Yes, you CAN roast cauliflower in your air fryer, and it’s crispy and ridiculously delicious! Just toss cauliflower florets in olive oil, some simple seasonings and panko breadcrumbs, and air fry for about 12 minutes.
Serve it with your favorite dip and air fried cauliflower will quickly become a go-to appetizer. Perfect for simple entertaining, parties, holiday menus, or any occasion!
When you roast vegetables, it makes them feel like a treat, right? I make these Mediterranean roast vegetables at least once a week, and these roasted brussel sprouts and carrots are great for special occasions.
But my absolute favorite vegetable to roast is cauliflower. It’s tender on the inside and sweet and lightly caramelized on the outside.
I can’t stop eating it. It must be those delicious crispy edges! It’s so great to eat by itself or with a dip, either as a quick appetizer for friends, or just as a tasty, healthy snack!
Why you’ll love air frying cauliflower
The best news of all is that you can air fry cauliflower and get just as delicious a result as if you roast it in the oven!
Here’s what’s so great about it.
✔ It’s faster. You can air fry cauliflower florets in around 12 minutes, making it perfect for a last minute dinner side dish. It takes over double the time (around 25 minutes) to roast cauliflower in your regular oven.
✔ It’s easier. No need to line a baking tray or turn on your regular oven.
✔ It’s healthy. Air fried cauliflower tastes fried, but isn’t. You’ll use a fraction of the oil you’d use in a deep fryer. It’s also low carb and low in calories, if that’s important to you.
✔ It’s super crispy and delicious with just a few simple ingredients. No need for fancy breading. Just toss with some simple flavors, panko breadcrumbs and parmesan (the secret ingredients, and why I think this is the BEST recipe for air fryer cauliflower bites!).
About the ingredients
Here’s what you need to know about the few simple ingredients for this recipe.
A whole cauliflower head: Choose a small, firm one if possible. You may need to cook the cauliflower florets in 2 batches. Or simply store half of the cauliflower in the fridge for a quick snack or side on another day.
Olive oil: Tossing a little through the cauliflower florets before air frying both helps them to crisp, and gives them extra flavor. It also helps the herbs/spices, crumbs and parmesan to stick to the florets.
Herbs and spices: I usually use a mixture of paprika, garlic and/or onion powder, mixed Italian herbs (or any dried herbs – thyme goes particularly well), cumin, and of course salt and pepper. If you don’t have one or more of these, that’s fine. You can use your favorite seasonings (how about lemon pepper?). Even just salt and pepper air fryer cauliflower will be tasty.
Panko breadcrumbs: Tossing just a few through the oiled cauliflower gives it a kind of simple panko coating – without the hassle of breading! Both plain or seasoned breadcrumbs are fine. You can also use regular breadcrumbs instead.
Grated parmesan cheese: This goes perfectly with the cauliflower, acting as an additional seasoning.
How to air fry cauliflower
The step-by-step guide below should help you make the recipe perfectly first time. Scroll down to the end for the full recipe including ingredient amounts.
Step 1: With a sharp knife, cut the stalk off the cauliflower. If you like, you can save this to cook into a soup.
Step 2: Slice or break the cauliflower into small or smallish florets. Rinse well in a colander. Dry with kitchen towel.
Step 3: Put the cauliflower florets into a large bowl. Then pour in the olive oil, followed by the herbs and spices.
Step 4: Finally, pour in the panko breadcrumbs, then toss until everything is mixed together.
Step 5: Preheat the air fryer for a few minutes to 390F/200C. Then spread the cauliflower out in the air fryer basket in one layer.
Step 6: Air fry for 6 minutes. Then toss the cauliflower around in the basket and air fry for roughly another 6 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
Helen’s top tips
- Don’t throw away the tiny bits of cauliflower that fall off when you cut it into florets. Throw them into the air fryer too! These are beautifully crispy and delicious when roasted.
- Dry the washed cauliflower florets well on kitchen paper before tossing with the oil and flavors. This will ensure maximum crispness!
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Otherwise the cauliflower can steam instead of ‘fry’ and end up not as crisp. Add it to the air fryer in a single layer, and work in batches if you need to.
- The first time you try this recipe in the particular air fryer you own, I recommend checking the cauliflower every 2 minutes during the second half of the cook time. You want the cauliflower to be nicely browned and crisp, but of course not burned.
- Bear in mind that cooking time will also depend on how big your florets are. If they are on the larger side, you may need to cook them for a minute or two longer.
- While cooking, some of the panko crumbs and seasoning may fall off into the base of the air fryer. Simply sprinkle them over the dish before serving for extra crunch!
Serving suggestions
I have been known to eat air fryer ‘roasted’ cauliflower all by myself straight out of the air fryer as a snack!
With a tasty dipping sauce
But it turns out it’s a very versatile dish. It makes a great easy appetizer or party food idea with any kind of dip on the side. Simple sweet dips such as sweet chilli sauce, balsamic glaze, or honey mustard sauce/dressing work particularly well. They complement the subtle ‘nutty’ sweetness of the cauliflower.
Also try a simple Greek tsatziki sauce, this 5-minute roasted red pepper and feta dip, any kind of pesto or hummus, natural yogurt, sour cream, or a simple marie rose sauce (just mix mayonnaise and ketchup together!).
As an easy side dish
Air fried cauliflower is a perfect last minute simple side dish option – for a midweek meal or even for guests.
It goes with so many different mains! Try it with crispy halloumi burgers, air fryer crispy chicken burgers (or any burgers!), pizza, or impossible quiche.
Or why not serve it with roast meat such as this perfect air fryer rotisserie chicken?
