You'll love this easy air fried cauliflower recipe with its smoky roasted garlic flavor - made in less than 20 min. with only 6 ingredients! A super easy vegetable side dish! Did I mention that it is also keto, low-carb, low-calorie, and vegan? Perfect!
You'll Love Cauliflower in Air Fryer
"Perfectly seasoned roasted air fried cauliflower made with only 6 ingredients, 5 minutes of prep, and less than 12 minutes in the air fryer. What's not to love?"
Read How To Cook Cauliflower for more simple, yet delicious, ways to make cauliflower. Make air fryer broccoli and cauliflower or try this air fried frozen cauliflower. If you want something totally unique give this buffalo cauliflower a try!
Perfectly Seasoned
Cauliflower by itself is delicious, so you don't need a ton of seasoning to make it complete. Just add a little bit of smoky paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and adjust more as needed!
Very Quick!
Cooking cauliflower in the air fryer is really the fasted way to get perfectly roasted and crispy cauliflower. When compared to roasting in the oven or instant pot, you'll cut your time in at least half!
Healthy
This air fryer cauliflower recipe is keto, gluten-free, low-calorie, vegan, vegetarian, Whole30, and paleo! Cauliflower is a great way to stay on track with your diet and feel satisfied. Check out the how-to-serve section below for meal ideas!
Ingredients for Air Fried Cauliflower
Head Cauliflower - use a fresh head of cauliflower or use prepared cauliflower florets.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil - you can substitute with your preferred oil.
Smoked Paprika - lends a wonderful smoky taste. This is one of the spices I use the most!
Garlic Powder - good 'ole garlic powder, it's a pantry staple!
Kosher Salt - you can also use sea salt or table salt but you will need to adjust the seasoning to taste.
Ground Black Pepper
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
How to Make Air Fryer Cauliflower
Prep the Cauliflower
Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, toss cauliflower with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Ensure that all the cauliflower is evenly coated.
Air Fry
Place cauliflower in the greased fryer basket and air fry for 12 to 15 minutes or until desired tenderness is reached, turning the cauliflower halfway.
How to Serve Air Fried Cauliflower
This cauliflower is best served immediately when hot.
Garnish with fresh parsley, grated parmesan cheese, sliced green onion, or chives - you can even squeeze a little lemon juice over the top.
Serve with a dipping sauce such as Big Mac Sauce or Sugar Free Sweet Chili Sauce - drizzle it over or dip it.
Meal idea! Serve as a side to Air Fryer Pork Chops (from frozen!) and a Blue Cheese Wedge Salad. Yum!
Air Fry Cauliflower Variations
Here are a few ways you can vary or make substitutions to this recipe:
- Add any additional vegetables to the air fryer, just cook in a single layer and adjust time as needed some vegetables take longer than others!
- Substitute and adjust any seasoning blend to your air fryer cauliflower.
- Add cayenne, chipotle powder, or crushed red pepper flakes to add a little spice! You could also drizzle with a spicy sauce.
Cauliflower Air Fry Recipe Top Tips
- Make sure not to overcrowd your pan with the cauliflower so it can crisp and brown from all sides. Too many pieces will add extra moisture to the cooking process creating steamed cauliflower.
- Preheat your air-fryer before cooking. This will allow for even cooking and crispness for your cauliflower.
- Keep an eye on your cauliflower as it cooks. Dependent on the size of your pieces, they may cook faster or take a bit longer in the air-fryer.
- Adjust your cooking time in the air fryer to what your doneness preference is.
How to Store Air Fried Cauliflower
Cool your cauliflower first, then cover it in an air-tight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How to Reheat this Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe
Reheat your cauliflower in the air fryer on 360 degrees for 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through.
How to Freeze Air Fried Cauliflower
Always cool your leftovers first before placing them into an air-tight container to freeze. These leftovers can stay frozen for up to 2 months.
Air Fry Cauliflower Recipe FAQs
Yes, cauliflower is still high in both Vitamin B and Vitamin C. Both of these vitamins aid in the protection of nerves and the prevention of heart disease, coughs, and the common cold. Vitamin B also helps produce more red blood cells in the body!
Yes, you certainly can. Just add your favorite seasonings and air fry 380 degrees F for 8 to 12 minutes, until cooked to desired temperature (depending upon your air fryer).
Quarter the cauliflower and cut down on the inside of the cores to the base. Using your hands, pull each quarter of cauliflower apart into bite-size pieces.
Cut your cauliflower into bite-size pieces and toss in a bowl with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Using an air-fryer allows your cauliflower to roast from all sides with convection heat making it crispy and delicious!
✔️ More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
More simple and tasty air fryer vegetable recipes:
- Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe
- Frozen Broccoli in Air Fryer Recipe
- Crispy Brussel Sprouts in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Green Beans Recipe
- Air Fryer Cabbage
- Asparagus in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes
More Delicious Recipes
- Best Recipe for Cauliflower Steaks
- Asian-Style Roasted Orange Cauliflower Recipe
- Roasted Cauliflower and Mushrooms Recipe
📖 The recipe.
Air Fry Cauliflower Recipe
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower (cut into 1½" florets)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F
- In a medium bowl toss cauliflower with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Place cauliflower in greased frying basket and air fry for 12 to 15 or until desired tenderness is reached, turning the cauliflower half way.
Kori's Tips
- Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
- VARIATIONS: Substitute any favorite spice combination; adjust salt and pepper as needed. Use regular paprika in place of smoked.
- TOP TIPS: Adjust time and cooking temperature if needed, not all air fryers are the same.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Garnish with fresh parsley, chives, parmesan cheese, or a squeeze of lemon juice.
Nutrition
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