This Crispy Air Fryer Roasted Cauliflower is incredibly easy and delicious. It's perfect as a side dish, healthy snack, or appetizer. You can enjoy it Indian-style with mint chutney or add it to salads, soups, or tacos. Plus, it's low-carb/Keto, vegan, and gluten-free!
From air fryer onion pakora to aloo tikki, tandoori paneer tikka, air fryer aloo gobi, air fryers allow you to prepare a wide range of delicious dishes with minimal oil. The best part? You can enjoy all your favorite flavors without the guilt!
That said, here we present a delicious, crispy air fryer cauliflower recipe that people of all ages love. It is easy, quick, and extremely delicious. This crispy and delightful recipe is the perfect snack or side dish for any day. You can even pair it with your favorite sauce or dip to enhance its taste.
It's quickly become my family's favorite addition to weeknight dinners, especially when served alongside comforting dishes like instant pot basmati rice and instant pot dal tadka.
Discover a collection of 20+ Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables recipes, perfect as a veggie side dish for busy weeknights or holiday dinners.
Jump to:
Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe Ingredients
- Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into small to medium-sized florets to ensure even and quick cooking. Larger florets might burn on the outside before cooking through the middle.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: is ideal for roasting, adds richness, and helps crisp up the cauliflower in the air fryer. Alternatively, you can use avocado or grapeseed oil.
- Spices: Garlic powder, red chili powder (or smoked paprika, cayenne), turmeric powder, salt, and pepper.
How to Make Crispy Roasted Cauliflower in Air Fryer
- Cut 1 small whole cauliflower into small to medium-sized florets, roughly the same size for even cooking. This will yield about 20 florets.
- Transfer the cauliflower florets to a medium bowl. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, ¼ teaspoon turmeric, salt, and pepper to taste. Toss them well, so they are all coated with the seasoning.
Indian Roasted Cauliflower Variation: Toss cauliflower with 1 tablespoon oil, ½ teaspoon coriander powder, ½ teaspoon roasted cumin powder, ¼ teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon red chili powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala (or chaat masala), ¼ teaspoon salt. Alternatively, use 1 tablespoon of curry powder instead.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Add the seasoned cauliflower to the basket of the air fryer and spread it in a single layer (cook in batches if required). Spray some oil on top if required.
- Air fry them at 390°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes or until slightly brown and crisp. Shake the basket halfway through. Mine was cooked perfectly in 12 minutes.
- Roasted cauliflower is ready. Remove to a serving plate, squeeze some lime juice, and serve it immediately with a tasty dipping sauce like sriracha mayo on the side.
How to Roast Cauliflower in the Oven
Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the seasoned cauliflower evenly in a single layer.
Bake at 425˚F for 15-20 minutes, tossing occasionally or until cauliflower reaches desired crispiness.
Serving Suggestions
This air-fried cauliflower can be enjoyed as an Indian appetizer or snack and pairs wonderfully with dipping sauces sriracha mayo, or yogurt mint chutney.
They can also be enjoyed as a side dish with Indian meals such as dal tadka, jeera rice.
If you have any leftovers, they make a great filling for tacos or wraps.
Storage Suggestions
- Meal Prep: You can cut the cauliflower into florets 1 day in advance and refrigerate it in an airtight container.
- To Store: Store your crispy roasted cauliflower, in refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- To Freeze: You may freeze the roasted cauliflower in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 2 months.
- To Reheat: To reheat your cauliflower, air fry it at 350°F for about 2-3 minutes until it's warmed throughout. If frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator for a few hours before reheating.
Pro-Tips
- Cut them the same size: This helps for quick and even cooking.
- Work in batches: Make sure to spread the cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each other. Cook in batches if needed.
- Shake the basket halfway: It's important to shake it halfway through to allow the cauliflower florets to be cooked evenly.
- Serve them immediately: These crispy roasted cauliflowers get soft as they sit and cool.
- No need to boil the cauliflower before air frying.
- The exact cooking time will vary based on the air fryer being used.
Seasoning Variations
- Mexican Roasted Cauliflower: Toss cauliflower with 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning.
- Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower: Use 1 tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Italian Roasted Cauliflower: Use 1 tablespoon of oil, 2-3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon of lemon zest, 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh Italian parsley for garnish.
Frequently Asked Questions
There can be several reasons why roasted cauliflower can get soggy or mushy.
1. Overcrowded basket: Make sure to leave some space between the florets to cook.
2. Less oil: Ensure the florets have enough oil coated to crisp up.
3. Inconsistent cut: Make sure the florets are evenly sized, as some may cook faster than others, making them soggy.
No, it is not necessary to boil cauliflower before air frying. Cut the cauliflower into florets, toss it with oil and spices, and roast at a high temperature.
Yes, you can use frozen cauliflower for air frying. Make sure to pat the cauliflower dry using a kitchen towel before air frying to achieve a crispy texture.
Note: The cooking time may be longer, and the texture may not be as crispy as fresh cauliflower.
More Vegetarian Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 small cauliflower head cut into florets, (about 20 florets)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder optional
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- lemon wedges for serving (optional)
- freshly chopped cilantro for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cut the whole cauliflower into small to medium-sized florets, roughly the same size for even cooking.
- Transfer the cauliflower florets to a medium bowl. Add olive oil and season with garlic powder, red chili powder, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Toss them well, so they are all coated with the seasoning.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Add the seasoned cauliflower to the basket of air fryer and spread them in a single layer (cook in batches if required).Spray some oil on top if required.
- Air fryer them at 390°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes or until slightly brown and crisp. Shake the basket halfway through. Mine was cooked perfectly in 12 minutes.
- Roasted Cauliflower is ready. Remove in a serving plate, squeeze some lime juice and serve it immediately with a tasty dipping sauce on the side.
Oven Method:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the seasoned cauliflower evenly in a single layer.Bake at 425˚F for 15-20 minutes, tossing occasionally or until cauliflower reaches desired crispiness.
Video
Notes
Pro-Tips & Notes
- Cut them the same size: This helps for quick and even cooking.
- Work in batches. Make sure to spread the cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket leaving some space between each other. Cook in batches if needed.
- Shake the basket halfway: It's important to shake the basket halfway through to allow the cauliflower florets to be cooked evenly.
- Serve them right away: These crispy roasted cauliflower get soft as they sit and cool.
- No need to boil the cauliflower before air frying.
- The exact cooking time will vary based on the air fryer being used.
Seasoning Variations
- Indian Roasted Cauliflower: Toss cauliflower with 1 tablespoon oil, ½ teaspoon coriander powder, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ¼ teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon cayenne/red chili powder, ½ teaspoon chaat masala, ¼ teaspoon salt. Alternately, use 1 tablespoon of curry powder instead.
- Mexican Roasted Cauliflower: Toss cauliflower with 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning.
- Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower: Use 1 tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Italian Roasted Cauliflower: Use 1 tablespoon oil, 2-3 tablespoons of parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon of lemon zest, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes and 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Italian parsley for garnish.
Nutrition
★ Like this recipe? FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Youtube for more quick & easy recipes.
Surya
Omggg this was awesome!!
Bhavana Patil
Thank you Surya:)
sandra
what is your dipping sauce?!
Thank you for the recipe:0)
Bhavana Patil
Hey Sandra, I made dipping sauce using mayo and sriracha, hope this helps.
SK
I like it.
Bhavana Patil
Thank you Sk, More air fryer recipes are coming, don't forget to check it out.