Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower
This air fryer cauliflower is a quick and easy side dish that turns plain florets into crunchy, golden bites in under 20 minutes. Perfect for a snack or weeknight veggie side.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, trimmed and cut into bite-sized florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil sub: avocado oil or light olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder sub: 1 clove fresh garlic, minced, added near the end
- 1 teaspoon paprika smoked paprika for a smokier flavor
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional) use nutritional yeast for a vegan option
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Allow it to heat for 3–5 minutes.
- Trim the cauliflower into even bite-sized florets. Pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
- In a large bowl, combine the florets with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
Cooking
- Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd — work in batches if needed.
- Cook for 15–20 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping florets halfway through to promote even browning. Check at 12–14 minutes if your air fryer runs hot.
- When the florets are golden and crisp at the edges, remove them and immediately sprinkle with grated Parmesan if using. Serve right away.
Notes
If your florets are wet, pat them thoroughly with a towel — moisture prevents crisping. You can swap paprika for curry powder, chili powder, or za’atar for different profiles.