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Light, delicious, and crispy, Air Fryer Cauliflower is the perfect side for fast meals. You’ll love that cauliflower in the air fryer is simple, vegan, vegetarian, and packed with flavor! 

a grey bowl of air fryer cauliflower topped with chopped parsley on a grey board.
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I’m a sucker for a roasted veggie, especially ones I turned my nose up at as a kid.

Ready in only 15 minutes thanks to the magic of the air fryer, this roasted cauliflower is perfect, crispy, and like heaven at the end of the fork.

INGREDIENTS

You’ll find the exact measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. This recipe is rocking:

a white bowl with chopped cauliflower, and four bowls of spices on a grey board.

HOW TO COOK AIR FRYER Cauliflower

*You’ll find a detailed and printable recipe card at the bottom of this post

Cut the cauliflower to the desired size. Combine cauliflower, dust with cornstarch or potato starch and garlic powder, then, olive oil in a mixing bowl (this is the bowl I use at least daily!), tossing to coat.

3 photos showing the process of making cauliflower in the air fryer

This is one of those recipes where I do recommend you preheat your air fryer. It helps the cauliflower start cooking immediately, resulting in that perfect crispy exterior.

Cook for 8 minutes and then shake the basket to mix the cauliflower around. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until they have reached your desired level of crispy. Salt and pepper to taste.

Variations

Use your favorite seasonings or drizzle the finished air-fried cauliflower with a flavor-packed sauce like cilantro chimichurri, chipotle sauce, or gluten-free cheese sauce.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

  • Do not add salt to the cauliflower until it is done cooking in the air fryer. Pre-salting the veg will cause it to release excess moisture, resulting in mushy veggies.
  • If you’d like the cauliflower to cook faster, cut the florets pretty small. Still check after 8 minutes of cooking.
  • If you increase the amount of oil used, drain cauliflower on a plate lined with paper towels for 2-3 minutes.
  • No air fryer? Bake on a sheet pan in an oven preheated to 425˚F degrees. Roast for 18 minutes, stir and roast until it has reached your desired level of crispiness (usually 5-15 minutes longer).
roasted cauliflower on a grey plate with fork.
5 from 1 rating

Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe

Servings: 5
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
a grey bowl of air fryer cauliflower topped with chopped parsley on a grey board.
Light, delicious, and crispy, air fryer cauliflower is the perfect side for fast meals. You’ll love that cauliflower in the air fryer is simple, vegan, vegetarian, and packed with flavor! 

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Preheat air fryer to 370˚F.
  • Cut cauliflower into uniform pieces.
    4 cups cauliflower
  • If using cornstarch, toss with the florets and garlic powder in a deep mixing bowl.
    1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Drizzle in the olive oil and stir to coat.
    2 tsp olive oil
  • Brush the inside of the air fryer with olive oil and add the cauliflower.
  • Cook at 370˚F for 8 minutes, shake the basket, and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes depending on your desired level of "crisp".
  • Sprinkle roasted cauliflower with fresh parsley, kosher salt, and your seasonings or sauce of choice.
    salt & pepper to taste

Notes

  1. Do not add salt to the cauliflower until it is done cooking in the air fryer. Pre-salting the veg will cause it to release excess moisture, resulting in mushy veggies.
  2. If you’d like the cauliflower to cook faster, cut the florets pretty small. Still check after 8 minutes of cooking.

Oven-Roasting Instructions
  1. Bake on a sheet pan in an oven preheated to 425˚F degrees.
  2. Roast for 18 minutes, stir and roast until it has reached your desired level of crispiness (usually 5-15 minutes longer).

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 42kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 25mgPotassium: 246mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin C: 39mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @sustainablecooks or tag #sustainablecooks!

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About Sarah Cook

I'm here to help you make easy, seasonal, and no-fuss recipes for yourself and your family.

Whether it's a quick one-pot dinner or if I am teaching you how to can and preserve local produce, you can consider me your elder millennial grandma

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5 from 1 vote

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2 Comments

    1. I’m proud of you for trying new recipes, Lisa! I know cooking is not your thing and new recipes extend you past your comfort zone. Nice work, lady!