It’s no secret that your air fryer is great at cooking up wings to be perfectly crispy. Did you know it works the same way for their vegetable counterpart? That’s right! You can make the best air fryer frozen cauliflower wings in under 15 minutes including preheat time.
Cauliflower wings are a nice change of pace from the traditional chicken wing. Plus, they’re suitable for the vegetarians in your life as well. Save yourself the work (and mess) of dredging and frying by starting with a pre-breaded or battered frozen version.
You just throw the frozen cauliflower wings in your air fryer basket without any need to defrost. They cook up crispy, golden brown, and perfectly delicious – in about ⅓ of the time a chicken wing takes I might add!
Just like a regular wing, they go with nearly any wing sauce flavor, which is perfect for pleasing a crowd.
What to Get: Shopping List
13.5-ounce bag frozen cauliflower wings (such as Bird’s Eye)
Wing sauce, any flavor (optional)
2-3 Tbsp Dipping sauce (optional)
Ingredient Tips and Notes
Most frozen cauliflower wings come with a packet of sauce included. You don’t need any additional sauce in this case, unless you want to have multiple flavor options
There are other brands besides Bird’s Eye that make frozen cauliflower wings. They all cook up about the same (give or take a minute or two for size differences) so feel free to use your favorite
If you’d like a dipping sauce, like a traditional chicken wing, I recommend blue cheese or ranch dressing!
How to Cook Air Fryer Frozen Cauliflower Wings
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Add the frozen cauliflower wings to the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook in batches if needed to prevent overcrowding
Cook on air fry setting for 10-15 minutes at 400°F, pausing to shake halfway through, until wings are brown and crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F
Toss hot, crispy wings in a bowl with the sauce
Alternatively, serve the cauliflower bites with dipping sauce on the side
You air fry frozen cauliflower wings for 10-12 minutes on average.
However, depending on the size of the cauliflower florets and your air fryer, it may take as little as 8 or as much as 15 minutes.
Cauliflower wings are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the exterior and the interior has reached 165°F.
Can You Put Birds Eye Cauliflower Wings in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can put Birds Eye cauliflower wings in the air fryer.
You do not need to defrost in advance; the wings can go in in a frozen state. They’ll not only thaw out, but cook up nice and crisp outside.
Why Are My Cauliflower Wings Soggy?
The most common reason that cauliflower wings are soggy is due to buildup of moisture from not shaking the air fryer basket during cooking.
You should shake the basket to rotate the wings about every 5 minutes of cooking time. This will help them evenly crisp and reduce wet pockets caused by the defrosting process.
The other most common reason for soggy cauliflower wings is too much sauce, or the sauce sitting on for too long. The moisture will cause the crispy crust to turn soggy. Use a minimal amount of sauce, or offer it on the side for dipping to prevent this.
Should Cauliflower Wings Be Defrosted For the Air Fryer?
No, there is no need to defrost cauliflower wings for the air fryer.
They’ll cook perfectly from frozen state, and still be crispy, hot, and delicious. Thus, there is no reason to defrost them.
Recipe Pro Tips
There is no need to add any oil during the cooking process. Frozen cauliflower wings already have it in the breading
If you are using included sauce, make sure to thaw the packet in a glass of hot water while the wings are cooking
These frozen Birds Eye cauliflower wings took about 11 minutes in my Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer to be perfect. Other brands and air fryers may vary slightly
Your air fryer is the best way to cook up some frozen cauliflower wings for a crispy, saucy, and delicious appetizer or side. They’re the perfect snack for game day in place of traditional wings.
If you’re not in the mood for wings, make sure to check out our easy recipe for cheesy air fryer frozen cauliflower too!
Air fryer frozen cauliflower wings cook up crispy and delicious in 15 minutes or less. Toss or dip them in your favorite wing sauce for an easy appetizer or snack.
13.5ounceBag frozen cauliflower wings(such as Bird’s Eye)
3tbspWing sauce, any flavoroptional
3 tbspDipping sauce (such as ranch)optional
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Add the frozen cauliflower wings to the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook in batches if needed to prevent overcrowding
13.5 ounce Bag frozen cauliflower wings
Cook on air fry setting for 10-15 minutes at 400°F, pausing to shake halfway through, until wings are brown and crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F
Toss hot, crispy wings in a bowl with the included sauce (or your own), or serve on the side for dipping
3 tbsp Wing sauce, any flavor, 3 tbsp Dipping sauce (such as ranch)
Notes
Frozen cauliflower wings already have oil in the breading, so no need to add more
If you are using an included sauce packet, thaw it in a glass of hot water while the wings are cooking
These frozen Birds Eye cauliflower wings took about 11 minutes in my Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer to be perfect. Other brands and air fryers may vary slightly
If you want a dipping sauce like a traditional wing, I recommend the classic blue cheese or ranch options!
I have sweet chili flavor today, but the same method works for Birds Eye buffalo, barbecue, and garlic parmesan frozen cauliflower wings
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, sauce flavors, dipping sauce, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
