Introduction

Remember those days when healthy eating felt like a chore? When vegetables were just… there, waiting to be steamed into bland submission? Well, get ready to toss all those memories out the window, because we’re about to make cauliflower the star of your plate! This Air Fryer Cauliflower recipe is a total game-changer. It’s so ridiculously easy, comes together in a flash, and the flavor is absolutely addictive. You’ll be reaching for your air fryer more than you ever thought possible!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, from start to finish, this takes less time than most takeout orders!
Easy: Minimal prep, minimal mess. Anyone can make this.
Giftable: While we’re talking about sides, imagine bringing a batch of these to a potluck. You’ll be the hero!
Crowd-pleasing: Even the pickiest eaters will be begging for more. It’s that good.

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the easiest part of this recipe. You likely have most of them in your pantry already!

1 medium head of cauliflower: This is our star! We want nice, bite-sized florets.
2 tablespoons olive oil: Just enough to coat everything and help it get that lovely crisp.
1 teaspoon smoked paprika: This is where the magic happens! It gives our cauliflower a gorgeous color and a hint of smoky deliciousness.
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Because what doesn’t taste better with a little garlic?
Salt and pepper, to taste: The essential finishing touches.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! It’s as simple as tossing and air frying.

Preheat your air fryer: This is super important for getting that perfect crispy texture. Set it to 400°F (200°C). Let it get nice and hot while you prep.
Get your cauliflower ready: Cut your cauliflower into nice, bite-sized florets. You want them to be similar in size so they cook evenly.
Time to season! In a medium bowl, toss your cauliflower florets with the olive oil. Make sure each floret gets a nice coating.
Add the flavor: Sprinkle in the smoked paprika and garlic powder. Toss again until everything is beautifully coated.
Season to perfection: Now, add your salt and pepper to taste. I always give it a good grind!
Into the air fryer they go: Arrange the seasoned cauliflower in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd it! If you have too much, you’ll end up steaming it, and we want crispy, remember? You might need to do this in two batches.
Let the air fryer work its magic: Air fry for 10-12 minutes. Around the halfway mark (about 5-6 minutes), give the basket a good shake to ensure even browning. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re tender when poked with a fork and delightfully browned around the edges.

Substitutions & Additions

While this recipe is fantastic as is, you can totally play around with it! Here are some ideas:

Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of chili powder for a little heat.
Cheesy goodness: Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the cauliflower during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Oh. My. Goodness.
Herb it up: Fresh parsley, dill, or chives are lovely sprinkled on top after cooking.
Lemon squeeze: A little squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving brightens up all those flavors.
Other spices: Feel free to experiment with cumin, onion powder, or even a touch of curry powder!

Tips for Success

A few little tricks can make this recipe even better. Don’t worry, these are easy peasy!

Don’t overcrowd the basket: I know I mentioned it, but it’s worth repeating! Give your cauliflower some breathing room so it can get crispy.
Uniform florets: Try to cut your cauliflower into similarly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
Shake it up: Don’t forget to shake the basket halfway through. This ensures all sides get that beautiful golden-brown char.
Prep ahead: You can cut your cauliflower florets a day in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Just season and air fry when you’re ready to cook!

How to Store It

Leftovers? What leftovers? Just kidding! If you happen to have any, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They’re best reheated in the air fryer or a hot oven for a few minutes to regain some crispiness, but they’re still tasty cold too!

FAQs

Got a few burning questions? I’ve got you covered!

Can I use frozen cauliflower?

You can, but it might release more moisture and become less crispy. If you do, make sure it’s thoroughly thawed and patted very dry before seasoning and air frying. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

How do I know if the cauliflower is done?

It should be tender when pierced with a fork and have lovely browned, slightly crispy edges. The exact time can vary depending on your air fryer and the size of your florets.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Absolutely! This recipe is already vegan as written. If you add Parmesan cheese, just be sure to use a vegan alternative.

Can I add other vegetables?

Yes! Broccoli florets, bell pepper chunks, or even sweet potato cubes (cut smaller) can be air fried alongside the cauliflower. Just be mindful of cooking times, as some vegetables cook faster than others.

Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower

This Air Fryer Cauliflower recipe is a game-changer, offering a ridiculously easy and quick way to make a flavorful and addictive vegetable side dish that will please even picky eaters.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 12

Servings 4

Equipment

Air Fryer
Medium bowl

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 medium head cauliflower Cut into bite-sized florets
2 tablespoons olive oil For coating
1 teaspoon smoked paprika For color and smoky flavor
0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
to taste salt
to taste pepper

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
1 medium head cauliflower
In a medium bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil until coated.
1 medium head cauliflower
Sprinkle in the smoked paprika and garlic powder, tossing again until evenly coated.
1 medium head cauliflower
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
1 medium head cauliflower
Arrange the seasoned cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. Cook in batches if necessary.
Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through (around 5-6 minutes).
The cauliflower is ready when tender when pierced with a fork and has browned, crispy edges.

Notes

For variations, consider adding cayenne pepper, chili powder, Parmesan cheese (towards the end of cooking), fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or chives, a squeeze of lemon juice, or other spices like cumin, onion powder, or curry powder. Ensure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket for maximum crispiness. Uniform florets and shaking the basket halfway through are key tips for success. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and are best reheated.