Crispy Air-Fried Cauliflower

Transform your approach to vegetables with this incredibly easy recipe for perfectly golden, irresistibly crispy Air Fryer Roasted Cauliflower. In just 15 minutes, you can create a healthy, flavorful, and vegan side dish that proves vegetables are anything but boring. This super quick method guarantees a tender interior and deliciously caramelized edges, making it a staple for busy weeknights or a delightful addition to any meal.

Say goodbye to bland, soggy cauliflower! If you’ve ever dismissed cauliflower as a “meh” vegetable, it’s likely because you haven’t experienced it cooked the right way. Steaming or boiling often strips cauliflower of its natural sweetness and leaves it with an undesirable texture. Roasting, however, unlocks its full potential, bringing out a rich, nutty flavor and a satisfying bite. When you use the air fryer, this transformation happens in record time, yielding beautifully crisp, golden edges that are simply irresistible.

This recipe calls for a simple yet effective seasoning blend of garlic powder and onion powder, which provides a fantastic base for the cauliflower’s natural taste. However, don’t hesitate to experiment with your favorite spices! Cauliflower is an incredibly versatile vegetable, acting as a perfect canvas for any flavor profile you wish to build upon. Whether you’re craving a hint of spice, a touch of herbs, or an exotic blend, air-fried cauliflower is ready to adapt.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE FOR AIR FRYER ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

• Effortless Side Dish: This recipe requires minimal prep and cooking time, making it an ideal choice for a quick and healthy side dish on even the busiest days.
• Lightning Fast: Thanks to the air fryer’s efficiency, you can have perfectly roasted cauliflower on your table in under 15 minutes, far quicker than traditional oven roasting.
• Unforgettable Flavor & Texture: Forget boring vegetables! The air fryer creates a magical combination of tender-crisp florets with delightful caramelization and golden-brown edges.
• Healthy & Wholesome: A fantastic way to boost your vegetable intake. It’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and requires very little oil, making it a guilt-free addition to any meal.
• Customizable: The simple seasoning is just a starting point. This recipe is incredibly adaptable to various spices and flavors, allowing you to tailor it to your palate or the main course.

INGREDIENTS FOR PERFECT AIR FRIED CAULIFLOWER

You only need a handful of basic ingredients to bring this delicious air-fried cauliflower to life. The full, detailed measurements can be found in the printable recipe card below, but here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need:

• Cauliflower: One medium head, cut into uniform florets. Look for a firm, white head with no dark spots.
• Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil helps the cauliflower crisp up and allows the seasonings to adhere beautifully.
• Garlic Powder: Adds a savory depth of flavor that complements cauliflower wonderfully.
• Onion Powder: Provides a subtle sweetness and aromatic quality, enhancing the overall taste.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste and bringing out all the natural flavors.

Tips for Choosing and Preparing Your Cauliflower

When selecting your cauliflower, choose a head that is creamy white, firm, and heavy for its size. Avoid any with brown spots or a soft texture, as these indicate it’s past its prime. To prepare, remove the outer leaves and core, then break or cut the head into bite-sized florets. Aim for florets of similar size to ensure even cooking in the air fryer. This uniformity is key to achieving that perfect tender-crisp texture in every bite.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS: HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

Making this delightful roasted cauliflower is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time:

1. Prepare the Cauliflower: Begin by placing your cleaned and cut cauliflower florets into a large mixing bowl. Ensure the bowl is large enough to allow for easy tossing.
2. Season Generously: Drizzle the olive oil over the cauliflower florets. Next, sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper evenly over the oiled florets.
3. Toss to Combine: Using your hands or a large spoon, toss the cauliflower thoroughly. Make sure every floret is well coated with the oil and spices. This even coating is crucial for consistent flavor and crispy results.

4. Arrange in Air Fryer: Carefully transfer the seasoned cauliflower into your air fryer basket. It is vital to arrange the florets in a single layer without overlapping. Overcrowding the basket will steam the cauliflower instead of roasting it, leading to a soggy texture rather than a crispy one. If necessary, cook in multiple batches.

5. Air Fry to Perfection: Cook the cauliflower in the air fryer at 180°C / 350°F for 7-10 minutes. During cooking, be sure to shake the basket every few minutes. This ensures that all sides of the florets get exposed to the circulating hot air, promoting even cooking and optimal crispiness. Continue cooking until the cauliflower is tender inside and deeply golden brown and caramelized around the edges.

