This Air Fryer Cauliflower is a super easy side dish that no one can resist. Ready in less than 15 minutes, learn how to make the best air fried cauliflower with crisp edges that’s flavorful and tender.
I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge fan of cauliflower. I love to eat cauliflower in any way possible, even raw, without cooking it or doing anything special. So today, I decided to try the cauliflower at the air fryer – the best decision ever.
- Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe
- How to Cut Cauliflower Florets
- Air Fryer Cauliflower Ingredients
- How To Make This Delicious Air Fryer Cauliflower
- How Long To Air Fry Cauliflower?
- Pro Tips and Variations
- Storing Ideas
- Serving Suggestions
- Equipment Needed To Make Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Cauliflower Recipes
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
I love making roasted vegetables to enjoy as a side dish or to top my salad bowl. Today, I thought, why not cook cauliflower in the air fryer? It was the best decision ever. The air fryer not only makes this faster air fryer cauliflower, but it also gives results identical to oven-roasted cauliflower.
Discovering the easy air fryer cauliflower recipe has been a game-changer in my kitchen. If you’re a fan of cauliflower recipes, you’re in for a treat. This air fryer cauliflower recipe creates perfectly crispy edges that are flavorful and tender. The true magic happens when roasting cauliflower using the air fryer. It provides all the benefits of oven roasting but in a fraction of the time!
The air fried cauliflower gets super crispy, just like my parmesan roasted cauliflower, and it’s made only with a few ingredients!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe
- Easy to make in just 15 minutes from start to finish
- Made with just five ingredients
- Enjoy the crispy flavor of cauliflower without truly frying it in oil.
- A healthy side dish for Air Fryer Whole Chicken, Naked Chicken Tenders, or Juicy Baked Leg Quarters.
How to Cut Cauliflower Florets
- Start by removing the leaves.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the whole head of cauliflower in half.
- You are now free to break your florets. First, break the cauliflower into large florets with your fingers. You can also chop them, but make sure any long stems are removed.
Air Fryer Cauliflower Ingredients
A great thing about this dish is that you will need only a few common ingredients to create it. Here is everything you will need:
- Cauliflower Head – Opt for a fresh, medium-sized cauliflower head. Ensure it’s free from blemishes and is firm to touch. Once cleaned, chop it into bite-sized florets for even cooking.
- Olive Oil – You can also use avocado or coconut oil. You don’t need much oil when cooking food in an air fryer.
- Smoked Paprika – This spice offers a robust smoky flavor, elevating the cauliflower’s taste profile.
- Garlic Powder – A staple in my cauliflower recipes, garlic powder is super aromatic and add a delicious flavor.
- Salt & Pepper – to taste. Feel free to season the cauliflower with other herbs and spices like rosemary, thyme, or even a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
How To Make This Delicious Air Fryer Cauliflower
Follow these simple steps, and you’ll master how to cook cauliflower in the air fryer.
- Preparation: Clean and cut your cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
- Season to Perfection: Drizzle olive oil over the florets, followed by your chosen seasonings. The secret lies in seasoning the cauliflower just right!
- Cooking Magic: The cooking cauliflower in the air fryer process is straightforward. Place them in a single layer and fry at 400F for about 15 minutes, flipping once to ensure even cooking.
How Long To Air Fry Cauliflower?
The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the cauliflower pieces and your air fryer’s specific model.
- Small florets: These typically take about 10 minutes to become golden brown and tender.
- Medium florets: These might take around 12-15 minutes.
- Large florets: They usually require 15-20 minutes.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Make sure to shake the basket or flip the florets halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
- Check for doneness by piercing a floret with a fork. It should enter easily without much resistance when the cauliflower is done.
- Ensure that you don’t overcrowd the basket to allow the cauliflower to cook evenly and get crispy on the edges.
- Try to cut the cauliflower florets almost the same size to fry evenly.
- I like to add some freshly grated parmesan cheese over the cauliflower 5 minutes before they are ready.
- Sprinkle some fresh parsley or chives before serving.
Storing Ideas
- Fridge: You can store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
- Freezer: Another great thing about this recipe is that you can freeze air fryer roasted cauliflower. Place the cauliflower florets on a cookie sheet and freeze for about 20 minutes after cooling. Then transfer to a freezer-safe plastic bag and store in the freezer for up to three months.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Air Fryer Cauliflower with your favorite dipping sauce, or you can pair it with many dishes like:
- Garlic Butter Pork Tenderloin
- Marry Me Chicken
- Roasted Turkey Breast
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Lemon Garlic Chicken
- Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
Equipment Needed To Make Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air fryer.
- A mixing bowl to season the cauliflower florets.
- A chopper and a sharp knife to cut the cauliflower florets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Frozen Cauliflower Florets?
Yes, frozen cauliflower can be used in this recipe, and you don’t have to thaw it first. But you need to know that fresh cauliflower, on the other hand, yields the best results.
Can I Make This Recipe In The Oven?
Sure, if you don’t have an air fryer, you can easily make oven-baked cauliflower. The only thing that changes is the cooking time. You will need to cook the cauliflower a few minutes extra if you use the oven.
Can I Cook In The Air Fryer Without Oil?
Yes, this is one of the great advantages of cooking with an air fryer; you can cook with less or without oil. Regarding this recipe, I prefer to add a little olive oil because it changes the cauliflower’s texture and helps it get crisper.
How Do I Know If My Cauliflower Is Ready?
To test for doneness, use a fork to check cauliflower is tender enough.
Can we eat the leaves of a cauliflower?
Sure, the cauliflower leaves are also great to eat. I like to add them to salads.
What Is An Air Fryer?
An Air Fryer it’s basically a countertop convection oven that’s compact and powerful. It pumps hot air around the food you’re cooking, giving it a crisp texture similar to fried food.
More Cauliflower Recipes
- Easy Cauliflower Hummus
- Garlic Butter Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
- Cheesy Cauliflower Steak
- Cauliflower Potato Salad
- Super Creamy Cauliflower Soup
For more easy Air Fryer recipes, make sure to check my Air Fryer Zucchini, Easy Air Fryer Asparagus, and Air Fryer Mushrooms.
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Description
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower head cut into florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 400F/204C. If your air fryer doesn’t have this function, run it empty for 5 minutes.
- Place the cauliflower florets in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat evenly.
- Place the cauliflower in a single layer into the air fryer basket. Cook for 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of your florets. Flip them halfway through baking time until golden brown.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.
This sounds good! You are making me want an air fryer!