Cauliflower is delicious in any recipe, from aloo gobi to a creamy cauliflower curry to crispy roasted cauliflower and chickpeas. Now try cooking this easy and swift recipe for air fried cauliflower, and even if you didn’t love this awesome veggie before, you will be head over heels. The great thing about this recipe is it goes from scratch to done in about 15 minutes, if you include the time needed to cut the cauliflower and season it. The cauliflower florets need just eight minutes in the air fryer before they are cooked to perfection. I tried this recipe with different seasonings, including an Indian-inspired seasoning of garam masala and turmeric. They were all tasty, but in the end my favorite was this simplest one with just oregano, salt, fresh-ground black pepper and extra virgin olive oil. If you love air fryer recipes, including air fryer tofu, air fryer potatoes, air fryer chickpeas, air fryer Brussels sprouts and air fryer zucchini, this recipe is for you.
Why you will love this recipe
Tasty and delicious. I love roasted cauliflower but I was pleasantly surprised by how much more wonderful it tastes after a turn in the air fryer. The outer edges of the florets turn crispy and brown and inside the florets are cooked to perfect tenderness. The flavor with the oregano, salt and pepper is exquisite. Ready in 15 minutes. This air fryer cauliflower recipe is the easiest cauliflower recipe I have ever made, with just a few minutes needed for prep and a few more in the air fryer. And the only special ingredient you need is oregano which most of us already have in our pantries. Healthy. Brassicas like cauliflower are great for your health, packed as they are with phytonutrients and antioxidants that fight major diseases, including cancer. This recipe makes the exquisitely healthy cauliflower even healthier by adding herbs and olive oil. No cauliflower smell! This is a big one for me because I cannot get myself to eat smelly cauliflower. The smell is caused by sulfur compounds in cauliflower and other cruciferous veggies that are released during cooking. Roasting the cauliflower in the air fryer at a high temperature takes care of that smell, however, and all you experience is the utter deliciousness. Suited to all diets. Keto, vegan, soy-free, nut-free or gluten-free? You can eat this air fryer cauliflower without a care in the world.
Variations
If you want to serve this recipe with an Indian meal, season it with a few spices, including ½ teaspoon turmeric and ¼ teaspoon garam masala, and salt, pepper, and a neutral oil, such as avocado oil, sunflower oil or grape seed oil. You can try this air fryer cauliflower recipe with different herbs. Basil is wonderful with oregano, as are thyme and rosemary. You can also use Italian seasoning. Toss the cauliflower florets with garlic powder, salt, ground black pepper and olive oil. If you want a very minimalist recipe, skip the rest and just use a seasoning of salt, pepper and olive oil. Sprinkle lemon juice or lime juice over the cauliflower florets after air-frying to add a pop of freshness.
How to make air fryer cauliflower
Serving suggestions
This crispy air fryer cauliflower is the perfect side dish with any entree, from veggie burgers to a simple rice pilaf. Add it to tacos or salads. Serve it as a starter, snack or appetizer. If you want to, serve it with a dipping sauce like this magic cheezy sauce or with vegan ranch dressing for even more yumminess. Add it to recipes that call for frying cauliflower. You will need much less oil and the air-fried cauliflower is just as delicious.
Helpful tips
Do not overcrowd the air fryer to ensure even circulation of air around the florets. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket you might need to air-fry the cauliflower in batches. Don’t leave the cauliflower unattended in the air fryer for too long. Check on it halfway through cooking and flip the florets over to ensure even browning. Serve the air fryer cauliflower shortly after cooking for the best crispy texture. The cauliflower florets will soften as they stand, but they’ll still taste amazing. Eight minutes at 385 degrees Fahrenheit/195 degrees Celsius produces the perfectly crispy and tender cauliflower. But depending on your air fryer and the size of your florets you might need a little longer. If you do add a couple of minutes air frying time to the recipe, make sure you check after every minute to ensure the cauliflower doesn’t burn.
Storage instructions
Refrigerate: The cauliflower is best eaten right after air frying. But if you have leftovers store them in the fridge for up to three days. Freeze: Freeze the cauliflower florets in an airtight container for up to three months. Reheat: Reheat the refrigerated or frozen air fryer cauliflower in the air fryer at 350 degrees until warmed through and crispy again.
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