I’m kinda convinced the Air Fryer is a magical transformation vessel that takes regular vegetables and makes them spectacular. And this coming from someone who adores vegetables of all kinds and all preparations. Total veggie lover, through and through. Can’t get enough. But, I’m starting to realize that Air Fryer vegetables are a whole other realm of tasty when it comes to vegetables. Previously I’ve shared Air Fryer Brussels sprouts, which are super crispy and delectable. And also Air Fryer baked potatoes, which get a yummy, salty, crispy skin. Today, it’s Air Fryer cauliflower and this is going to be your new favorite way to eat this vegetable. Cauliflower has long been a favorite of mine. I’ve shared fun variations like cauliflower fried rice and healthy mashed cauliflower. But my go-to method is roasted cauliflower. I love the stuff. It’s nutty and so scrumptious. But it can be so much better - and easier. Air Fryer cauliflower gives you all the nutty, savory, delicious notes of a roasted version, but with even more crunchy bites. They are tender on the inside, seasoned through, and browned and crispy on the outsides. Seriously addictive combo. I’m not kidding, I can eat the entire batch of these florets (meaning, an entire head of cauliflower) when I make it in the Air Fryer. Can and have. They are just so scrumptious! (So are these Air Fryer broccoli if you are a broccoli lover like me.) And I love that it’s so fast to make them in the Air Fryer and hardly uses any oil. It’s a much more consistent and even cooking method than oven roasted, in my opinion. Nom nom nom. You can check out all of my Air Fryer recipes if you’re obsessed like I am with the magic of this appliance. And stay tuned because I have many more Air Fryer recipes planned for you! You can sign up for free e-newsletter to get all of my new recipes delivered straight to your inbox so you never miss a thing. I’ll even send you my free e-cookbook, Healthy Weeknight Dinners, as a thank you! OK, let’s get cooking. Now, I’ve got some notes and tips coming up below on how to make Air Fryer cauliflower. Just tryin’ to be helpful. If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll right on through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.
Notes on making Air Fryer cauliflower:
Cut your cauliflower into bite size pieces. Huge florets take longer to cook through, have less surface area to get crispy and are harder to eat. Bite size is the way to go. I spray the button of my Air Fryer basket with cooking spray to make sure these don’t stick. Shaking the tray about halfway through the cook time helps ensure even cooking and crisping. Regular paprika is what I use, but you could substitute smoked paprika if you’d like. Make sure to do an even layer of cauliflower (none stacked on top of each other) so they all get cooked and crispy around the edges.
If your Air Fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to work in batches. If so, just add all the cooked cauliflower at the end, even if they’re stacked, for an additional minute of cook time to warm them through and have them ready to serve. Also, because I know this is your main question…
How long do you cook cauliflower in an Air Fryer?
- Bite-size florets of cauliflower will cook in the Air Fryer in 12-15 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Shake the tray halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and crisping. And in case you are in the market for an Air Fryer, I highly recommend both of mine. Yes, I have two. Don’t judge. I got the first one as a gift for Christmas two years ago and it’s been fabulous, but it’s on the small size. (Would be great for singles or couples.) So this past year, I bought myself a bigger one for Christmas. I got this model (it’s usually on sale, which is nice) and I’ve loved it. It’s a better fit for families with children, or just if you’re cooking for bigger groups. Now, as mentioned, I will happily devour these crispy cauliflower bites as is. However, you could certainly add a dipping sauce or a sauce to drizzle over the cauliflower when serving. Here are a few ideas, though feel free to get creative.
Dipping sauces for Air Fryer cauliflower:
Ranch dressing Honey mustard BBQ sauce Tahini sauce Creamy pesto dip Green goddess dressing
And on days when I don’t eat the entire batch before we sit down to dinner, these make a great veggie side dish. You could also incorporate them into a main meal. (I’ve got a cauliflower tacos recipe coming up soon that you’re going to love!) Or, if you need to round out your meal, you can serve these with some roasted salmon or skillet or baked pork chops. Garlic butter pork chops with lemon and Ranch seasoned pork chops are both simple and delicious. Even just some grilled or baked chicken breasts would be good here. I really hope you try these, whether you’re a longtime cauliflower lover or trying to become one. These will make a convert out of you. Enjoy! XO, Kathryn Cauliflower: Cut your cauliflower into bite size pieces. Huge florets take longer to cook through, have less surface area to get crispy and are harder to eat. Bite size is the way to go. Paprika: Regular paprika is what I use, but you could substitute smoked paprika if you’d like. Air Fryer: If your Air Fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to work in batches to keep these in an even layer so they get nice and crispy. If so, just add all the cooked cauliflower at the end, even if they’re stacked, for an additional minute of cook time to warm them through and have them ready to serve. Dipping sauces: Ranch dressing, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, tahini sauce, creamy pesto dip, green goddess dressing, etc.
title: “Air Fryer Cauliflower” ShowToc: true date: “2024-11-05” author: “James Calicott”
3.42 2 Published Dec 28, 2021, Updated Nov 05, 2024 I just love how veggies get so crispy in the air fryer without a ton of oil and cauliflower is no exception. The end result is deliciously crisp cauliflower that cooks up in just 20 minutes. Like my roasted cauliflower, air fryer cauliflower is the perfect side dish for any dinner, but is also a great snack! Just pair it with your favorite dipping sauce and dive in.
Buffalo Style: For a spicy kick, toss your cooked cauliflower in buffalo sauce! If you’re into that extra heat, try out my air fryer buffalo cauliflower. Perfect for game day or a flavorful snack! Herby: Switch things up by tossing your cauliflower in some fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano after air frying for an herby touch. Lemon & Garlic: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a dash of extra garlic powder after cooking for a zesty and garlicky flavor boost.
Make BBQ chicken breasts or baked chicken tenders and a simple side salad like my garlicky kale salad. Top this roasted harvest chicken bowl with air fryer cauliflower for some extra veggies! Try this Kung Pao tofu and use air fryer cauliflower instead of roasting! Dip it in my homemade vegan ranch or even my healthy chick-fil-a sauce! Use this air fryer cauliflower in my cauliflower tacos for a vegan taco night.
If you’re interested in meal prepping this recipe, you could clean and chop the cauliflower 1-3 days in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to air fry! Another option for quick and easy prep is to buy pre-chopped cauliflower. It’s more expensive, but it’s already chopped and washed so it does save time.
