My air fryer cauliflower recipe yields crispy, golden, and tender florets in just 12 minutes. It’s perfect for side dishes, salad toppers, bowls, and more.
Cauliflower is my favorite vegetable, so I cook it weekly. I used to rely on my curry roasted cauliflower, but was inspired to see how it would fare in the air fryer. Well, spoiler alert: you get the same crispy, roasted texture, with those golden edges and tender centers in a fraction of the time.
It took a little tweaking, though, to get the right balance of oil (yes, even in an air fryer, you need a little fat) and cauliflower, but I think I nailed it. I usually stick with simple seasonings, but it’s easy to change up depending on the meal- my partner loves it with some grated Parmesan, whereas my mom and sister love it with sweet spices. It’s one of those sides that’s almost too easy for how good it tastes.
tips before starting
Cook the cauliflower in a single layer so it cooks evenly and completely. This is something I harp on about in my forthcoming air fryer cookbook in every single recipe: the air fryer can only work its magic when it can circulate around each vegetable (or whatever you are air frying). If needed, air fry in batches.
Pat the cauliflower dry. Before seasoning it, please. This ensures the cauliflower turns out crispy. Even a tiny bit of moisture can steam it instead of air frying it.
Shake the air fryer several times throughout for even cooking on all sides. My rule of thumb for vegetables is at least two times.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make air-fried cauliflower. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
- Cauliflower. Pick a clean, firm cauliflower head and cut it into bite-sized florets. The easiest way is to quarter and separate florets from the stem. You can also use two smaller heads of cauliflower.
- Olive oil. I recommend using some fat to keep the edges crispy without drying them out. Olive oil is my go-to, but other cooking oils, like avocado or vegetable oil, work too.
- Spices. Cumin is a must because it pairs so well with cauliflower. I round it out with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
How to air fry cauliflower
Step 1- Prep. Wash, clean, and pat dry the cauliflower florets. Toss them in a large bowl with the seasonings and oil.
Step 2- Air fry. Lay the seasoned florets in a single layer in the cooking basket and air-fry them for 12 minutes.
Step 3- Garnish and serve. Remove the air-fried cauliflower from the basket once you get the crispy brown edges.
Frequently asked questions
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Ingredients
Instructions
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Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F. Grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
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Wash and clean the cauliflower and pat dry. Add it to a mixing bowl, then toss through the olive oil, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and cumin.
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Add a single layer of cauliflower to the air fryer basket. Air fry for 12 minutes, shaking the basket several times throughout.
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Remove the cauliflower from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Notes
TO FREEZE. Freeze the air-fried cauliflower florets in a freezer-safe container/bag for up to 2-3 months.
TO REHEAT. The best way to reheat the cauliflower would be to use an air-fryer to retain the texture.
