Air-fried cauliflower is the most versatile recipe, used widely as a side dish, in mushroom salads or burgers. You can even munch on these air-fried cauliflower florets to rest your mid-meal cravings. The best part, making them does not even take you more than 20 minutes.
So, if you are craving a savory side dish, definitely give this recipe a shot.
Cauliflower in Air Fryer Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Basket Liner
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- ½ tsp Ground turmeric
- ½ tsp Smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Ground black pepper
- 1 Small cauliflower head They should be cut into florets
Instructions
- First, cut your cauliflowers in small florets.
- Now, take a plate and add cauliflower florets to it. Drizzle olive oil over the cauliflower and toss in it a mixture of turmeric, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, and make sure the cauliflower florets are well-coated in the seasoning.
- Transfer the cauliflower to the air fryer basket and cook it in the air fryer at 390 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius for around 15 minutes. Flip the cauliflowers after every 3 minutes.
- When the time is complete, remove the cauliflowers from the air fryer basket and transfer them onto the serving plate. Enjoy them warm or add in a salad.
Notes
- Do not skip the olive oil at any cost. Your vegetables won’t taste crispy without it. Spraying your cauliflower florets with olive oil and cooking them in the air fryer will make them lighter and crispier.
- Work in batches. Arrange the cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket and do not overwhelm it with the contents, or it will leave the food undercooked. So, you may need to adjust depending on the size of the air fryer.
Nutritional Value of Air-Fried Cauliflower
Given that it’s just cauliflower coated with a batter and air-fried, this recipe is pretty rich in nutrients. Just to give an idea, these four servings of air-fried cauliflower have 49 calories, 4g carbs, 1g protein, 311 mg sodium, 198 mg potassium, 1g fiber, 32mg vitamin C, and 15 mg calcium.
How to Cut Cauliflower?
Cutting the cauliflowers is pretty easy. But if you have no clue, here is how it goes.
- First, remove the coarse leaves, starting from the base, and make your way to the head.
- Use a sharp knife and always cut the cauliflower vertically.
- You can also use your hands to break apart the florets into smaller sizes.
- Always go for small to medium florets to make sure they are cooked evenly. It is especially important when you are air frying them.
Can I Use Frozen Cauliflower?
Yes, of course; you can always cook frozen cauliflower florets in the air fryer. All you need to do is thoroughly defrost them, season them, and put them in the air fryer for around 15 minutes. Flip them in between to check they are cooked perfectly.
- Just make sure not to cook the frozen cauliflower florets directly, or you will end up with soft and mushy cauliflower.
What to Serve Your Air-Fried Cauliflower with?
Well, these air-fried cauliflowers go well with almost everything on their own. I usually incorporate them in the following recipes; a side dish with air-fried chicken breast, air-fried ribeye steak, and air-fried salmon. You can also use them in veggie burgers, mushroom burgers, sandwiches, and Mediterranean/ Caesar salad.
What to Do with the Leftovers?
Well, most of the time, you won’t be left with the leftovers, as it has never happened to me. But, still, if you are preparing these air fryer cauliflower for weekday meals, keeping them in the fridge for 3 to 4 days is absolutely fine. Just put them in an airtight container and reheat them in the microwave for 30 seconds, and you are good to go.
Try It Already!
Cauliflower florets cooked in an air fryer are a perfect choice for mid-meal cravings, packed with bold flavors and perfect crunch. You can prepare them ahead of time and put them in an air fryer whenever needed. So, ditch the weight-gaining snacks and switch to air fryer cauliflowers.
