Make cauliflower in the air fryer in under 20 minutes with this simple recipe. It’s crispy, delicious and works as a side dish with just about any main entree.
We all know I love cauliflower and how versatile it is. Pair that with my latest obsession, my air fryer, and you’ve got a winning combination!
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 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.
To start, wash the cauliflower and then chop into 1-inch florets. Aim to make the florets the same size so that they cook evenly in the air fryer.
Add your chopped cauliflower to a bowl and add the remaining ingredients: olive oil, nutritional yeast, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Preheat your air fryer if required or simply add the cauliflower and set it to 390ºF. Cook for about 18-20 minutes, until the cauliflower is brown and crispy. Make sure to give the basket a good toss every 5 or so minutes so the cauliflower doesn’t overcook or burn.
Try my air fryer buffalo cauliflower for a delicious appetizer perfect for game day!
pro tip! Make sure to cut all of the cauliflower florets around the same size so they cook evenly in the air fryer!
Totally! I recommend using fresh for added crispiness, but you can definitely use frozen if that’s what you have on hand. No need to thaw the cauliflower before cooking.
That depends on your air fryer! Some recommend preheating and others do not require it. Check your owners’ manual to see what they recommend. If you don’t have a preheat setting, just set your air fryer to the required temperature about 3 minutes before adding your food.
It depends on the size of your basket. You’ll want to make sure you don’t overcrowd the basket or your food will not get crispy. You may need to cook in batches.
I do not recommend spraying aerosol spray directly on your air fryer! Like most non-stick items, it’s best to avoid sprays like Pam as it can mess with the finish. You can however use an oil mister or non aerosol sprays. I really like the Chosen Foods avocado oil spray.
This cauliflower is the perfect side dish (or snack!) Here are some ideas to serve alongside air fryer cauliflower:
Air fryer cauliflower isn’t the best for meal prep, as it will lose its crispiness. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t do it! I recommend storing any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days. I personally love leftover air fried veggies cold straight from the fridge, but you can also reheat them. To reheat just place the cauliflower back in the air fryer on 390°F for 3-4 minutes or until warm.
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.
Be sure to check out all of my cauliflower recipes as well as all of the air fryer recipes here on EBF!
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I had some sad, looking cauliflower and was not sure what to do with it… searched your web site and found this recipe. It is soooo good. I will definitely be making this again.
Yay! I’m happy to hear this recipe was a hit, Lisa! Thanks for leaving a review, I really appreciate it.