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My air fryer cauliflower recipe yields crispy, golden, and tender florets in just 12 minutes. It’s perfect for a side dish, salad topper, bowls, and more.
If you love vegetable air fryer recipes, try my air fryer zucchini, air fryer brussels sprouts, air fryer carrots, and air fryer eggplant next.
Table of Contents
Air frying cauliflower is, hands down, the best way to cook them. You get the oven-roasted or fried texture without needing excess oil and skip the lengthy baking time. This crispy air-fried cauliflower recipe is one of my absolute favorites and is a staple in my home. It seriously tastes too good.
Why I love this recipe
- Perfect texture and flavor. Air-frying foods are the perfect cheat for deep-frying. This dish delivers the crispy, caramelized texture and the comforting taste of fried cauliflower.
- Quick and speedy. Because it cooks in just 12 minutes, it’s perfect when I need a veggie to round out a meal.
- It’s versatile. The cauliflower is simply seasoned, so it pairs well with almost anything. I actually love it as a veggie snack.
- Healthy. Like air fryer buffalo cauliflower, I use only a touch of oil for maximum crispiness. Cauliflower is packed with fiber, vitamins, and protein and has very little fat.
Key Ingredients
- Cauliflower. Pick a clean, firm cauliflower head and cut it into bite-size florets. The easiest way is to make quarters and separate florets from the stem. You can also use two smaller heads of cauliflower.
- Salt and pepper. To taste.
- Olive oil. I recommend using some fat to give the edges those crispy textures without being dry. Olive oil is my go-to, but other cooking oils like avocado oil or vegetable oil will also work.
- Cumin. One of my absolute favorite spices to work with and one that lends itself SO well to cauliflower. Choose ground cumin over the seeds.
- Smoked paprika. For a subtle hint of smokiness. Other spices work, too, including basil, Italian seasoning, and chili powder.
How to air fry cauliflower
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. Wash, clean, and pat dry the cauliflower florets. Toss them in a large bowl with the seasonings and oil.
Step 2- Air fry. Lay the seasoned florets in a single layer in the cooking basket and air-fry them for 12 minutes.
Step 3- Garnish and serve. Remove the air-fried cauliflower from the basket once you get the crispy brown edges.
What to serve with this
Cauliflower, in any shape or form, goes well with pretty much anything! In our household, it’s a popular side dish to simple protein! This includes crispy baked chicken thighs or pan-seared salmon.
My Ninja DZ201 Dual Air Fryer has two air fryer baskets, so I like to cook air fryer proteins in it as the cauliflower cooks for a quick and easy dinner. Some popular options include air fryer chicken breast, air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer salmon, and air fryer tilapia.
Other air fryer veggies you can cook at the same time include air fryer broccoli or air fryer corn on the cob.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Cook the cauliflower in a single layer so it cooks evenly and completely. If needed, cook them in batches.
- Pat dry the cauliflower. Before seasoning them, please. This will yield even crispier cauliflower.
- Shake the air fryer several times throughout for even cooking on all sides.
Storage instructions
To store. Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
To freeze. Freeze the air-fried cauliflower florets in a freezer-safe container/bag for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat. The best way to reheat the cauliflower would be to use an air-fryer to retain the texture.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. I tested this recipe using frozen cauliflower, and it works well. The only thing I suggest is seasoning and cooking the cauliflower from frozen (no thawing) so it becomes crispy and not mushy.
The easiest way to tell if cauliflower is cooked is to piece the stalk with a fork. If it pierces easily, the cauliflower is cooked and ready to eat. I also suggest checking the cauliflower at the 10-minute mark.
More delicious ways to cook cauliflower
- Cauliflower casserole
- Curried cauliflower
- Cauliflower mashed potatoes
- Cauliflower steak
- Buffalo cauliflower bites
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Video
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F. Grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Wash and clean the cauliflower and pat dry. Add it to a mixing bowl, then toss through the olive oil, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and cumin.
- Add a single layer of cauliflower to the air fryer basket. Air fry for 12 minutes, shaking the basket several times throughout.
- Remove the cauliflower from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Notes
- Make a panko-parmesan coating. For a cauliflower popcorn variation, coat the florets with an egg wash, then roll them in the seasoned panko breadcrumbs and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Follow the steps in the recipe for air-frying and enjoy this filling appetizer.
- Glaze with a sauce. Once you have air fried the cauliflower, finish it with a glaze or a flavorful sauce (Family favorites include katsu sauce, bulgogi sauce, or hot honey sauce!).
- Change up the seasonings. Toss through some Italian seasoning, add curry powder, onion powder, garlic powder, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
Originally published May 2023, updated and republished February 2025
It is really good. I prepared yesterday and nice salad.
I actually never thought caulflower can be made in air fryers. I was only cooking it so far.
Anxious to try, looking forward to eating s soo as I get it cooked 😁
So good! Definitely trying again!
I steamed my cauliflower and then used this recipe and threw it into the air fryer. I found they were less burnt this way.
I always thought csulflower is too fragile for air fryer. Apparently not! So really need to give it a shot!
Excited to try this 🙂 I notice cumin was left off the recipe part of the ingredients but mentioned in the narrative. Thanks for all your wonderful recipes.
Ohhh I’ll fix it 🙂
Wow so healthy and interesting dish!
Hi just about to try this is the cauliflower soft inside and not hard from this short cooking time?
Nope 🙂 If you are worried you can chop them into smaller florets 🙂
So good and easy!
Thanks, Jamie!
Sounds delicious and trying it asap!
Please do Karen!
Best air fryer cauliflower recipe EVER!