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My homemade air fryer teriyaki tempura cauliflower bites are so deliciously crispy. My simple recipe uses a baked tempura method and is not deep-fried. No air fryer? No problem! I’m also sharing stovetop methods in the post.
Crispy, crunchy, and topped with an amazing sauce, these tempura cauliflower bites will become your new favorite snack!
Even better, we’re making them in the air fryer, with less than 2 tsp of olive oil. <—not a typo!
You can use any bottled sauce that you’d like for this tempura cauliflower. If you’re looking for a DIY option, check out our homemade gluten-free teriyaki sauce.
Tempura batter typically does not work well in an air fryer. BUT, we cracked the code on how to make it work. Once you dip the cauliflower in the tempura batter, you’ll lightly coat it in panko breadcrumbs.
The panko helps keep the tempura batter in place so you can air fry to your heart’s content. And yes, this will work with other veggies!
Sarah’s Cheat Codes
- You’re going to want to keep the tempura batter as chilled as possible. With lots of testing, I have learned that you can refrigerate it for up to 30 minutes, but it won’t keep well much longer than that.
- Speed is your sous chef in this recipe! You’re going to want to work quickly in batches of 4-7 pieces of cauliflower at a time. Have everything prepped and ready to go before you start.
Tempura Cauliflower in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
Tempura Batter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 3/4 cup ice water
Cauliflower Bites
- 4 cups cauliflower {cut into florets}
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1.5 cup panko
- olive oil spray
- 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
Instructions
Make the Air Fryer Tempura Batter
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk all-purpose flour and cornstarch.1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch
- Slowly pour in ice water, gently whisking to combine. Do not overmix – a few lumps are fine.3/4 cup ice water
Making Cauliflower Tempura
- Add panko to a small mixing bowl. Set aside.1.5 cup panko
- Cut cauliflower into bite-sized florets.4 cups cauliflower
- In a medium mixing bowl combine 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp garlic powder.1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Toss cauliflower in the flour mixture, doing your best to coat all florets evenly.
- Working in batches, drop 4-7 florets at a time in the tempura batter.
- Using a fork, chopstick, or skewer, pierce a piece of cauilflower and dredge it through the tempura batter.
- Shake off excess batter and transfer cauliflower to the bowl with panko. Repeat with other florets in this batch.
- Gently toss cauliflower in the panko bowl until tempura batter is lightly coated. Transfer to a plate.
- Repeat above process with remaining cauliflower.
- Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes at 400˚F.
- Heavily spray breaded cauliflower with olive oil cooking spray.olive oil spray
- Transfer cauliflower to air fryer and cook at 400˚F for 6 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes if needed.
- Transfer crispy cauliflower to a bowl and drizzle with teriyaki sauce.1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
Notes
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook all 4 cups of cauliflower in multiple batches.
- Keep tempura batter cold before using.
- If you are using the stovetop, you do not need to dip the cauliflower in the panko after dredging it in the tempura batter.
- Heat ~2 inches of cooking oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Drop a small pinch of flour in the oil; if it sizzles, the oil is ready.
- Working in batches, carefully add tempura cauliflower to the oil and cook for 2-3 minutes until the cauliflower is golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cauliflower and place it on a plate lined with paper towels.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Didn’t work in the airfryer. Need to cook longer,Pandora breadcrumbs we’re to dry. I pt it in the oven in the end with salt pepper and olive oil and was good. Will try again without the panko or possibly ordinary bread crumbs
Sorry to hear this wasn’t a hit for you, Penny. If you’re saying it was too dry, I’d recommend increasing how much olive oil you used in step 11 (copy and and pasted below). Mine are extremely crispy and I believe that is because I have a heavy hand with the olive oil spray. Also, don’t skip the step of letting the oil sit on the breading before air frying. That helps it absorb the oil and leads to a crispier coating.
11. Heavily spray breaded cauliflower with olive oil cooking spray. Allow everything to sit for 1 minute.
Can I make these ahead of time and warm in air fryer?
I have reheated them and while they’re still tasty, I don’t think they’re as crispy.
If you want to reheat them, I wouldn’t sauce them until after you warm them.
I can’t wait to try these!! They look SO good! Also, how have I never heard the term ghost broccoli?! Love it
Ghost broccoli makes me giggle every time I say it. 🙂