As part of other dishes
You can also use air fried cauliflower to make this incredible roasted cauliflower mashed potatoes, for roasted cauliflower and bacon soup, or use it instead of croutons to top any soup (have you tried this Instant Pot tomato soup?).
Or how about making cauliflower tacos? Pile crispy cauliflower, avocado, fresh tomato salsa and cheese into tortillas for a very easy and delicious dinner.
Variations
- Add a little heat by mixing a pinch of chilli powder or cayenne pepper into the seasoning. Or swap the garlic/onion/paprika/herbs for half to one teaspoon of curry powder. Or how about drizzling a little hot sauce over the top? Then sprinkle the air fried cauliflower with a little lime juice, and serve with a cooling yogurt dip.
- Make air fryer buffalo cauliflower instead. Season simply with just oil, salt and pepper before cooking, then drizzle your favourite buffalo sauce over the crispy cauliflower before serving.
- Try the recipe Mediterranean style! Replace the mixed herbs with dried oregano, then crumble a little feta cheese over the cauliflower a few minutes before the end of the cook time. Finally, sprinkle a little fresh chopped mint over the top to serve. Serve with tzatziki, of course!
- Wow your family or guests even more by tossing through some of this simple but very delicious lemon and butter sauce!
Recipe FAQ
You may have undercooked it. Try cooking it for longer next time. You can check every couple of minutes to check that it isn’t burning.
It might have contained too much water before adding it to the air fryer. Try drying it really well on paper towels after washing and before seasoning next time. Also, make sure you don’t overcrowd the air fryer. The florets should have a little room between them.
Using too much oil can be another reason for mushy cauliflower. You need enough to help it crisp up, but not enough to drench it.
You can, but actually I don’t recommend it. The cauliflower florets will not get as browned and crispy. Remember that they will be much lighter than fried, but will taste just as good!
If you want to get ahead, you can cut up the florets and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a few days until you want to air fry them. However, it’s best to only wash and season the cauliflower just before cooking. Otherwise, it can absorb too much water or oil and end up not crisping as well.
To be honest, it’s best to eat it as soon as possible after air frying, so that it’s hot and crisp. If there are any leftovers (unlikely!) you can try storing them covered in the fridge and then reheat and crisp up for a few minutes in the air fryer again.
Which air fryer is best? Well, there isn’t really a ‘best’ one. I’ve used a super basic small one that worked just fine, as well as a larger oven style air fryer which is also great. This affordable Cosori XL air fryer is nice and spacious, and comes highly recommended.
More easy vegetable side dishes
- I make these simple sautéed frozen green beans and/or this sautéed frozen broccoli at least once a week. They’re a great last minute vegetable option for midweek meals.
- These roasted Mediterranean vegetables are another simple, healthy veggie dish option. Make them either in your air fryer or your regular oven.
- You have to try these air fried smashed potatoes! They go with almost anything.
- I call these roasted carrots and brussel sprouts amazing for a reason. They’re very simple, but also incredibly delicious for either just a midweek meal or a special occasion.
Or see all easy side dishes.
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15-Minute Air Fried Cauliflower (& How To Serve!)
Equipment (affiliate links)
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
- 1 head cauliflower small(ish), and cut into small florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (Or your favorite oil.)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (Or ½ teaspoon onion powder, or ¼ teaspoon onion powder and ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.)
- 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs (Or any dried herbs.)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin (Optional.)
- 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
Optional
- 1 lemon cut into segments, for squeezing over at the table
- 1 small handful fresh herbs chopped e.g. basil, oregano, thyme, coriander
Instructions
- Remove the leaves from the cauliflower and cut off the stalk at the bottom. Then chop or break the cauliflower into small florets and wash them in a colander. You can include any tiny 'bits' that fall off the cauliflower while you're cutting it.1 head cauliflower
- Dry the cauliflower on kitchen paper, then put it into a large bowl. Toss through the olive oil.2 tablespoons olive oil
- Sprinkle over all the seasonings, and the panko breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. Toss until all the cauliflower florets are well coated.½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs, ¼ teaspoon ground cumin, 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
- Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes to 390F/200C. Then add the seasoned cauliflower to the basket in an even layer, being careful not to overcrowd it. Make 2 batches if necessary.
- Air fry for 6 minutes. Then shake the air fryer basket and air fry for another 6 minutes. If trying this recipe for the first time, you may want to check the cauliflower every couple of minutes during the second half of cooking. You want it to be golden brown and crisp, but of course not burned.
- Serve immediately with optional lemon segments, and with fresh herbs scattered on top. If you like, you can also serve tzatziki, ranch dressing, Greek yogurt, sour cream, sweet chilli sauce or another simple dip of your choice on the side.1 lemon, 1 small handful fresh herbs
Cathy says
New to air frying. Ours doesn’t have preheat. Should I just add minutes?
Helen says
Hello Cathy! That’s no problem at all. Just turn the air fryer on at the temperature stated in the recipe for 3 minutes. Then take the basket out and add the food. You don’t always have to preheat the air fryer but I think it’s probably best for this recipe. I hope you enjoy it! (and also enjoy your new air fryer generally. I use mine nearly every day!).
Glynis says
What temperature is the air fryer set at please Helen?
Many thanks
Helen says
Hi Glynis! Ooh sorry about that! I completely forgot to say. The air fryer should be set at 390F/200C. I’ll change it in the recipe. I hope you enjoy it!
barb nagle says
how do i do this in oven, i do not have an airfryer?
Helen says
Hello Barb! You can definitely make this in the oven, too. It will take about double the time, but still only around 30 minutes, and it will be just as delicious. Simply roast at 425F/220C for around 25-30 minutes on a lined baking tray. Add the panko crumbs and parmesan for the last 10 minutes of the cooking time (rather than at the beginning as in the air fryer version), and toss well.