Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (2024)

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.

Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (1)

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.

Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (2)

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.

Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (3)

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.

Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (4)

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!

Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (5)

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!

Recipe

Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (6)

4.99 from 162 votes(Click stars to rate!)

Air Fryer Cauliflower

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

Author: Diana

Print Rate Recipe

Super simple and delicious crispy Air Fryer cauliflower! Thanks to the Air Fryer, you can easily and quickly make tasty cauliflower with just a handful of ingredients in no time.

4 servings

Super simple and delicious crispy Air Fryer cauliflower! Thanks to the Air Fryer, you can easily and quickly make tasty cauliflower with just a handful of ingredients in no time.

Ingredients

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

Calories: 49kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 311mg, Potassium: 198mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 123IU, Vitamin C: 32mg, Calcium: 15mg, Iron: 1mg

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

Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How to make crispy in air fryer? ›

However, a small amount of oil is usually necessary to achieve a crispy texture. A drizzle or a quick oil spray is all you need for restaurant-quality fries and golden brown fried chicken, while other foods don't need any oil, like pizza or leftovers you might reheat.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

How to cook cauliflower in the pampered chef air fryer? ›

Place the coated florets on the cooking trays, then place the trays on the top and middle racks of the air fryer. Turn the wheel to select the ROAST setting; press the wheel to select. Turn the wheel to adjust the time to 18 minutes; press the wheel to start.

Why is my roasted cauliflower tough? ›

Have you roasted cauliflower before and it came out tough or mushy? A common problem is either roasting it at too low a temperature or stopping once the cauliflower is tender—both mean that the florets do not caramelize.

Why are my vegetables not crispy from the air fryer? ›

Overcrowding the basket will cause the vegetables to steam, not brown. Only add as many as will fit in a single layer. Then, air fry the vegetables at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender and browned. Toss halfway through the cooking time so that they brown evenly.

Why doesn't my air fryer make things crispy? ›

Dry the outside of the food properly before you add oil. Do not use too much oil, as this will make the food less crispy and more fattening. Meat or poultry can be lightly brushed with oil or marinated to get the crispiest results.

Why is my fried cauliflower mushy? ›

The secret to giving cauliflower the perfect texture when battering and frying, is to not parboil it. When you fry cauliflower with batter, it also cooks the cauliflower. So if you parboil beforehand, you will end up with mushy cauliflower.

Why is my cauliflower bake watery? ›

Most recipes recommend blanching the cauliflower in boiling water for a few minutes for this initial stage, but it's important to pay close attention to this step. The watery problem happens when the cauliflower is either overcooked or not drained well enough after a quick blanching.

Why is my cauliflower not getting crispy? ›

Like all veggies, cauliflower needs some breathing room on the pan. Otherwise, the florets will produce so much steam that they'll never turn crisp on the edges. It's better to use two pans, arranged on separate racks near the middle of the oven, than to cram too much onto one pan.

What does baking soda do to cauliflower? ›

Baking soda is often used as a natural cleaning agent, and it can be used to brighten up your veggies too. Sprinkle a little in the water before boiling to prevent cauliflower from yellowing and make corn look more vibrant.

Why does cooked cauliflower hurt my stomach? ›

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower contain high levels of insoluble fiber, which can quickly lead to digestive upset, especially when consumed raw. Symptoms can include bloating, gas and cramping.

How to crisp up food in an air fryer? ›

The general tip for reheating leftovers in the air fryer is:
  1. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F/204°C.
  2. Place the food in the air fryer basket.
  3. Cook at 350°F/175°C for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the food is crispy to your liking and comes to temperature.

How do you make crispy batter in an air fryer? ›

Corn Starch– helps deepen the color of the batter as it cooks and creates a crispy texture. Baking Powder– Helps create an airy batter with loads of crispy nooks and crannies. Oil Spray – you need oil to fry chicken, even in an air fryer.

Do air fryers make things crunchy? ›

An air fryer is a popular kitchen appliance used to make fried foods such as meat, pastries, and potato chips. It works by circulating hot air around the food to produce a crunchy, crispy exterior. This also results in a chemical reaction known as the Maillard reaction.

Why don t my fries get crispy in air fryer? ›

If the air is not hot enough, or if you overcrowd the basket, your food will not come out crispy. Preheat the air fryer for at least 3 minutes, and work in batches if you need to. How do you keep air fried french fries warm and crispy? Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet in a 250°F oven until ready to eat.

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