In this post: This air fryer cauliflower recipe is a low-carb side dish recipe cooked in your air fryer. It’s so delicious you’ll want to make it again and again. Get the recipe here.
Whip up this air fryer cauliflower as a yummy side dish, snack, or appetizer! Toss together fresh cauliflower, seasonings, and a touch of olive oil to make this delicious dish. Learn how to make it for yourself with step-by-step instructions below!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This air fryer cauliflower recipe:
- is quick and easy to make
- doesn’t have complicated instructions or hard-to-find ingredients
- is totally free from common food allergens
Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe Ingredients
- Cauliflower heads: (thawed) frozen cauliflower florets can also be used in this recipe (see FAQs for more information).
- Olive oil: you can use other vegetable oils like avocado oil, coconut oil, etc.
- Paprika: sweet, mildly spicy, with a hint of vegetable flavor.
- Black pepper: has a smokey, woody, and spicy taste.
- Sea salt: complements almost every food.
Seasoning Variations
- Mexican – mix in some of this Taco Seasoning!
- Classic – add some cumin, garlic powder, and a touch of thyme.
- Lemon pepper – try this delicious Lemon Pepper Seasoning.
- Greek – add this Greek Seasoning.
- Spicy – mix in some cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or chili powder.
How to Cut Cauliflower
- Rinse/wash and pat dry the cauliflower head.
- Cut off its stalk so it can sit on your countertop flat.
- Separate florets using the tip of the knife by cutting straight down through their base layers; they should fall apart easily without too much force being applied! You can also use kitchen scissors and snip the florets off the body.
If you want to remove the core in a fun way, wash the cauliflower and remove its leaves. Then, with the bottom of the cauliflower facing down, use two hands to slam it on the counter. This breaks the core and you can remove and toss it with little effort.
How to Make Crispy Roasted Cauliflower in Air Fryer
- Cut the heads of cauliflower down to bite size pieces using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife.
- Place them in a large bowl. Drizzle the florets with the oil and cover them with the spices.
- Toss the cauliflower around in the bowl to get a nice and even coating.
- Place the cauliflower in the air fryer basket evenly. Cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
- Shake the cauliflower well and cook for another 8-10 minutes.
- Let them cool and serve.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this air fryer cauliflower recipe with dishes like:
Air-Fried Cauliflower Tips
- Pre-cut cauliflower works just as well as fresh cauliflower, and it saves you cutting time!
- This recipe is just a starting point so feel free to add more seasoning to the cauliflower if you want to!
- This recipe works in almost any air fryer size. If your air fryer is smaller than 3 quarts, just cut the recipe in half or cook the cauliflower in two batches.
- It’s very important that you pause and toss the cauliflower halfway through the cooking process so the vegetables cook evenly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 350F for 3-5 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cauliflower florets?
You can use frozen cauliflower florets for this recipe, you just have to thaw them first. If cauliflower is air fried from frozen, it will turn out mushy and soggy. You may even want to pat the thawed cauliflower dry to remove the extra moisture before air frying.
Are cauliflower leaves and stems edible?
Yes, cauliflower leaves and stems are edible! You can serve them as a side or in soups, salads, smoothies, etc.
What temperature do you cook cauliflower in the air fryer?
You should use the temperature listed in whatever recipe you are following! In this recipe, I air fry my cauliflower at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes.
Should I pre-heat my air fryer?
No, your air fryer will get hot enough without preheating!
More Air Fryer Recipes You Might Enjoy
- Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
- Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
More Yummy Side Dish Recipes
- Garlic Roasted Mushrooms
- Crunchy Broccoli Salad
- Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot® Rice
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Air Fryer Cauliflower
An amazing side dish, appetizer, or snack.
Ingredients
- 2 Cauliflower Heads
- 2 Tbsps Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Cut the cauliflower heads down to bite size pieces using kitchen scissors or a knife.
- Place them in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the florets with the oil and cover them with the spices.
- Toss the cauliflower around in the bowl to get a nice and even coating.
- Place the cauliflower in an even layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
- Toss the cauliflower well and cook for another 8-10 minutes.
- Let them cool and serve.
Notes
- Pre-cut cauliflower works just as well as fresh cauliflower, and it saves you cutting time!
- This recipe is just a starting point so feel free to add more seasoning to the cauliflower if you want.
- This recipe works in any air fryer size. If it's smaller than 3 quarts, cook the cauliflower in two batches.
- It’s very important that you pause and toss the cauliflower halfway through the cooking process so the vegetables cook evenly.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 127Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 624mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 7gSugar: 6gProtein: 5g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily via Nutrifox.
