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Home » Cooking Methods » Air Fryer » 15-Minute Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower

15-Minute Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower

By Taesha Butler May 30, 2022 (Updated August 12, 2022) 1 Comment

Servings4 servings
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time12 mins
Jump to Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Simple and delicious, this Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower is the perfect easy veggie side!  Perfectly seasoned with simple ingredients and cooking up in under 15 minutes, you’ll find yourself eating this cauliflower right out of the air fryer basket!

Your air fryer is about to transform how you eat veggies!

Let’s start with this Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower. Not only does it cook up fast (12-15 minutes), but every piece is perfectly tender. The simple seasoning of salt, oil and garlic powder brings out the best in the cauliflower flavor. The cornstarch used in the seasoning blend helps the ends of the florets to crisp up perfectly and helps the drizzled sauce stick to the cauliflower better.

This recipe is perfect for an air fryer newbie and is vegan, plant based, gluten free, and vegetarian. It can easily be made Paleo and Whole30 friendly when you swap arrowroot for the cornstarch. Whatever you fill the rest of your dinner plate with, this air fryer cauliflower will always be a welcomed addition!

Cauliflower florets in a bowl with a hand pouring a tablespoon of oil over it.
Seasoning mix for air fryer cauliflower in a bowl before mixing.
Seasoning mix for air fryer cauliflower being poured over the florets.

What you’ll need for this recipe

  • Cauliflower – Cut into bite sized florets. Fresh works best for achieving the crispy cauliflower you are looking for.
  • Oil – Avocado or olive oil
  • Cornstarch– Optional but helps the ends to crisp up and great for helping any sauce you drizzle over this air fryer cauliflower to stick better.
  • Salt  – use as much (or as little) as you prefer to use in you cooking
  • Garlic powder– again, optional….but doesn’t garlic make every veggie better?
  • An air fryer– This is one I use and love.

Make this Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower…

…by simple tossing the end product with your favorite buffalo sauce. Or use this quick recipe:

  • 1/2 cup buffalo-style hot sauce (such as Frank’s)
  • 2 tablespoons butter, vegan butter, or coconut oil, melted

Mix together and drizzle over cooked air fryer cauliflower and toss to coat.

Air fryer cauliflower in the air fryer basket after cooking.

Other veggie Air Fryer recipes you want in your life and your belly

  • 5-Minute Air Fryer Asparagus
  • Carrot Fries (Oven or Air Fryer)
  • Cauliflower Tots (Baked or Air Fryer)
  • Air Fryer Green Beans
  • Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Loving this air fryer recipe and are hungry for more?

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Air fryer cauliflower in a bowl on a table with a metal spoon.
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

15-Minute Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower

Simple and delicious, this Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower is the perfect easy veggie side!  Perfectly seasoned with simple ingredients and cooking up in under 15 minutes, you'll find yourself eating this cauliflower right out of the air fryer basket!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time12 mins
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: air fryer, cauliflower
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 116kcal
Author: Taesha Butler

Ingredients 

  • 1 medium head of cauliflower about 1½ pounds
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot starch
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • Cut the cauliflower into small, bite sized florets. Add to a medium bowl and toss with the oil to coat.
  • In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Sprinkle over the florets, then toss to coat.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 390℉ for 3 minutes. Once hot, add cauliflower and cook for 12 to 14 minutes, shaking the basket at the 3 minute mark and again at 6 minutes and 9 minutes.
    TIP: If you are using an air fryer with a smaller basket (like me), consider cooking in two batches for perfect crispness.
    Note: Every air fryer is a bit different, so keep an eye on your florets to make sure they don't burn. Also, don't skip on shaking the basket to help rotate the florets during the cooking process.
  • Once florets are crispy and browned, enjoy right away.

Nutrition

Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 480mg | Potassium: 439mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin C: 69mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and may vary based on the product type, servings and other factors. If you are following a diet, please consult with a professional nutritionist or your doctor. Stay healthy!

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Filed Under: Air Fryer, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Grain Free, Nut-Free, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged With: cauliflower

Previous Post: « Easy Corn Salsa (Chipotle Copycat)
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    Did you make this recipe? So good, right? It would mean the world to me if you left a comment and star rating so that more people can see how delicious veggie-loading can be. Plus, it helps me to see what recipes you are all loving so I can make more like them.

    Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback.

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    Comments

  1. Rachel

    May 30, 2022 at 11:59 pm

    5 stars
    Definitely my new favorite way to make cauliflower. And, like you said, perfect for hot summer nights.

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Taesha! I help busy people fall in love with healthy eating with my simple, family-friendly, veggie-loaded recipes. I believe vegetables can and SHOULD be delicious. Here, let me show you how!

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