Air Fryer Cauliflower is one of the easiest cauliflower recipes ever! Seasoned to perfection and then air-fried until tender with crispy edges, this Air Fryer Cauliflower recipe mimics the flavor and texture of roasted cauliflower, yet comes together in minutes.
If you love this Air Fryer Cauliflower recipe, don't miss my recipes for Air Fryer Corn on the Cob, Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan, and Air Fryer Zucchini Fries.
My Favorite Easy Cauliflower Recipe
I have become obsessed with air frying vegetables. From Air Fryer Asparagus to Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts to Air Fryer Cauliflower, the air fryer mimics the texture, caramelization, and crispness of roasted vegetables in a fraction of the time it takes in the oven.
And today is all about Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower.
Made with a tiny bit of oil, fresh cauliflower florets, and simple seasonings, Air Fryer Cauliflower is incredibly simple to make and irresistibly crispy.
Whether served as an appetizer with sweet chili sauce or ranch dressing or as a healthy vegetable side dish, you are going to find yourself making Air Fryer Cauliflower on repeat.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Cut Cauliflower
To prepare the cauliflower florets, first wash a head of fresh cauliflower and pat dry. Cut in half vertically and then cut around the core of the cauliflower to form florets. Leave enough of the stem on the cauliflower florets to keep the florets intact as they air fry.
Season Cauliflower
Toss the cauliflower florets with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and seasonings of choice. I recommend using a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
Air Fry Cauliflower
Spread out the seasoned cauliflower in the air fryer basket or tray and air fryer for 9 to 15 minutes, shaking every 3 minutes. Cauliflower can go from golden and crispy to burnt quickly, so it is best to keep a close eye on the cauliflower as it cooks.
Serving Suggestions
The options for serving Air Fryer Cauliflower are endless, but I want to share with you a few of my favorite options.
- With a Dipping Sauce: While Air Fryer Cauliflower is irresistible straight out of the air fryer, adding a side of ranch dressing, sweet chili sauce, or tartar sauce for dipping is never a bad idea.
- As an Appetizer: Toss the air fryer cauliflower in buffalo sauce or BBQ sauce after air-frying for a healthy spin on chicken wings.
- As a Side Dish: Serve as a side dish alongside Baked Salmon, Honey Garlic Pork Chops, or Grilled BBQ Chicken.
- Make Cauliflower Tacos: Replace the roasted cauliflower with air fryer cauliflower to make delicious Cauliflower Tacos.
Storage Instructions
- Leftovers: Store any leftover air fryer cauliflower in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
- Reheat: Do not microwave the leftover cauliflower. Instead, reheat the cauliflower by air frying at 370 degrees F for 3-6 minutes, tossing every 2 minutes , until it becomes crispy again.
Recipe Modifications
- Change up the Seasonings: Replace the seasoning blend in the recipe with 2 teaspoons of Ranch Seasoning, Taco Seasoning, Fajita Seasoning, Copycat Lipton Onion Soup Mix, or Cajun Seasoning.
- Use Cooking Spray: Instead of tossing the cauliflower with olive oil, spray them with avocado or olive oil cooking spray before adding the seasonings.
More Favorite Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Summer Squash
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Potatoes
- Air Fryer Gnocchi
- Air Fryer Shrimp
If you enjoyed this simple recipe for Air Fryer Cauliflower, I would love for you to leave a review and comment below.
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 small head of cauliflower about 3 cups of florets
- ½ teaspoon extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- If needed per your model, preheat the air fryer to 380℉.
- Wash the head of cauliflower and pat dry. Cut in half vertically and then cut around the core of the cauliflower to form florets.
- In a medium mixing bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with the oil, paprika, garlic powder, and salt until evenly coated.
- Spread the florets out in a single layer in the basket or tray of the air fryer.
- Air fry at 380℉, for 9-15 minutes, until browned and crispy, removing the basket every 3 minutes to toss and check on the cauliflower.
- Serve immediately.
Nicole
I follow all of your recipes and just love you. Your instant pot times are always right on. You also advised me that the instant pot isn’t a good slow cooker and you’re right. I know you mentioned in the recipe about using the instant pot air fryer. I love my instant pot do you have experience using the instant pot as an air fryer? Thank you so much you’re amazing 😊
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Nicole! I am just thrilled you enjoy my recipes so much 🙂 It means the world to me. As for using the Instant Pot with an Air Fryer Lid, yes, you absolutely can but if you have room for both an air fryer and and Instant Pot, that may be a better option. Using the lid has less capacity and the cook times can vary a bit (usually takes a bit longer)
Deanna Striver
I will never make cauliflower again any other way! This is the best!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing that!
Betsy
Wonderfully and delightfully delicious! And healthy! Low carb and a perfect side dish, appetizer, or even snack! Served mine with a side of buffalo sauce as well as ranch and it was a HUGE hit!
Kristen Chidsey
So happy to hear you enjoyed Betsy! I love pairing the cauliflower with buffalo sauce as well.
Anna
This cauliflower is so tasty, I have the second batch in my air fryer right now! My whole family loves it!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks for sharing Anna!
Mary Lou
Love our air fried cauliflower! So tasty and healthy