Air Frying Frozen Cauliflower: A Quick, Healthy Treat?

Yes, you can cook frozen cauliflower in an air fryer. In fact, it's a great way to cook frozen vegetables, as it gives them a delicious crunchy texture without the sogginess that can sometimes occur when cooking from frozen. It's also a quick and easy way to cook veggies, with very little prep time and no need to defrost first. Simply coat your cauliflower in a little olive oil and your choice of seasonings, then cook in the air fryer for around 10–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Air fryer frozen cauliflower recipe

Ingredients:

• Frozen cauliflower florets
• Olive oil (or olive oil spray)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder (optional)
• Cayenne (optional)
• Smoked paprika (optional)
• Turmeric (optional)
• Gochugaru Korean red pepper flakes (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer according to its default settings.
• Place the frozen cauliflower florets into a large mixing bowl.
• Add your chosen oil and seasonings to the bowl.
• Toss the bowl contents together until the florets are fully coated.
• Place the florets into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are spread out evenly with no overcrowding.
• Air fry at 400°F (204°C) for 8 minutes, then shake the basket.
• Air fry for a further 6-10 minutes, until the cauliflower is golden brown and crispy.
• Serve immediately.

Tips:

• You can cook the florets directly from frozen—there's no need to defrost them first.
• For extra crispy cauliflower, coat the florets with starch or flour before air frying.
• You can also cook frozen broccoli in the same way as frozen cauliflower.
• For a tasty variation, sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese, or try a cheese sauce or hummus for dipping.

How to air fry frozen cauliflower

Air-frying frozen cauliflower is a quick and easy way to cook a tasty, healthy side dish with minimal prep. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

Ingredients

You will need the following:

• Frozen cauliflower florets
• Olive oil or olive oil spray
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. paprika, onion powder, cayenne, turmeric, nutmeg, mustard powder, oregano, chili powder, or cumin powder)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer according to its default settings.
• Place the frozen cauliflower florets into a large mixing bowl. If there are any particularly large chunks, try to break them up.
• Add your chosen seasonings to the bowl, along with the olive oil, and mix well. Ensure each floret is fully coated.
• Place the seasoned cauliflower into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Try not to overcrowd the basket as this may affect the crispiness of the cauliflower.
• Air fry at 400°F (204°C) for 8-10 minutes.
• Shake the basket and cook for a further 5-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness.
• Serve immediately.

Tips

• You can cook the cauliflower straight from frozen – do not defrost it first.
• For extra crispy cauliflower, coat the florets with starch or flour before cooking.
• You can experiment with different seasonings to find your favourite flavour combinations.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook the cauliflower in the oven instead. Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F and roast the cauliflower for 15-25 minutes, turning halfway through.

Can you put frozen vegetables in an air fryer?

Yes, you can put frozen vegetables in an air fryer! In fact, it's a recommended cooking method for frozen veggies, as it helps to achieve a better texture—nice and crispy.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cook frozen vegetables in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 204°C). This temperature range is ideal for getting your veggies crispy.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

Take your favorite frozen vegetables—cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, green beans, or a mixed bag—and place them in a bowl. Drizzle or spray a small amount of oil over them (olive oil or avocado oil are great choices). Then, add your choice of seasonings. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and nutritional yeast are all popular options, but feel free to get creative! Mix well to ensure even coating.

Step 3: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the seasoned vegetables into the air fryer basket. Try to keep them in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding, as this can lead to steaming instead of crisping. It's okay to have a little overlap, but make sure there's enough room for the hot air to circulate and cook the veggies evenly.

Step 4: Air Fry

Air fry your vegetables for about 10-15 minutes at the chosen temperature setting. Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket or use tongs/a spatula to toss/flip the vegetables. This ensures even cooking and helps achieve that desired crispy texture.

Step 5: Serve

Once your vegetables are nicely browned and crispy, carefully remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Some additional tips:

• No need to thaw frozen vegetables before air frying. Cooking them straight from frozen helps them crisp up nicely.
• Avoid using a liner or parchment paper at the bottom of the air fryer, as this can lead to sogginess.
• If you're cooking larger vegetables, like whole Brussels sprouts, you may need to increase the cooking time to around 20 minutes.
• Experiment with different seasonings and blends to find your favorite flavors!

So, go ahead and give it a try—it's a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare vegetables, and you might just find yourself reaching for that bag of frozen veggies more often!

Should I thaw frozen cauliflower before cooking?

No, you should not thaw frozen cauliflower before cooking it in an air fryer. In fact, it is recommended to cook frozen vegetables straight from the freezer. This is because frozen vegetables caramelize beautifully in the air fryer, and thawing them beforehand can make them soggy.

To cook frozen cauliflower in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer according to its default settings. Then, add your frozen cauliflower to a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add your desired seasonings and mix well, ensuring each floret is fully coated. Place the seasoned cauliflower into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring the basket is not overcrowded. Air fry at 400°F (204°C) for 8-10 minutes, shake the basket, and then air fry for an additional 5-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness.

How long does frozen cauliflower take to cook?

Frozen cauliflower can be cooked in an air fryer in about 15 minutes. However, the exact cooking time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer, the size of the cauliflower florets, and the amount you are cooking. For example, larger florets may require a longer cooking time, while smaller florets may cook faster.

• Preheat your air fryer according to the default settings or to a temperature of 400°F (204°C).
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the frozen cauliflower florets with olive oil or olive oil spray and your desired seasonings. You can use spices such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or turmeric.
• Place the seasoned cauliflower in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring that the florets are not overcrowded.
• Air fry the cauliflower for 10 minutes. Then, stir, shake the basket, or flip the florets to ensure even cooking.
• Continue air frying for an additional 5 to 15 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. The total cook time should be between 15 to 25 minutes.
• Serve the cauliflower immediately for the best texture and taste.

Note: It is recommended to cook frozen cauliflower directly from frozen without thawing or defrosting it first. This helps achieve the best texture and prevents sogginess.

Frequently asked questions