ByDonna Elick
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Air Fryer Cauliflower is about to be one of your favorite ways to prepare this great side dish! Air fryer cauliflower is the perfect combination of crispy and flavorful, making it my new favorite way to prepare air fryer vegetables.
Air fryer recipes will not only save you time but also help you create a delicious alternative to traditional roasted cauliflower.
With just a few simple ingredients and a maximum of 15 minutes, your cauliflower will come out perfectly charred and golden, making it impossible to resist.
That truly makes this the perfect side dish and cauliflower might just be one of your new favorite vegetables!
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Cauliflower
You will absolutely adore making your cauliflower in an air fryer, and here’s why:
- Incredibly simple: Air frying cauliflower couldn’t be more straightforward.
The best way is to toss everything together, place it in your air fryer, and with a quick cooking time, your golden brown cauliflower should be ready to enjoy.
- Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside: Isn’t that the perfect combination?
With an air fryer, your cauliflower florets will have the perfect crispiness on the outside while retaining a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness on the inside.
- Healthy and delicious: Did you know that cooking in an air fryer requires significantly less oil than traditional frying methods?
This means you’ll get all the mouthwatering taste of fried cauliflower without the extra calories and fat.
Plus, cauliflower is packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants – making it a smart choice for your overall health.
- Versatile seasonings: The possibilities for seasoning your air fried cauliflower are endless!
You can stick to classic combinations like olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, or get adventurous with your favorite seasoning blend to create a more bold flavor.
I love New Mexico Chili Powder myself!
So go ahead and give your taste buds a treat with air fryer cauliflower. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to whip up this flavorful, easy side dish.
And who knows, next thing you might find yourself making air fryer broccoli or air fryer brussels sprouts!
Ingredients
You’re going to love making this tasty air fryer cauliflower dish! Here are the key ingredients you’ll need to perfectly execute this delicious, crispy, healthy recipe:
- cauliflower florets: This is the star of the dish, providing all the amazing health benefits and satisfying texture.
- extra virgin olive oil: This helps the cauliflower to crisp up in the air fryer and adds a touch of rich flavor.
- kosher salt: Balances out the flavors, while also enhancing the natural taste of the cauliflower.
- fresh ground black pepper: Just the right amount to give your dish a subtle kick and complexity.
- Optional: fresh chopped flat leaf parsley for serving: Sprinkle on top of your finished air fryer cauliflower for a vibrant, flavorful garnish that’ll impress your guests.
You can even try grated parmesan cheese for extra flavor!
Equipment Needed
Ready to make delicious air-fried cauliflower? Let’s gather the essential equipment to get you started!
Having these items handy will make the process a breeze and ensure you have crispy, tasty cauliflower that you’ll love.
- Air Fryer: First and foremost, you’ll need an air fryer. Some popular models include those from Instant Pot, Ninja, and Philips.
Don’t worry about the size too much; as long as it’s at least 5 1/2 quarts, you’ll have enough space for your cauliflower.
- Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a large bowl. You’ll use it to coat the cauliflower with seasoning and oil before air frying.
- Cutting board and knife: Chop your cauliflower into bite-sized pieces on a sturdy cutting board using a sharp kitchen knife.
- Measuring Spoons: To measure out the perfect amount of olive oil, spices, and seasoning, you’ll need a set of measuring spoons.
- Tongs or spatula: Use tongs or a spatula to easily toss the cauliflower in the air fryer basket, ensuring even cooking.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Cauliflower
Dipping Sauce:A flavorful dip can instantly elevate your air fryer cauliflower experience. Try serving it with buffalo sauce or a cool, creamy ranch dressing.
Proteins:If you’re looking for a great main dish, pair your air fryer cauliflower with your favorite protein.
It complements grilled chicken, salmon, pork chops, or steak wonderfully making for a wholesome and satisfying meal.
Tacos and Wraps:Yes, you read that right! Air-fried cauliflower can be a delicious filling for tacos or wraps.
Simply stuff your tortilla or wrap with the cauliflower, add some fresh veggies, and drizzle your preferred sauce for a mouthwatering meal.
Storage Instructions
First, let the cauliflower cool down completely. You don’t want any steam to create unwanted moisture in the container.
Once it’s cooled, place the leftovers in an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat toss the cauliflower back into the air fryer at 300°F for about 3-4 minutes.
This will ensure that your crispy air fryer cauliflower recipe leftovers warm up and nice and crispy!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Get the perfect cauliflower texturewith these tips! Remember to cut your cauliflower into even-sized florets.
This ensures that they cook uniformly in the air fryer and develop that wonderful crispy exterior while staying tender on the inside.
Make sure your cauliflower is drybefore tossing it in oil and seasonings. Any excess moisture will prevent the florets from crisping up in the air fryer.
Simply pat the florets dry with a paper towel or clean dishcloth after rinsing them.
When you’re ready to cook, ensure that your florets are arranged in an even layer in the air fryer basket.
This allows optimum air circulation and results in perfectly cooked cauliflower.
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Here are two essential steps to remember when cooking:
- Preheat your air fryerbefore adding the cauliflower. A preheated air fryer ensures even cooking and helps achieve those desired crispy edges.
- Shake the baskethalfway through cooking. This will redistribute the florets and promote even browning. Be sure to keep them in a single layer.
You’ll want to cook your florets for a total of 12 to 18 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces and your preferred level of crispiness.
Lastly,experiment with cooking times and temperatures. Air fryers can vary in their power and heat settings, so it’s important to find the sweet spot for your specific model.
Start by following the manufacturer’s recommendation, but don’t be afraid to adjust the time and temperature if needed.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Cauliflower + Video
Donna Elick
Air fryer cauliflower is the perfect healthy snack or side dish. Keep it simple with salt and pepper or get creative with a variety of spices!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 12 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Method Air Fryer
Servings 4
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups cauliflower florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- Optional: fresh chopped flat leaf parsley for serving
Instructions
Preheat air fryer to 300°F for 3 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the cauliflower florets into a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
Tossing the cauliflower to coat evenly. You can use spoons or clean hands.
Add the cauliflower into the preheated air fryer.
Cook for 10 minutes. Halfway through, slide the drawer out and shake up cauliflower. Then slide the drawer back in.
Serve and enjoy!
Video
Donna’s Notes
You can also season with garlic powder, garlic salt, red pepper flakes, etc.
The recipe can be doubled or tripled based on the size of your air fryer. You don’t want to overcrowd the air fryer or the air can not circulate around the cauliflower.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 70cal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 300mg | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Originally published August 2020, updated and republished December 2023
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate linkyour price will remain the sameand The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for your support; it allows us to keep creating new recipes.
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