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Air Fryer Bang Bang

Category: Perfect Side Dishes to Complete Any Meal

Enjoy crispy air-fried cauliflower coated in creamy, spicy bang bang sauce, ideal for snacking or a flavorful side. Each cauliflower floret is dipped in seasoned flour, buttermilk, and panko before air frying to golden crisp perfection. A quick homemade sauce of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime brings a sweet heat that complements the crispy texture beautifully. Perfect for parties, meal prep, or a quick side, these bites deliver crunch with a creamy kick in every bite.

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A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Created By Sarah
Last updated on Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:06:44 GMT
A plate of food with a sauce on it. Save
A plate of food with a sauce on it. | sarahmeal.com

This crispy air fryer bang bang cauliflower brings restaurant-level crunch and creamy spicy flavor right to your kitchen making it a favorite snack or side whenever you crave something bold yet comforting

I first tried this on a weekend when I wanted something fun but not heavy and it became my go to for sharing with friends during movie nights

Ingredients

  • Cauliflower: cut into bite sized florets to catch all the crispy coating
  • All purpose flour: helps the seasoning stick evenly
  • Garlic powder: for warm savory depth
  • Paprika: adds mild heat and color
  • Salt and pepper: to balance the coating
  • Buttermilk or milk with vinegar: for light tang and helps panko adhere
  • Panko breadcrumbs: for maximum crunch
  • Olive oil spray: helps crisp without heavy oil
  • Mayonnaise: forms the creamy base of the sauce
  • Sweet chili sauce: for balanced sweet heat
  • Sriracha: for adjustable spiciness
  • Honey: to round out the flavors
  • Lime juice: for brightness in the sauce
  • Choose fresh cauliflower that feels heavy for its size with no browning on the florets

Step by Step Instructions

Cut the Cauliflower:
Break down the cauliflower into even bite sized florets so they cook uniformly and stay tender inside while crisping outside
Prepare the Breading Stations:
In one bowl mix the flour garlic powder paprika salt and pepper to season every floret in the second bowl add the buttermilk and place the panko in a third bowl
Coat the Cauliflower:
Dip each floret first into the flour mixture then into the buttermilk then into the panko pressing gently to ensure the crumbs stick and give the best crunch
Air Fry Until Golden:
Place the coated florets in a single layer in your air fryer basket spray lightly with olive oil to help browning air fry at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for twelve to fifteen minutes shaking the basket halfway to ensure even crisping
Mix the Sauce:
In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise sweet chili sauce sriracha honey and lime juice until smooth taste and adjust the heat level if you prefer spicier sauce
Serve and Enjoy:
Drizzle the bang bang sauce over the hot crispy cauliflower or serve it on the side for dipping garnish with green onions if you like for fresh color
A plate of cooked cauliflower with a brown sauce. Save
A plate of cooked cauliflower with a brown sauce. | sarahmeal.com

One of my favorite parts of making this is seeing the cauliflower get golden and crunchy in the air fryer while the kitchen fills with the smell of paprika and garlic it always reminds me of weekends spent testing recipes with friends and getting excited to taste together

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days to reheat place them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain their crispiness avoid microwaving as it will soften the coating

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use gluten free panko if you want to keep the recipe gluten free for the sauce you can substitute Greek yogurt for part of the mayonnaise if you prefer a lighter option

Serving Suggestions

Serve these crispy bites as a side with grilled chicken or alongside a fresh green salad they also work great as a party appetizer with toothpicks and a bowl of extra bang bang sauce

A plate of cooked cauliflower with a brown sauce. Save
A plate of cooked cauliflower with a brown sauce. | sarahmeal.com

Cultural Context

Bang bang sauce is inspired by a blend of Asian and American flavors using sweet chili sauce and sriracha which became popular for its balance of spicy sweet and creamy textures on crispy foods

Common Recipe Questions

→ Can I make air fryer bang bang cauliflower ahead of time?
Yes, you can bread the cauliflower ahead and refrigerate for a few hours before air frying when ready to serve.
→ How do I keep the cauliflower crispy?
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket and spray the florets lightly with oil to ensure they crisp evenly without steaming.
→ Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs and a gluten-free flour blend to keep the recipe fully gluten-free.
→ What can I serve with bang bang cauliflower?
Serve it with rice, noodles, or a fresh green salad, or enjoy it as a snack or appetizer with extra bang bang sauce for dipping.
→ Can I adjust the spice level in the sauce?
Yes, reduce or increase the sriracha in the sauce according to your spice preference without affecting the creamy texture.
→ How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain crispiness.

Air Fryer Bang Bang

Crispy air-fried cauliflower in creamy, spicy bang bang sauce for quick snacking or sides.

Preparation Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Total Duration
30 minutes
Created By: Sarah

Recipe Category: Side Dishes

Level of Difficulty: Simple

Cuisine Style: American

Servings Yield: 4 Portion Size (4 servings of crispy cauliflower bites)

Diet Preferences: Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

→ Cauliflower Bites

Ingredient 01 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
Ingredient 02 1 cup all-purpose flour
Ingredient 03 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Ingredient 04 1 teaspoon paprika
Ingredient 05 1/2 teaspoon salt
Ingredient 06 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Ingredient 07 3/4 cup buttermilk or milk with vinegar
Ingredient 08 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Ingredient 09 Olive oil spray

→ Bang Bang Sauce

Ingredient 10 1/2 cup mayonnaise
Ingredient 11 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
Ingredient 12 1 tablespoon sriracha, to taste
Ingredient 13 1 tablespoon honey
Ingredient 14 1 tablespoon lime juice

How to Make It

Instruction 01

Cut the cauliflower into evenly sized bite-sized florets for consistent cooking.

Instruction 02

In one bowl, mix flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour buttermilk into a second bowl and place panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.

Instruction 03

Dip each cauliflower floret in the flour mixture, then into buttermilk, and finally into panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.

Instruction 04

Arrange breaded florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with olive oil and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway through for even crisping.

Instruction 05

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth.

Instruction 06

Drizzle the sauce over the crispy cauliflower or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired.

Additional Tips

  1. Prepare the breaded cauliflower ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to air fry for convenience.
  2. Adjust the heat level by modifying the amount of sriracha in the sauce.
  3. Avoid overcrowding in the air fryer to ensure the cauliflower crisps evenly on all sides.

Essential Tools

  • Air fryer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Tongs
  • Whisk

Allergy Details

Always review ingredient labels for allergens, and consult a professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains eggs from mayonnaise.
  • Contains gluten from all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs.
  • Contains dairy if using buttermilk.

Nutritional Breakdown (per serving)

These nutritional details are for informational purposes and shouldn't replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 280
  • Fat Content: 14 grams
  • Carbohydrate Content: 32 grams
  • Protein Content: 5 grams