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Crispy, golden, and packed with flavor, this air fryer cauliflower is about to become your new favorite side dish or snack!
I’m so excited to share this air fryer cauliflower recipe with you! Ella and I make this all the time. It’s one of those recipes we can’t resist snacking on straight from the air fryer. The cauliflower roasts up with crispy edges and a tender inside, packed with flavor in every bite. I love how quick and easy it is, and the air fryer does all the work without having to heat up the oven.
This recipe is healthy, delicious, and so versatile that you can enjoy it as a side dish, snack, or toss it into bowls and salads. Once you try it, I know it will become a staple in your kitchen, too!
Air frying vegetables is such a game-changer for quick and easy cooking! Make sure to check out our air fryer frozen broccoli, air fryer corn on the cob, air fryer carrot chips, air fryer parmesan potatoes, and crispy air fryer green beans next!
Table of Contents
- Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions & Variations
- How To Cut Cauliflower Into Florets
- How To Make Air Fryer Cauliflower
- How Long To Cook Cauliflower In The Air Fryer
- Serving Suggestions
- Shawna’s Expert Tips
- Storage Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Air Fryer Recipes to Try!
- AIR FRYER CAULIFLOWER RECIPE Recipe
Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Crispy Texture: This air fryer cauliflower has a crispy texture without deep frying! You only need one teaspoon of oil for this recipe.
- Packed with Flavor: Grated Parmesan cheese adds a savory, cheesy flavor that makes this cauliflower incredibly delicious!
- Quick: Cooking cauliflower in the air fryer is quick! It’s faster than roasting it in the oven.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is super easy to make! Simply cut the cauliflower into florets, season it, air fry it, and enjoy! That’s all! If you love cauliflower, try our cilantro lime cauliflower rice, Spanish cauliflower rice, and cauliflower potato salad next!
“I’ve roasted cauliflower plenty of times, but smoked paprika was a revelation. It added a deep, smoky backbone that elevated the whole dish.”
– miyuki
Ingredients Needed
- Cauliflower: Cut one head of cauliflower into florets, or save time with pre-cut cauliflower florets.
- Olive Oil: Coat the cauliflower florets in a small amount of olive oil or avocado oil so the seasonings stick and it becomes crispy in the air fryer.
- Seasonings: The cauliflower is packed with flavor from the blend of garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan cheese adds a delicious cheesy flavor that takes this air fryer cauliflower to the next level!
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Parmesan Swap: For a dairy-free and vegan option, replace the Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a similar cheesy flavor, or simply leave it out.
- Frozen Cauliflower Option: You can use frozen cauliflower florets instead of fresh. There’s no need to thaw them. Just air fry at 400°F for about 15-17 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Cauliflower and Broccoli Combination: Love both veggies? You can air fry cauliflower and broccoli together! They cook at the same temperature and taste amazing with Parmesan. Or, make them separately and check out our air fryer frozen broccoli recipe for another quick and delicious side dish!
How To Cut Cauliflower Into Florets
First, remove the outer leaves and trim the stem. From there, cut the head of cauliflower into quarters, then use a knife to separate the larger sections. After that, use your hands or a knife to break them into bite-sized florets. Try to keep the florets the same size so they cook evenly in the air fryer.
How To Make Air Fryer Cauliflower
Step 1: Cut the cauliflower into florets.
Step 2: Add the cauliflower florets to a large bowl. Then, pour the olive oil into the bowl and mix to evenly coat the cauliflower.
Step 3: Add the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl.
Then, thoroughly mix to evenly coat the cauliflower.
Step 4: Place a parchment paper liner in your air fryer basket for easy cleanup. Then, pour the seasoned cauliflower mixture into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Step 5: Air fry the cauliflower florets, shaking halfway through.
Step 6: Let the air-fried cauliflower cool for a few minutes before serving.
How Long To Cook Cauliflower In The Air Fryer
Cook cauliflower florets in the air fryer at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through for even cooking. The exact time will depend on the size of the florets. Smaller cauliflower florets cook faster, while larger ones may need a couple of extra minutes. Cook the cauliflower until golden and crispy to your liking.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some of our favorite ways to serve this air fryer cauliflower!
- Side Dish With Proteins: Serve this crispy air fryer cauliflower alongside your favorite proteins. It’s delicious with our Crockpot Marry Me chicken, cream of mushroom chicken skillet, and air fryer pork chops.
- Dipping Sauce: Dip the cauliflower in cottage cheese ranch dip, healthy ranch dressing, sriracha mayo, garlic aioli, or your favorite dipping sauce for a delicious snack or appetizer.
- With Other Veggies: Serve this air fryer cauliflower with air fryer broccoli, air fryer carrots, or roasted Brussels sprouts for a delicious veggie medley.
Shawna’s Expert Tips
- Cook in a Single Layer: Don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket. If needed, cook the cauliflower in batches for the crispiest results.
- Shake the Basket: Make sure to shake the basket halfway through cooking to help the cauliflower cook evenly and become crispy on all sides.
- Even-Sized Florets: Cut the cauliflower into evenly sized florets so they cook at the same rate in the air fryer.
- Add a Parchment Liner: We recommend adding a parchment paper liner to your air fryer basket before adding the seasoned cauliflower florets. It makes cleanup so much easier!
Storage Instructions
Let the air-fried cauliflower cool completely before storing. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Keep Cauliflower From Drying Out In An Air Fryer?
Lightly coat the cauliflower florets with oil before air frying. This helps keep the cauliflower tender on the inside, while the outside becomes crispy as it cooks.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try!
- Air Fryer Red Potatoes
- Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
- Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas
- Air Fryer Radishes
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
AIR FRYER CAULIFLOWER RECIPE
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 teaspoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cut the cauliflower into florets. Remove the outer leaves and trim the stem. After that, slice the head into quarters, then use a knife or your hands to break it into bite-sized florets. Try to keep them about the same size so they cook evenly in the air fryer.
- Add the cauliflower florets to a large bowl. Then, pour the olive oil into the bowl and mix to evenly coat the cauliflower.
- Add the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl. Thoroughly mix to evenly coat the cauliflower in the seasoning mixture.
- Place a parchment paper liner in your air fryer basket for easy cleanup. Then, pour the seasoned cauliflower mixture into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry the cauliflower florets at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and tender.
- Let the air-fried cauliflower cool for a few minutes before serving, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Parmesan Swap: For a dairy-free and vegan option, replace the Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a similar cheesy flavor, or simply leave it out.
- Even-Sized Florets: Cut the cauliflower into evenly sized florets so they cook at the same rate in the air fryer.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’ve roasted cauliflower plenty of times, but smoked paprika was a revelation. It added a deep, smoky backbone that elevated the whole dish.
Hi Miyuki, I’m so glad you enjoyed the smoked paprika in this air fryer cauliflower recipe. It makes the cauliflower so tasty! Thanks so much for letting us know you enjoyed the recipe.