Air Fried Cauliflower
Crispy with no breading necessary!
Air fried cauliflower is tossed in seasoning and then fried to crispy golden perfection in the air fryer. Make these tasty air fried cauliflower bites for a nutritious veggie side dish, easy appetizer, or healthy snack!
Want to try another cauliflower recipe? Check out my Chocolate Brownie Cauliflower Oats next!
Air Fried Cauliflower
Air fryer cauliflower is one of the easiest sides you can make. With just a handful of ingredients and an air fryer, you are just minutes away from flavorful, tender cauliflower florets. Of course, these are shareable but you’ll be tempted to eat the whole batch!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fried Cauliflower Recipe
Quick & Easy to Prepare. With just a handful of ingredients, these are ready in less than 15 minutes. That is half the time it takes to roast cauliflower in the oven!
Kid-Friendly. Bite-sized and packed with flavor, children love the crunch!
Super Versatile. You can season the cauliflower florets however you’d like.
Healthy Dish. Satisfy your craving for something fried and crunchy, with less oil and calories. It’s also naturally low-carb and gluten-free.
Benefits of Cauliflower
Cauliflower has insoluble fiber, which means it promotes the movement of material through the digestive system and increases stool.
Cauliflower has vitamin B2, which is essential for energy production, brain function and skin.
Cauliflower contains Biotin, which is great for promoting healthy skin, hair and nerves.
Cauliflower contains vitamin C, which is great for strengthening the immune system
Ingredients
Head of cauliflower: Cut into florets. If you use frozen cauliflower, completely thaw and dry it so the texture isn’t mushy.
Olive oil: Helps the cauliflower crisp up in the air fryer. You can use avocado oil or grapeseed oil as alternatives.
Lemon juice: This adds a bright citrus flavor.
Seasoning: I keep it simple with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
How to Make Air Fryer Cauliflower
Chop
Chop the cauliflower florets and add them to a big bowl.
Season
Add the olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Mix well until all cauliflower is coated well.
Air Fry
Place them into your air fryer. Air fry at 400F for 12 minutes, making sure to shake halfway through.
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, I love ranch!
Variations
Buffalo: Want spicy air fried cauliflower? Coat cauliflower in your favorite buffalo sauce and air fry.
Cheesy: Coat cauliflower with panko and parmesan cheese, for a cheesy crunch.
Chili Lime: Instead of lime juice, use lime juice and sprinkle the florets with chili powder.
Tips
In order to save time, you can buy pre-chopped cauliflower florets.
If cutting the cauliflower yourself, slice them into even pieces so they cook at the same rate. (Smaller florets cook faster.)
There’s no need to preheat the air fryer.
Every air fryer is different, so make sure to check it at 5 minutes, then again at 10 minutes to ensure it doesn’t burn.
Feel free to adjust the cooking time a little bit if needed.
What to Serve with Air Fried Cauliflower
This is the best air fried cauliflower recipe and when you pair it with other delicious foods, it’s even better!
I love pairing this with Air Fried Salmon for a well-balanced meal.
Use it as a meat alternative in tacos, salads, soups, and wraps.
Storage
Store leftover air fried cauliflower in n airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, place it in the air fryer because the microwave will make it too soggy.
FAQ
How long does it take to air fry cauliflower?
Air fry cauliflower for approximately 12 minutes. However, cooking time will vary depending on the air fryer so watch it closely.
Is air fried cauliflower healthy?
Air fried cauliflower is a healthier alternative to deep fried cauliflower.
Why is my fried cauliflower soggy?
If your air fried cauliflower is soggy, you may have used too much oil or overcrowded the air fryer basket.
I hope you enjoy this crispy air fryer cauliflower! If you love it, let me know on Instagram and Facebook.
Crispy Air Fried Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3/4 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Chop the cauliflower florets and add them into a big bowl.
- Add the olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Mix well until all cauliflower is coated well.
- Place them into your air fryer.
- Air fry at 400F for 12 minutes, making sure to shake halfway through.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, I love ranch!
Notes
- There’s no need to preheat the air fryer.
- Every air fryer is different, so make sure to check it around 5 minutes to shake it, then again at 10 minutes to ensure it doesn’t burn.
- Feel free to adjust the cooking time a little bit if needed.
