These easy Teriyaki Cauliflower Wings are a sticky, crispy and delicious hot snack. Made in the air fryer, they are low-fuss and simple to prep, taking about 35 minutes from start to finish. They’re perfect for game night, parties or just unwinding on the couch after a long week (pro tip: they go very nicely with a cold beer). Made from basic ingredients, they are an affordable alternative to regular chicken wings and are vegan friendly.
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Air Fryer Teriyaki Cauliflower Wings
I love a good easy air fryer recipe. This one was inspired by my popular Buffalo Cauliflower but with a Japanese-inspired twist. Similar to regular buffalo sauce, these Teriyaki Cauliflower Wings are sticky, crispy and a little chewy, but without the spicy flavor. They would make a great snack spread alongside my Rice Paper Tacos, Crispy Sesame Rolls, or Rice Paper Dumplings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- You’d be amazed at how delicious cauliflower is as a plant-based alternative to chicken wings. When roasted (or air fried), cauliflower caramelizes and develops a sweet and slightly nutty flavor profile. It has a more-ish chewy texture as well that turns crispy on the outside and is so satisfying.
- Quick and easy – you can prep the cauliflower and sauce separately in advance then air fry on the day to save time if you’re hosting guests.
- Easy to make with only 15 minutes hands-on time
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for Air Fryer Teriyaki Cauliflower Wings are simple. Made mostly pantry staples, plus fresh cauliflower and scallions to garnish.
Here’s your shopping list for Air Fryer Teriyaki Cauliflower Wings:
- Cauliflower
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Milk
- Flour
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Scallion
- Sesame seeds
- Water
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Garlic cloves
- Ginger
- Corn starch
Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for specific measurements and quantities.
Instructions
Making Teriyaki Cauliflower Wings is straightforward – you bread the cauliflower with panko crumbs, air fry, then coat in the teriyaki sauce and air-fry again until sticky and crispy on the edges. It will take just over half an hour from start to finish. I’ve broken it down into a step-by-step guide below with photos to make it as easy as possible 🙂 For precise measurements, cooking times, and temperatures, refer to the recipe card located at the end of this post.
Step One: Prepare the cauliflower by cutting it into florets.
Step Two: Create a batter by whisking together milk, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Step Three: Coat the cauliflower florets in the batter until fully covered.
Step Four: Roll the battered cauliflower in panko breadcrumbs.
Step Five: Arrange the coated florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Step Six: Air fry the cauliflower until crispy.
Step Seven: In a saucepan, cook the teriyaki sauce ingredients until thickened.
Step Eight: Pour the thickened teriyaki sauce over the cooked cauliflower. Return the coated cauliflower to the air fryer.
Step Nine: Garnish the dish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds before serving.
Substitutions
There’s not a lot of changes that can be made to this recipe as the balance of spices and sauces is important to achieve the right flavor. But here are a few basic swaps you can get away with:
- Milk: You can use any unsweetened milk you’d like. Almond, oat, soy or dairy (if you’re not vegan) will all work just fine.
- Scallions: If you don’t have scallions (spring onions) in the fridge, you can leave them off or swap them for chives or cilantro (coriander) for a fresh garnish.
- Sesame seeds: These are mostly for garnish, so if you don’t have sesame seeds, they can be ommitted.
Storage
These wings taste best when eaten immediately – they’ll have that delicious contrast of sticky sauce and crispy edges. But, of course, you can store them for later if you don’t finish the batch. Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the wings in the air fryer or oven until warmed through – this will get the best finish. You can also microwave them for a quick option, however keep in mind they will be a bit limp and won’t have that same crispy edge.
Expert Tips
For best results, ensure the cauliflower florets are evenly coated in the batter and breadcrumbs before air frying. Really try to work the panko crumbs and batter into all the nooks and crannies of the florets!
FAQ
To cut cauliflower into florets, remove the outer leaves and stem. Then, slice the cauliflower head into smaller florets using a sharp knife.
It’s best to wash cauliflower before cutting. Rinse it under cold water to remove any dirt or debris, then pat it dry before slicing.
Air frying or roasting cauliflower is delicious. It caramelizes slightly, with a mild nutty flavor and lightly chewy texture. Cauliflower can be boiled or steamed as a side dish too, however this will be much less flavorful. It’s versatile and can be used in salads, stir-fries, soups, and more.
No, it’s not necessary to boil cauliflower before cooking in the air fryer or oven, but it can be done if you prefer a softer texture. However, boiling can cause cauliflower to become mushy if overcooked. Proceed with caution!
Cooking time for cauliflower in the air fryer typically ranges from 10 to 15 minutes at 350°F (180°C), depending on the size of the florets and desired level of crispiness. Check your air fryer basket part way through cooking and try to pierce the cauliflower with a fork. If it’s tender and a very light golden colour, then it’s done.
Serving Suggestions and More Recipes
Looking for more tasty appetizers and snacks? Some of my other favorites which are great for snacking are my Crispy Smashed Potatoes, Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings, Plant Based Mac n Cheese Bites with Jalapeños, Airfryer Mushroom, Spicy Hummus Air Fried Potatoes, and Airfryer Tofu.
This Air Fryer Teriyaki Cauliflower Wings recipe is perfect for easy entertaining, game nights, or even just a cozy night in. Let me know what you think of this recipe by leaving a star rating and review below. If you post any photos of the meal on Instagram, please feel free to tag me as I love to see what you’re cooking. My handle is @glowdiaries___ 🙂
Air Fryer Teriyaki Cauliflower Wings
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
Cauliflower Wings:
- 1 medium head of cauliflower about 2.2 lb or 1,000 g; cut into bite-size florets
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk 227g, I used soy, but any will work
- ½ cup all-purpose flour 60g
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder 1.5g
- ½ teaspoon onion powder 1.5g
- ¼ teaspoon salt 1.5g, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1.5g, to taste
- 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs 75g
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish, 7g
- 1 green onion (spring onion) to garnish, 15g
Teriyaki sauce:
- ½ cup water 120 ml
- ¼ cup soy sauce 60 ml
- ¼ cup brown sugar 53 g
- 2 tablespoons agave 42g, or maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic 8g, minced,
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger 6g, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch 8g
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C).
- Add your cauliflower florets to the bowl, using your hands, coat the cauliflower in the batter thoroughly.
- Place the panko breadcrumbs in a separate wide bowl. Working in batches, roll each battered floret in the breadcrumbs until fully coated.
- Arrange the coated florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket (cook in batches if needed). Air fry for 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- While the cauliflower cooks, combine the water, soy sauce, brown sugar, agave, garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and stir frequently for 5–7 minutes, until slightly reduced.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the sauce and stir until thick and glossy. Remove from heat.
- Toss the crispy cauliflower in the warm teriyaki sauce until evenly coated. Return to the air fryer for 5 more minutes to crisp and caramelize the edges.
- Transfer the wings to a serving dish and garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
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