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This quick recipe for Air Fryer Cauliflower is irresistibly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Tossed with your favorite seasonings, this versatile veggie is ready in just minutes.
Serve it on its own as a guilt-free side dish, to prep Cauliflower Tinga Tacos, or as a base for my crowd-pleasing Cauliflower Buffalo Dip.
Meggan’s notes
As a busy mom and classically-trained chef, I’m always looking for shortcuts that can cut down on time without sacrificing flavor, and air fryer cauliflower has quickly become one of my go-to recipes.
Roasting at a high temperature brings out the natural nuttiness and caramelization in the cauliflower, and using an air fryer speeds up the process from start to finish. It’s a quick, healthy, and restaurant-quality dish that pairs beautifully with a main.
My secret? I use my hands to coat the cauliflower in oil so it gets into all the nooks and crannies. This ensures an even, crisp coating that helps the seasonings stick and maximizes flavor in every bite.
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Cauliflower: Look for one that is bright off-white, firm, and heavy, without any brown discoloration or soft spots. Cut the cauliflower florets into pieces that are all about the same size so they cook evenly.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees. In a large bowl, add cauliflower, olive oil, salt, and pepper (I like at least ¼ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper). Toss to combine. Be sure to coat the florets well with oil so they don’t scorch.
- Transfer the cauliflower to the basket of an air fryer and arrange in a single layer (work in batches if necessary). Leave enough space for air to circulate around the florets without overcrowding.
- Air fry at 390 degrees for 7 to 9 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender-crisp with browned edges. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even heating. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve hot or at room temperature.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This recipe makes 2 cups of cooked cauliflower, enough for 4 servings, ½ cup each.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Make ahead: Chop the cauliflower up to 3 days in advance. Store covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to air fry.
- Freezer: Allow the cauliflower to cool completely after air frying to prevent condensation, which can make it soggy.
- Leftovers: Reheat the leftovers as a side or enjoy them cold, tossed into salads with leafy greens, quinoa, hard-boiled eggs, raisins, and red wine vinaigrette. Avoid microwaving, as it may make the cauliflower mushy.
- More cauliflower techniques: Learn how to cut cauliflower, how to blanch cauliflower, how to roast cauliflower, and how to make cauliflower rice.
- Keep things dry: After you rinse your vegetables, pat them dry or allow them to air dry before they go into the air fryer. More moisture = more steam = less toasty crisp bits.
- Cauliflower Gratin: This easy vegetable casserole features a creamy garlic Alfredo sauce that will convince even picky eaters to enjoy eating vegetables.
- Buffalo dip: This 10-minute appetizer recipe for Cauliflower Buffalo Dip is a hot, cheesy, and delicious vegetarian twist on classic Buffalo wing dip.
- Cauliflower mash: Skip the spuds and try these Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes. It’s an easy way to eat more veggies and they taste almost as good as the real thing!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, cauliflower gets a delicious, nutty taste in the air fryer! It becomes perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with a minimal use of oil.
Yes, I recommend coating the cauliflower with enough oil to help create a crispy texture and enhance the flavor by allowing the salt and pepper to stick.
You can reheat leftover air fryer cauliflower in the microwave, but the texture might be mushy. For a crispy texture, reheat the frozen cauliflower directly in the air fryer at 300 degrees for 2-3 minutes–no defrosting needed!
More cauliflower recipes
Vegan Recipes
Cauliflower Tinga Tacos
Side Dish Recipes
Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
Vegetable Recipes
Roasted Cauliflower
Stews and Soups
Cream of Cauliflower Soup
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Air Fryer Cauliflower
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound cauliflower florets (see note 1)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees. In a large bowl, add cauliflower, olive oil, salt, and pepper (I like at least ¼ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper). Toss to combine. Be sure to coat the florets well with oil so they don't scorch.
- Transfer the cauliflower to the basket of an air fryer and arrange in a single layer (work in batches if necessary). Leave enough space for air to circulate around the florets without overcrowding.
- Air fry at 390 degrees for 7 to 9 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender-crisp with browned edges. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even heating. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve hot or at room temperature.
Notes
- Cauliflower: Look for one that is bright off-white, firm and heavy, without any brown discoloration or soft spots. Cut the cauliflower florets into pieces that are all about the same size so they cook evenly.
- Yield: This recipe makes 2 cups of cooked cauliflower, enough for 4 servings, ½ cup each.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.