter
Juice from 1 lime
Tamari Lite
Sriracha
Maple syrup
Filtered water (to thin)

How to Make Spicy SunButter Sauce

Whisk all sauce ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth. I used organic SunButter for its nutty flavor and silky texture. The sauce should be thick but pourable — add a little hot water as needed to reach the right consistency.

When the cauliflower wings are finished, transfer them to a large bowl and pour a generous amount of Spicy SunButter sauce over the florets. Toss gently with a spatula to coat — careful not to strip off the breading. Add enough sauce so the wings are well coated but not dripping; reserve extra sauce for dipping.

How to Serve Spicy SunButter Cauliflower Wings

Finish the wings with sliced green onion and sesame seeds, and serve with extra Spicy SunButter sauce for dipping. These make a great happy-hour snack with wine or beer, an appetizer for a main course, or a shareable bite while watching the game. We often polish off a whole head of cauliflower in one sitting!

Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the microwave, though these wings are best enjoyed fresh. Extra sauce is great as a dip for vegetables, crackers, chips, or drizzled over salads, bowls, and sandwiches.

Enjoy!

More Cauliflower Recipes

Tri-Colored Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Rosemary Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Roasted Cauliflower Cashew Queso
Harissa Roasted Cauliflower

I Want to Hear From You

If you try this Spicy SunButter Cauliflower Wings recipe, please leave a comment, rating, or review — your feedback helps me create more recipes. Share your photos on Instagram using #floraandvino so I can see your creations.

XO Lauren