Air-Fried Cauliflower: A Quick, Healthy Crunch

Air fryers are a great way to make cauliflower. The vegetable is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a medley of dishes, as a meat substitute, or roasted as a side dish. Roasting cauliflower in an air fryer gives it a fried crisp taste and texture without actually frying it in oil. It is also a healthier option, as it uses just a fraction of the oil that you would normally use.

How to cut cauliflower

To make cauliflower in an air fryer, you'll first need to cut the vegetable into small to medium-sized florets. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cut cauliflower:

Start by removing any coarse leaves from the base of the head. You can also remove the green outer leaves with a sharp knife.

Next, use a sharp knife to cut the cauliflower in half vertically. You can then remove the core by holding the knife at an angle.

Finally, break the florets apart with your hands. Aim for small to medium-sized florets to ensure even cooking. You can also use the tip of the knife to separate the florets if needed.

Now that you have your cauliflower florets, you can season and cook them in your air fryer!

How to season cauliflower

Seasoning cauliflower is a simple process that can be done in a few different ways, depending on your preferred cooking method. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to season cauliflower, specifically for air frying:

Preparing the Cauliflower:

• Start by removing any coarse leaves from the base of the cauliflower head.
• Use a sharp knife to cut the cauliflower in half vertically.
• Remove the core by holding the knife at an angle, or break the florets apart with your hands. Aim for small to medium-sized florets to ensure even cooking.
• Place the florets in a bowl to make seasoning easier.

Choosing Your Seasonings:

You can choose a variety of seasonings to create different flavour profiles for your cauliflower. Here are some popular options:

• Olive oil: Drizzling olive oil over the florets will help the seasonings stick and promote crispness during cooking.
• Spices: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt are commonly used to add a savoury, smoky flavour.
• Breadcrumbs: Coating the florets in breadcrumbs before air frying will give them an extra crispy texture.
• Egg: Beating an egg and dipping the florets in it before coating them in seasonings will help the crispy coating stick.
• Lemon juice: A squeeze of lemon juice adds a tangy flavour to the cauliflower.
• Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the cauliflower during the last few minutes of cooking for a cheesy twist.

Seasoning and Cooking:

• After choosing your preferred seasonings, drizzle the olive oil over the florets and toss them to ensure an even coating.
• Add your chosen seasonings and toss again to ensure the florets are well coated.
• Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 370-400°F (190-200°C).
• Place the seasoned florets into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Air fry the cauliflower for 9-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. The timing will depend on your air fryer and the desired level of crispness.
• For an extra flavour boost, serve with a dipping sauce such as tartar sauce, chipotle sauce, or vegan ranch.

How to air fry cauliflower

Air-fried cauliflower is a tasty, healthy, and quick side dish or snack. Here is a simple recipe to make it.

Ingredients

• 1 small head of cauliflower
• 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil (or avocado oil)
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 1 clove of garlic (optional)
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

• Cut the cauliflower into small or medium-sized florets. The size of the florets will impact the cooking time and level of crispiness, so cut them smaller if you prefer crispier cauliflower.
• Place the florets in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
• Add your choice of seasonings to the bowl. You can stick to the basic salt and pepper, or try a blend of spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, or even turmeric.
• Toss the florets well to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasoning.
• Preheat your air fryer to between 370°F and 400°F.
• Place the cauliflower florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Air fry for 9 to 15 minutes, tossing or shaking the basket every 3 to 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• The cauliflower is ready when it is golden brown and crispy.

Tips

• Don't skip the olive oil! It helps the cauliflower get crispy and brown.
• Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This will help the cauliflower cook evenly and get crispy.
• You can add extra ingredients like grated parmesan cheese or minced garlic halfway through cooking.
• For a zesty kick, serve with a slice of lemon or a dipping sauce like tartar sauce, chipotle sauce, or vegan ranch.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy air-fried cauliflower!

How to store and reheat cauliflower

Storing cauliflower

Whether you're storing raw or cooked cauliflower, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, cauliflower is a pretty tough vegetable and can last about 7 to 10 days in the fridge if stored correctly. It's best to store it in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. If storing a whole head of cauliflower, you can keep it intact, but this will take up more space. Alternatively, you can cut it into florets, which is more convenient but will reduce its shelf life. Either way, make sure the cauliflower is dry before storing it, as moisture can cause it to spoil faster.

Storing cooked cauliflower

Cooked cauliflower will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Be warned, though – it might get a little stinky!

Storing cauliflower in the freezer

If you have too much cauliflower on your hands, you can freeze it, but it's best to blanch it first to preserve its flavour, colour and texture. Then, shock it in cold water, drain it, and place it in airtight freezer bags. Frozen cauliflower can be kept for about a year.

Reviving limp cauliflower

If your cauliflower has gone a bit rubbery, try immersing it in cold water for about 30 minutes to help revive it. You could also briefly steam it, add it to cooked dishes, blend it into a sauce, or use it in a recipe such as a casserole or patties.

Reheating cauliflower

There are several ways to reheat cauliflower, including in the microwave, oven, frying pan, griddle or cast-iron skillet. One suggestion is to reheat it in a cast-iron skillet with a little olive oil or butter, and add a bit more salt and some extra seasonings to taste.

What to serve with air fryer cauliflower

Air-fried cauliflower is a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some ideas on what to serve with air fryer cauliflower:

Veggie Burgers or Sandwiches

Air fryer cauliflower can be a delicious addition to veggie burgers or sandwiches. It adds a crispy and tasty element to the meal. You can pair it with an Easy Black Bean Burger, a Portobello Mushroom Burger, or BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches.

Dipping Sauces

The crispy texture of air fryer cauliflower makes it perfect for dipping. You can serve it with tartar sauce, chipotle sauce, vegan ranch dressing, or any other dipping sauce of your choice.

Grain Bowls or Pasta

Air fryer cauliflower can be a tasty topping for grain bowls or pasta dishes. It adds texture and flavour to the meal. You can also pair it with al dente pasta and olive oil for a simple yet delicious combination.

Salads

Cauliflower is a great addition to salads, especially when it's air-fried. It adds a nice crunchy texture to the salad. You can add it to Buddha bowls or any other type of salad you prefer.

Proteins

Air fryer cauliflower is a versatile side dish that pairs well with any type of protein. You can serve it alongside meat, fish, or plant-based proteins to create a well-rounded meal.

Soups

Air fryer cauliflower can also be added to soups to give them a crunchy element. It goes particularly well with curried cauliflower soup, but you can experiment with other soup varieties as well.

Frequently asked questions