Super simple and delicious crispy Air Fryer cauliflower! Thanks to the Air Fryer, you can easily and quickly make a tasty cauliflower side dish with just a handful of ingredients in no time.
Roasted cauliflower makes such a wonderful side. It goes so well with many dishes, and it’s great in salads. I love roasting cauliflower to add to my buddha bowls, salads, and even soups like this curried cauliflower soup (it’s amazing!). It can also make a great low-calorie snack!
So if you’re one of those people that keep buying heads of cauliflower, but never know what to do with it. Here’s a very easy and simple side dish recipe for you made in the Air Fryer. Don’t have an Air Fryer? No problem! Just use your oven!
The reason why I love this Air Fryer cauliflower recipe so much is that you get the “fried” crisp taste and texture of cauliflower without actually frying it in oil. It uses just a fraction of the oil that you’d normally use, and the recipe is actually quite healthy.
How to Cut Cauliflower
Remove the leaves, and wash the cauliflower head. Pat completely dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
Using a chef’s knife, cut off the cauliflower stalk so it can sit on your counter. Then slice it in half vertically, and remove the core while holding the knife at an angle. The florets will separate on their own, or use the tip of the knife to separate them.
Are Cauliflower Leaves and Stems Edible?
Yes! They’re completely edible. I always roast the leaves and serve them on the side. And I freeze the stems then use them in smoothies. You can also use them in soups, stir fry, or stews.
How to Season Cauliflower
After you’ve cut the cauliflower into florets. Place the florets in a bowl so it’s easier to season. Drizzle with olive oil, and use your favorite seasonings. I usually go for turmeric, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Sometimes I use my homemade seasonings that work SO WELL here, such as the fajita seasoning and the taco seasoning.
How to Air Fry Cauliflower
Toss the cauliflower florets so that they’re well coated in the seasoning and roast in the Air Fryer at 390°F (200°C) for around 15 minutes flipping every 3 minutes.
You have to keep an eye on the cauliflower as it’s being roasted in the Air Fryer as it can burn easily, it’s also different from one cauliflower to another depending on the freshness of the cauliflower and the density of the florets (so it might take less or more time). Check every 3 minutes and shake the basket so that the florets are roasted evenly.
When the air frying process is done, remove the crispy cauliflower from the air fryer basket and serve on a plate. It can be enjoyed either warm or cold with freshly squeezed lemon juice!
Oil-free Option
If you’re avoiding oil, you can leave it out. The texture will be a bit different, but it will still turn out delicious (the oil helps get crispy cauliflower). To avoid the cauliflower from sticking to the air fryer basket, check out these air fryer parchment paper liners. They’re cheap, and great for easy clean up too!
Can I Use Frozen Cauliflower Florets?
You can, but make sure that it’s completely thawed before you roast it. Frozen cauliflower will produce a lot of moisture which you don’t want as it will result in a “mushy” texture.
For more tasty sides in the Air Fryer, make sure to check out my air fryer mushrooms, air fryer corn on the cob, easy air fryer baked potato, air fryer asparagus, and air fryer kale chips!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 small cauliflower head cut into florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Drizzle the cauliflower florets with olive oil, then toss with turmeric, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper so that they're well coated in the seasoning.
- Roast in the Air Fryer at 390°F (200°C) for around 15 minutes flipping every 3 minutes.
- When the air frying process is done, remove from the air fryer basket and serve on a plate. It can be enjoyed either warm or cold.
Notes:
- You have to keep an eye on the cauliflower as it’s being roasted in the Air Fryer as it can burn easily, it’s also different from one cauliflower to another depending on the freshness of the cauliflower and the density of the florets (so it might take less or more time). Check every 3 minutes and shake the basket so that the florets are roasted evenly.
- Use your favorite seasonings. You can add curry powder, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, etc.
- You can use avocado, or corn oil instead of olive oil.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
Maureen says
I’m making this tonight, will send review later
suzi says
I followed the directions and they didn’t get crispy. what did I do wrong? thanks!!
Diana says
Oh no, sorry to hear they didn’t get crispy! There could be a few reasons. One possibility is overcrowding the air fryer basket, which can make it hard for the cauliflower to crisp up properly. Make sure the pieces have enough space for the hot air to circulate. Another factor might be that the cauliflower was wet after washing, it won’t crisp up well in the air fryer. Make sure to thoroughly dry the cauliflower pieces before you season them and put them in the air fryer. You could also try bumping up the temperature for the last few minutes to help them crisp up. I hope that helps for next time!