This crispy Air Fryer cauliflower side dish is not only simple but incredibly flavorful! You can prepare this healthy cauliflower side dish in your Air Fryer in as little as 15 minutes from start to finish. It’s a perfect accompaniment to any meal, providing a nutritious and tasty option that’s sure to be a hit at your dining table.
I get days when I just want to Air Fry EVERYTHING! Air frying is just so easy, and healthy as you don’t need much oil, and I always get great results. I’ve been making these Air Fryer chicken wings non-stop for the past few weeks, and the Air fryer French fries never disappoint!
Making simple sides in the Air Fryer is a breeze, this Air Fryer broccoli side is brilliant, Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts is another delicious side dish. And I’ve been also loving this crispy Air Fryer cauliflower because it’s so simple, much better than deep-fried cauliflower, and turns out so crispy!
So let me show you how to make the best ever crispy cauliflower side dish, and it is much quicker than roasting in the oven.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Cauliflower
Here’s what you’ll need to make crispy cauliflower in the Air Fryer:
- Cauliflower: choose a firm fresh head of cauliflower that feels heavy, remove the leaves and stem, and separate or cut into florets.
- Olive oil: I use high-quality olive oil that has a high smoke point. No need to use extra virgin olive oil when roasting cauliflower
- Salt and pepper: To season the cauliflower.
- Optional seasonings: You can literally air fry the cauliflower with just oil, salt, and pepper. I like to add seasonings for extra flavor such as smoked paprika, turmeric (for color but be careful as it can stain your hands), garlic powder, etc. You can even do seasoning blends such as fajita seasoning or taco seasoning if you like (they’re delicious!).
How to Air Fry Cauliflower
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 390°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with the olive oil and seasonings until they’re well coated.
- Transfer the cauliflower florets to the Air Fryer basket, and air fry for 15 minutes shaking the basket every 3 minutes or until the cauliflower is crispy (keep an eye on the cauliflower as it can get burnt easily, and it might take longer or less time depending on the freshness and the density of the cauliflower florets).
- Serve cold or warm with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Toppings Ideas
Although this side dish is delicious when it’s served on its own, especially if it’s well seasoned. You can also top the cauliflower with something simple like a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or toasted nuts, or tahini lemon drizzle.
You can also toss the cauliflower with fresh lettuce leaves, and a simple dressing to make a quick salad.
Recipe Tips
- I have the Cosori Air Fryer that I love and always recommend. It has a large air fryer basket and can fit a lot, I also love the fact that the basket is square as it can fit much more.
- It’s ok to crowd the air fryer a little bit as the florets will shrink and crisp up as they’re being roasted, but do not overcrowd it too much as the cauliflower will start steaming rather than crisp up.
- Keep an eye on the cauliflower florets as they’re being roasted, they can burn easily and the cooking time depends on how small or big you cut the florets.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use frozen cauliflower, although it may require a slight adjustment in the cooking time. When using frozen cauliflower, you should extend the cooking time by approximately 3-5 minutes to make sure it cooks through and gets crispy. There’s no need to thaw the cauliflower beforehand; you can air fry it straight from the freezer.
The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. While the basic version uses salt, pepper, and olive oil, you’re not limited to these ingredients. You can experiment with a variety of herbs and spices, such as rosemary, thyme, or even some chili flakes for a spicy kick. For those who enjoy cheesy flavors, nutritional yeast or grated Parmesan can also be sprinkled on top before or after cooking.
Storing your leftover air fryer cauliflower is straightforward. Allow the cooked cauliflower to cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to four days. When you’re ready to eat it again, you can reheat it in the air fryer for about 3-5 minutes to regain its crispiness.
Yes, the air fryer is versatile and can cook a range of vegetables using a similar approach. From broccoli and Brussels sprouts to zucchini and sweet potatoes, the options are plentiful. The key thing to remember is that cooking times may vary depending on the density and water content of the vegetable you choose.
This air fryer cauliflower recipe gets you a crispy side dish in just 15 minutes, and it’s a healthier option since you’re using minimal oil. Give it a try, and if you like it, please rate, review, and pin it for later.
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower head cut into florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder optional
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric optional
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 390°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with the olive oil, salt and pepper, and any seasonings if using until they're well coated.
- Transfer the cauliflower florets to the Air Fryer basket, and air fry for 15 minutes shaking the basket every 3 minutes or until the cauliflower is crispy (keep an eye on the cauliflower as it can get burnt easily, and it might take longer or less time depending on the freshness and the density of the cauliflower florets).
- Serve cold or warm with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Notes
- You can literally air fry the cauliflower with just oil, salt, and pepper. I like to add seasonings for extra flavor such as paprika, turmeric (for color), garlic powder, etc. You can even do seasoning blends such as fajita seasoning or taco seasoning if you like.
Nutrition
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.
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Comments & Reviews
Barbara kidd says
looking good
Anil puri Anil Puri says
Thanks mam
Jules says
Got raves from my family on this cauliflower recipe! Flavor was great and texture was just right. Served straight out of the air fryer and did not need any extra condiments or dipping sauces. Will definitely make this again (and again!)
Jill Chambers says
Thankyou just made airfryer cauliflower with blend of spices which worked well with my bisto curry sauce.We had with chicken pie and crispy wedges.With more curry sauce.My partner loved it too.
Monica says
Same instructions for an oven air fryer? Thanks!
Diana says
Yes! 🙂
Cindy says
These sound great! Send me more air fryer recipes!
Charles McNeil says
Can’t wait to try this.please send more recipes for the air fryer .
Rachel says
Do you have a dipping sauce?
Diana says
Try it with tzatziki sauce, so good! https://nourishplate.com/vegan-tzatziki/