With its crispy texture and its simple flavors, this simple Air Fryer Cauliflower recipe is a total delight. If you're on the hunt for a healthy vegetable side dish recipe that doesn't take too long, this recipe is a must try. If you love roasting cauliflower but are looking for a quicker, easier way to whip up this side dish, this is the one.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Easy: Of all the Air Fryer recipes I've tried and experimented with, this Air Fryer roasted cauliflower recipe has to be my favorite.
- Tasty: The simple flavors, the easy customization and the versatile end result is what I love the most about this recipe.
- Fast: I'm amazed at how air frying barely takes any time, and still, gets the perfect crispy air fryer cauliflower every single time!
🥘 Ingredients
To make the cauliflower in the Air Fryer, you'll need just a few basic ingredients.
- Cauliflower: The main ingredient, ripe and fresh cauliflower is key for optimal flavor and texture.
- Olive oil: Ensures the spices stick to the cauliflower and aids in achieving a crispy exterior.
- Paprika: Adds a warm, slightly sweet flavor to the cauliflower.
- Black Pepper: Provides a hint of heat and complexity to the taste.
- Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the cauliflower and spices.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Love a garlicky kick? Toss your cauliflower in garlic powder and finish with Parmesan for an Italian-style treat.
- Play around with your favorite seasoning blends—there’s no wrong way to spice it up! Smoked paprika + garlic or onion powder = crispy, flavorful perfection.
- Feeling bold? Go for an Indian-inspired twist with curry, chili, turmeric, and a squeeze of lime.
- Don’t forget the parsley! A little sprinkle before serving makes it fresh and fancy.
🔪 How To Make Air Fryer Cauliflower
Ready to make this Air Fryer cauliflower from scratch, here's what you'll need to do.
Step One: Snip the cauliflower heads down to bite size pieces using kitchen scissors or a knife. Place them in a large bowl.
Step Two: Drizzle the florets with the oil and cover with the spices. Toss the cauliflower around in the bowl to get a nice and even coating. Place seasoned cauliflower in the air fryer basket evenly. Cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Toss the cauliflower well and cook for another 8-10 minutes. Let them cool and serve.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
Ready to make this Air Fryer cauliflower recipe? Here are some more tips and tricks you might want to take note of.
- You can also try making this crispy Air Fryer cauliflower with some avocado oil instead of olive oil.
- If you want to make this roasted cauliflower more crispy, you can dip it in some egg wash, coat it with some bread crumbs and then season it with some red pepper flakes before you Air Fry it.
- Make sure you cook cauliflower in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket, and toss the basket halfway through the cooking process. Doing this will ensure that the roasted cauliflower is nice and crispy.
- You can also cook frozen cauliflower in the Air Fryer if you want to. Just remember to preheat Air Fryer, and arrange the frozen cauliflower in a single layer.
- If you have any leftovers, you can transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate them for 2-3 days. And then when you want to reheat them, I would recommend you air fry them instead of microwaving them.
💭 FAQs
Yes, you can use frozen cauliflower. There's no need to thaw it; simply season and cook directly from frozen. This method helps prevent the florets from becoming mushy.
Cauliflower pairs well with a variety of spices. Common choices include smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Feel free to experiment with your favorite spice blends to suit your taste preferences.
The cauliflower is done when it's tender and has reached your desired level of crispiness. You can test tenderness by piercing a floret with a fork; if it goes through easily, it's cooked. Cooking times may vary based on your air fryer model and the size of the florets, so it's a good idea to start checking around the 10-minute mark.
To add more flavor to your air fryer cauliflower, you can start by marinating the florets. Toss them in a mixture of your favorite seasonings and let them sit for at least 15 minutes before cooking to help the flavors soak in. You can also experiment with spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, or curry powder to add depth and complexity. For an extra burst of flavor, finish the cauliflower with a drizzle of sauce after cooking. Tahini, buffalo sauce, or a yogurt-based dressing can elevate the taste and give it a unique twist.
Allow the cooked cauliflower to cool down to room temperature before storing it. Store the cooked cauliflower to an airtight container. Cooked cauliflower can typically be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days.
🧂Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite side dishes to serve with Air Fryer Cauliflower:
- The best way to serve the roasted cauliflower is to team it up with a tasty Dipping Sauce of your choice and some lemon wedges on the side.
- I would also recommend drizzling some fresh lemon juice on the top to jazz up the flavors of the seasoned cauliflower.
- Serve with some tasty air fried Sweet Potato Fries or Hasselback Potatoes.
- Cauliflower also goes great with Roast Chicken or Creamy Pan Fried Salmon.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Easy Air Fryer Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 Cauliflower
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
Instructions
- Snip the cauliflower heads down to bite size pieces using kitchen scissors or a knife. Place them in a large bowl.
- Drizzle the florets with the oil and cover with the spices. Toss the cauliflower around in the bowl to get a nice and even coating.
- Place seasoned cauliflower in the air fryer basket evenly. Cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
- Toss the cauliflower well and cook for another 8-10 minutes. Let them cool and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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This Air Fryer Cauliflower is my go-to for a quick, crispy side dish! I love how the paprika adds a subtle warmth, and sometimes I sprinkle on a bit of garlic powder or a dash of Parmesan for extra flavor. Let me know how you season yours!