Air Fryer Cauliflower

Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe

This recipe for air fryer cauliflower turns out delectably browned and lightly crispy every time! It’s the ultimate side dish that you can have ready and on the table in 30 minutes or less. It goes well with so many dishes, and it’s even great on its own.

If you have a head of cauliflower in your fridge (and even if you don’t), trust me: you need to try this recipe! Run, don’t walk. The air fryer is an easy method to make perfectly cooked, flavorful cauliflower. Because it doesn’t need a lot of oil, this method is lighter than pan-frying, and faster than oven-roasting.

You’ll Love Air Fried Cauliflower!

Here’s why you’ll never want to cook cauliflower any other way:

Quick. It takes less than 20 minutes to cook the cauliflower to crispy perfection in your air fryer.

Tender and flavorful. A simple seasoning blend turns your average cauliflower florets into total flavor bombs. Air fryer cauliflower tastes just like oven roasted cauliflower, with deliciously browned, caramelized edges. And you don’t even have to turn on the oven!

Versatile. Air-fried cauliflower makes a healthy side dish, appetizer, or add-on to tons of easy meals. This recipe is low in carbs and gluten-free! Any number of sauces or seasonings can be added to the cauliflower. Keep reading for ideas.

Ingredient Notes

• Cauliflower: You’ll need one head of cauliflower, or enough to make 4 cups of bite-sized florets once it’s cut up. See below for a quick guide on how to cut a cauliflower.
• Olive Oil: You don’t need much, but a bit of oil helps the cauliflower crisp up in the air fryer. I recommend a good-quality extra virgin olive oil. Avocado oil or vegetable oil will also work.
• Seasonings: Toss the cauliflower in a simple yet delicious blend of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Fresh chopped parsley also makes a nice garnish. There are many ways to season your florets; don’t forget to scroll for ideas to make this recipe your own!

How to Cut Cauliflower

Before you start, you’ll need to separate your head of cauliflower into florets:

Prep the cauliflower. Remove the leaves and stem. Give the cauliflower head a good rinse under cold water, and then pat it dry.

Remove the core. Place the cauliflower upright on a cutting board, then use a sharp knife to cut it vertically down the middle. With the knife at an angle, trim the core away from each half.

Chop off the florets. Finally, use the knife to cut off the florets, or separate them by hand.

Or, Slam Cauliflower on the Counter

If your cauliflower comes wrapped in plastic, another way to “cut” it is to simply slam the wrapped cauliflower against the counter, stem-side-down. It’s a fast and easy way to break off the florets.

This method only works if the cauliflower is wrapped, though, and it also can lead to uneven-sized florets. If you’re looking for uniform florets, stick with the method above!

How to Air Fry Cauliflower

Preparing this air fryer cauliflower couldn’t be easier. With your cauliflower florets ready to go, you’ll start with some seasoning.

Season. Combine olive oil with your seasonings in a bowl, then add the cauliflower and toss to coat.

Air fry. Spread the seasoned florets in a single layer inside the basket of your air fryer. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your florets and your air fryer. Cook at 350ºF for 8 minutes, give the basket a shake, and then cook the cauliflower florets for another 8 to 10 minutes until they’re fork tender and crispy at the edges.

Serve. Dish up your air fryer cauliflower right away with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. See further down for easy serving ideas.

Can I Use Frozen Cauliflower Florets?

Certainly! And you don’t even have to thaw frozen cauliflower before air frying. Simply prepare the frozen florets and air fry them as directed, adding an extra minute or two to the cooking time. The texture will be slightly different, as the water content in frozen cauliflower is higher.

Tips for Success

Don’t overcrowd the basket. For the crispiest cauliflower, make sure to space out the florets in an even layer inside the air fryer basket. This allows the hot air to circulate.

If you’d rather cook without oil, you can air fry your cauliflower without it. However, the texture won’t be quite the same, and the seasoning won’t coat as well. Consider lining the bottom of your air fryer basket with parchment paper to help with sticking.

Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer, the freshness of the cauliflower, and the size of the florets. Check the cauliflower after a few minutes, and don’t forget to shake the basket about halfway through to ensure it cooks evenly.

FAQs

Possible Recipe Variations

This recipe is flavorful as is, but there are so many ways that you can change up the seasoning for your air fryer cauliflower. Here are some of our recommendations:

• Parmesan: Sprinkle the finished cauliflower with freshly grated parmesan cheese (see my recipe for parmesan roasted cauliflower).
• Buffalo: Make easy air fryer buffalo cauliflower served with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
• Curry: Season your cauliflower with homemade curry powder.
• Spicy: For a spicy kick, add cayenne pepper or try my homemade chili seasoning.
• Lemon: Toss with olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, lemon zest, and garlic.
• Chili lime: Borrow the glaze from my chili lime chicken wings and make zesty vegetarian air fryer cauliflower wings.
• Whole roasted cauliflower: If you’re in the mood for something a little different, bake a whole cauliflower in your oven. It turns out so delicious!

Serving Suggestions

Wherever you need a quick and healthy side dish to round out a meal, air fryer cauliflower has you covered! Try these easy serving ideas:

Burgers: Air fryer cauliflower makes an easy low-carb side dish to air fryer hamburgers (or vegetarian black bean burgers).

Protein: Pair with other mains like roasted chicken drumsticks and air fryer pork chops. For a kid-friendly dinner, serve cauliflower alongside crispy chicken nuggets. 

Vegetarian: Serve crispy cauliflower next to stuffed portobello mushrooms or Southwestern stuffed peppers.

Sauces: Roasted cauliflower bites are delicious on their own as an appetizer or healthy snack! We serve ours with dipping sauces on the side. Try my homemade ranch dressing, creamy homemade tartar sauce, or fry sauce. We often drizzle sauce over air fryer cauliflower before serving it. Try chimichurri, tahini, homemade basil pesto or cilantro pesto.

Storing and Reheating

Fridge: Keep air fryer cauliflower stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s super easy to reheat cauliflower in the air fryer (my preferred method), or in the microwave.

Freezer: Your cooked cauliflower can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.

Leftover Love

Use leftover air fryer cauliflower in Buddha bowls and salads (may we recommend some homemade ranch?). We also love to turn this crispy air-fried cauliflower into vegetarian cauliflower tacos or low-carb cauliflower nachos!