This air fryer cauliflower recipe is a quick and effortless way to make perfectly roasted cauliflower to pair with any main course! The air fryer will crisp the edges and give this delicious veggie a "fried" texture without the extra oil! All it takes is a few simple ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time to have a healthy and flavorful vegetable side dish that everyone will enjoy!
Easy Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe
Cooking cauliflower in the air fryer is a great way to get a flavorful and crispy vegetable side dish you can serve in a pinch! Ditch the roasting, steaming, and boiling methods, and you'll have cauliflower florets that have a delightfully "fried" texture with less hassle!
Start by washing and cutting a head of cauliflower, then toss the florets in oil and an all-purpose seasoning (or your favorite spice blend)! It's an extremely easy and versatile side to pair with any main course you have planned for the day.
Jump to:
🥘 Air Fryer Cauliflower Ingredients
This recipe only requires a few simple ingredients to make a flavorful side dish the whole family will enjoy! I recommend using ground turmeric for an extra layer of tasty flavor. However, you can season your cauliflower however you'd like!
- Cauliflower - 1 head of cauliflower.
- Olive Oil - 1 ½ tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).
- All-Purpose Seasoning - 2 teaspoons of all-purpose seasoning. Try my recipe, or use your favorite brand.
- Ground Turmeric (optional) - ½ teaspoon of ground turmeric or use a ground turmeric substitute.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Air Fryer Cauliflower
The best thing about cooking with your air fryer is that it does all of the hard work for you! You will need an air fryer (basket style), a chef's knife, and a mixing bowl to get started.
This recipe will make around 4 servings. It will depend on the size of the cauliflower head you pick out, but it will be enough for a family dinner!
- Prep cauliflower. Prep your head of cauliflower by washing it thoroughly and trimming it into 1-2 inch florets. Then transfer the florets to a mixing bowl.
- Coat cauliflower. Add 1 ½ tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons of all-purpose seasoning, and ½ teaspoon of ground turmeric (if using). Toss until the cauliflower is evenly coated with the oil and seasoning.
- Air Fry. Place the cauliflower into the basket of the air fryer and cook at 400°F (205°C) for 15 minutes. Shake the basket a few times during the cooking time for uniform browning.
- Serve. After the cauliflower is done cooking, remove it from the air fryer and serve.
This tasty and versatile vegetable pairs well with just about any dish! I like to serve it with my air fryer chicken breast and my air fryer baby potatoes for a well-rounded meal. Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
- It is not necessary to preheat your air fryer for most air fryer recipes; however, you can preheat it for 5 minutes at 400°F (205°C) if you prefer your cauliflower to be extra crispy.
- Make sure to cut the head of cauliflower into evenly sized florets so that they cook evenly at the same time.
- Check the cauliflower frequently to avoid overcooking or burning. It's better to underestimate the cooking time because you can't fix overcooked cauliflower.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Allow your leftover cauliflower to cool down to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container or resealable bag. Store in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
Freezing Air Fryer Cauliflower
Transfer your completely cooled cauliflower to a heavy-duty storage bag and freeze it for up to 3 months. Let the cauliflower thaw in your refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating Air Fryer Cauliflower
To reheat the cauliflower, you can either put it back into the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp up or heat it up in the microwave in 30-second increments.
>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<
❓ Recipe FAQs
In this recipe, I did not preheat the air fryer; however, it's totally up to your personal preference. Most air fryer recipes do not actually require the preheating method. If you prefer your cauliflower to be extra crispy, you can go ahead and preheat for 5 minutes.
Yes, you can! I recommend completely thawing your cauliflower before you put it in the air fryer. Pat it dry with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel to remove any excess moisture; then, you can toss it in seasoning and oil.
Absolutely! Cauliflower freezes well when properly stored in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty resealable bag that has the excess air squeezed out. Store in your freezer for up to 3 months and allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
😋 More Tasty Cauliflower Recipes
- Instant Pot Cauliflower - An easy and quick way to get perfectly steamed cauliflower to pair with any main course!
- Baked Cauliflower With Cheese - A delicious and flavorful vegetable side dish that's baked to perfection in the oven with cheddar cheese!
- Cauliflower Ham Pasta Casserole - This tasty casserole features ham, tender cauliflower, and al dente bow-tie pasta all tossed in a cheese sauce!
- Microwave Cauliflower - An easy, tasty, and tender side dish that's ready to serve in under 15 minutes!
- Cauliflower Mac & Cheese - This delicious, rich macaroni dish combines everything you love about mac & cheese with cauliflower florets!
- Creamy Cauliflower Ham Soup - This creamy coup is an amazing, comforting dish to warm you up on a chilly day!
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!
📖 Recipe Card
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1½ tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
- 2 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning (try my all-purpose seasoning recipe, or use your favorite brand)
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric (optional)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Prep your head of cauliflower by washing it thoroughly and trimming it into 1-2 inch florets. Then transfer the florets to a mixing bowl.
- Add the extra virgin olive oil, all-purpose seasoning, and turmeric (if using). Toss until the cauliflower is evenly coated with the oil and seasoning.
- Place the cauliflower into the basket of the air fryer and cook at 400°F (205°C) for 15 minutes. Shake the basket a few times during the cooking time for uniform browning.
- After the cauliflower is done cooking, remove from the air fryer and serve.
Notes
- It is not necessary to preheat your air fryer for most air fryer recipes, however, you can preheat it for 5 minutes at 400°F (205°C) if you prefer your cauliflower to be extra crispy.
- Make sure to cut the head of cauliflower into evenly sized florets so that they cook evenly at the same time.
- Check the cauliflower frequently to avoid overcooking or burning. It's better to underestimate the cooking time because you can't fix overcooked cauliflower.
- To store: Allow your leftover cauliflower to cool down to room temperature then place it in an airtight container or resealable bag. Store in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
- To freeze: Transfer your completely cooled cauliflower to a heavy-duty storage bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Let the cauliflower thaw in your refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- To reheat: To reheat the cauliflower, you can either put it back into the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp up or heat it up in the microwave in 30-second increments.
patrick says
trés bonne recette