PRO TIPS FOR THE BEST AIR FRYER ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

Achieving perfectly roasted cauliflower every time is easy with a few simple tricks. Keep these tips in mind to elevate your air frying game:

• Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: This is arguably the most crucial tip. For truly crispy cauliflower, the florets need ample space for the hot air to circulate around them. Always arrange them in a single layer. If you have a smaller air fryer or are making a larger batch, cook the cauliflower in multiple rounds to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.
• Shake It Up: Throughout the cooking process, make it a habit to shake the air fryer basket every few minutes. This helps redistribute the florets, exposing different sides to the heat and ensuring they cook evenly and brown beautifully on all surfaces. It also allows you to monitor their progress and prevent burning.
• Uniform Florets are Key: When cutting your cauliflower, try to make the florets roughly the same size. This consistency is essential for even cooking, preventing some pieces from being undercooked while others are overdone or burnt.
• Preheating Your Air Fryer: While not strictly necessary for all air fryer recipes, preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding the cauliflower can lead to even crisper results. It ensures the appliance is at the optimal temperature from the moment the cooking begins.
• Customize Your Spices: While garlic and onion powder are fantastic, feel free to get creative! Experiment with smoked paprika, cumin, curry powder, chili powder for a kick, or dried Italian herbs. A dash of nutritional yeast can also add a cheesy flavor for a vegan “cheesy” cauliflower.
• Don’t Have an Air Fryer? No Problem!: You can still enjoy delicious roasted cauliflower. Simply place the seasoned florets on a baking tray in a single layer. Roast in a preheated oven at 180°C / 350°F for 20-25 minutes, stirring once or twice, until deeply golden and tender.
• Serving Suggestions: While amazing on its own, try dipping your roasted cauliflower in sriracha aioli for an extra flavor boost – it’s incredibly good! It also pairs wonderfully with hummus, a creamy tahini dressing, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS & PAIRINGS

Air fryer roasted cauliflower is incredibly versatile and makes a fantastic addition to almost any meal. Serve it as a healthy side dish alongside grilled chicken, fish, steak, or plant-based proteins like lentils or chickpeas. It’s also excellent as a snack on its own, dipped in your favorite sauce. Consider adding it to salads, grain bowls, or even as a topping for tacos and wraps. The possibilities are endless!

STORAGE AND REHEATING

If you have any leftovers, store the roasted cauliflower in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, the best method is to pop it back into the air fryer for a few minutes at 160°C / 325°F until warmed through and re-crisped. You can also reheat it in the oven for a similar result. Avoid the microwave if you want to maintain its delightful crispiness.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are some common questions about making air fryer roasted cauliflower:

• Why is my cauliflower not crispy? The most common reasons are overcrowding the air fryer basket (which steams rather than roasts) or not using enough oil. Ensure florets are in a single layer and lightly coated in oil.
• Can I use frozen cauliflower? Yes, you can. However, frozen cauliflower has more moisture, so it’s best to thaw it completely and pat it very dry before seasoning and air frying. You might also need to extend the cooking time by a few minutes.
• How do I make it spicier? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, chili flakes, or a dash of hot sauce to the seasoning mix before cooking.
• Is this recipe suitable for meal prep? Absolutely! Roasted cauliflower holds up well for a few days in the fridge and reheats beautifully in the air fryer, making it a great component for healthy meal prep.

MORE DELICIOUS AIR FRYER RECIPES TO TRY

If you love how quick and easy the air fryer makes cooking, be sure to explore more of our favorite air fryer creations:

• Air Fryer Broccoli
• Bang Bang Cauliflower
• Air Fryer Apple Cinnamon Rolls
• Air Fryer Pizza Pinwheels
• Air Fryer Bagels
• OR see all Our Best Air Fryer Recipes

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📋 RECIPE

Air Fryer Roasted Cauliflower

Yield:
4 servings

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
10 minutes

Total Time:
15 minutes

There’s no excuse for boring, tasteless vegetables when you can make deliciously golden, crispy Roasted Cauliflower in the air fryer in just 15 minutes. This super easy, healthy, and vegan side dish doesn’t compromise on flavor and will quickly become a family favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 medium Cauliflower, thoroughly washed and cut into uniform florets
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
• Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Place the prepared cauliflower florets into a large bowl. Drizzle generously with olive oil, then sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss vigorously until all florets are evenly coated.
2. Transfer the seasoned cauliflower into your air fryer basket, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer without overlapping. Cook at 180°C / 350°F for 7-10 minutes, shaking the basket every 3-4 minutes, until the cauliflower is fork-tender, deeply golden, and crispy around the edges. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

• To guarantee perfectly even cooking and maximum crispiness, always ensure the cauliflower is in a single layer in your air fryer basket. If your air fryer is smaller or you are making a larger quantity, cook in batches.
• Regularly shaking the basket every few minutes during cooking is essential. This technique allows the hot air to circulate around all sides of the florets, promoting uniform cooking and that desirable deep golden-brown finish.
• No air fryer? No problem! You can achieve delicious roasted cauliflower in a conventional oven. Simply spread the seasoned florets on a baking tray in a single layer and roast at 180°C / 350°F for approximately 20-25 minutes, stirring once or twice, until tender and golden.
• For an extra burst of flavor, try serving your roasted cauliflower with a side of sriracha aioli – it adds a wonderful creamy and spicy kick!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 98Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 96mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 3g