Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
These spicy buffalo cauliflower tacos are perfect for an easy weeknight dinner! You can make them in the oven or air fryer. For a low carb option, serve the buffalo cauliflower in romaine lettuce leaves!
I shared a version of these buffalo cauliflower tacos in my cookbook, but I couldn’t resist sharing another version here on the blog. Alex and I both love these tacos because they’re spicy and filling, but they’re so easy to make. It takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, including clean-up time. All you have to do is chop the cauliflower, toss it with sauce, roast it, and then fill your taco shells!
Why You’ll Love These Tacos
- They’re really easy to prepare and they come together quickly with just a few ingredients.
- These buffalo tacos are a budget friendly recipe! You can buy all of these ingredients for about $10 and you’ll have additional buffalo sauce left over!
- You can make them as spicy or as mild as you like, by adjusting the type of buffalo sauce you use. If you like it spicy, use an extra hot sauce!
Oven Method vs. Air Fryer Method
I’m going to share an oven method and an air fryer method for these buffalo cauliflower tacos. The air fryer method is my favorite, but don’t stress if you don’t have one. You can still make delicious tacos in the oven. While the air fryer is an optional appliance, I’ve had a lot of fun using it for everything from chipotle sweet potato fries to roasted chickpeas. And now, I’m adding buffalo cauliflower to the list. The air fryer method is a bit faster, but the oven method works just as well.
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a convection-style oven. It circulates hot air around a metal basket, which creates a crispy outer layer. Not to get all scientific here, but there is something called the Maillard reaction, which is the chemical reaction that gives food a browned or crispy crust. An air fryer makes that reaction happen.
What this means for you is that you can get browned, crispy crusts without having to truly “fry” anything. An air fryer can mimic the texture with just a tiny bit of oil.
I originally purchased the Chefman air fryer and it’s a great option for the price. Now I use the Ninja Foodi which is a grill, dehydrator, and air fryer all in one. But if you don’t have an air fryer, you can still make delicious buffalo cauliflower tacos in the oven!
How to Make Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos in an Air Fryer
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees
- Chop the cauliflower into 1-inch florets then toss with hot sauce and spices.
- Place in the air fryer for 10 minutes, shake the basket to mix it up, then continue to cook until browned.
- Feel free to toss with additional buffalo sauce, if you like!
How to make Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos in the Oven
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, to ensure the cauliflower doesn’t stick.
- Chop the cauliflower into 1-inch florets and toss with sauce and spices.
- Spread the cauliflower into a single layer and bake for 10 minutes, flip the cauliflower and continue baking until it starts to brown
- Feel free to toss with additional buffalo sauce, if you like!
How to Cut Cauliflower for Tacos
If you’re using a full head of cauliflower, carefully remove any outer green leaves. Use a sharp knife to cut the cauliflower into quarters. Then carefully cut the cauliflower into 1″ pieces. The goal is to make the pieces uniform in size, so they cook at the same rate. Smaller pieces of cauliflower will require more sauce because there will be more surface area, so if you decide to cut the cauliflower into smaller pieces, you may need to adjust the sauce.
Can I Use Frozen Cauliflower for Tacos?
I don’t recommend using frozen cauliflower. as it tends to be a bit soggy when roasted in the oven. It works a little better in the air fryer, but if you can, use fresh cauliflower. To save time, you can buy bagged cauliflower that is pre-washed and pre-chopped. Just be sure the pieces aren’t cut too small. Do not use cauliflower rice.
Is Buffalo Sauce Vegan?
Surprisingly, many buffalo sauces are vegan! Many are made with oil instead of butter. Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce is vegan. But as always, be sure to check the list of ingredients to be sure it’s vegan!
The Best Buffalo Sauce for Tacos
For the buffalo sauce, we typically use Frank’s Red Hot, but admittedly, it’s not the “cleanest” list of ingredients. For cleaner options, Tessamae’s and The New Primal both make buffalo sauce that is sugar-free, dairy-free, etc. So if you have dietary restrictions, be sure to check out those sauces!
How to Warm Tortillas
To warm flour or corn tortillas, stack them on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time until they’re heated. Alternatively, you can wrap a stack of 4-6 tortillas in aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes until warmed.
How to Make Low Carb Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
To make this a low carb meal, swap the taco shells for romaine lettuce or butter lettuce. This works best with the larger, outer leaves. Gently wash the leaves and pat dry. Then fill each lettuce leaf with buffalo cauliflower and toppings.
The Best Toppings for Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
I like to top my tacos with cabbage and a drizzle of ranch dressing. This helps balance the spiciness of the tacos and it adds a nice crunch. You can use shredded purple cabbage or a coleslaw mix. You can even use broccoli slaw!
I like to toss the cabbage into a bit of ranch dressing before topping it with cauliflower. My absolute favorite brand is Brianna’s Ranch Dressing. You only need a little bit, but it adds such a nice balance of flavor with the spicy buffalo sauce! If you want to make your own, you could make this avocado ranch dressing instead, which is a bit healthier!
You could also top these tacos with fresh cilantro, chopped red onion, or slices of avocado.
Print
Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer/Oven
- Cuisine: Tacos
Description
These spicy buffalo cauliflower tacos are delicious in the oven or air fryer! For a low carb option, try these served in romaine lettuce leaves!
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 cup hot sauce (see note)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt + pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 8 small corn or whole wheat tortillas or lettuce wraps
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing (optional)
Instructions
Oven Method
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees
- Chop the cauliflower into 1 inch florets
- In a large bowl, combine the hot sauce, olive oil, and paprika.
- Mix the cauliflower into the hot sauce mixture
- Spread the cauliflower into a single layer on baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or sprayed with non-stick spray.
- Roast for 10 minutes, then flip the cauliflower and continue roasting for another 5-10 minutes until the cauliflower has started to brown
- Add the cauliflower and cabbage into the tortillas and drizzle with ranch dressing.
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees
- Chop the cauliflower into 1 inch florets
- In a large bowl, combine the hot sauce, olive oil, and paprika.
- Mix the cauliflower into the hot sauce mixture
- Place in the air fryer for 10 minutes, then gently stir the cauliflower in the air fryer basket.
- Continue to cook for 5-10 minutes until browned.
- Add the cauliflower and cabbage into the tortillas and drizzle with ranch dressing.
Notes
Note: For a low carb option add the cauliflower into large romaine lettuce leaves to make lettuce wraps.
If your air fryer is small, you may need to do this in two batches.
What to Serve with Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
Need a good side dish to go with these tacos? Try this Mexican street corn salad recipe! There’s a reason why it’s one of my most popular recipes!
If you’re looking for a vegan option, try this black bean and corn salad!
Can’t get enough buffalo sauce? Try these buffalo chickpea tacos next!
What’s your favorite type of taco?
Love the air fryer option, I’ve been making everything in there lately and these are so easy in it!
My whole family loved these tacos! I sometimes get resistance when there is no meat n the table, not so here! My daughter immediately asked when I was making these again.