Air-Frying Cauliflower Cheese: How Long Does It Take?

Cauliflower cheese is a classic British side dish that can be cooked in an air fryer. It's a comforting, creamy, and cheesy dish that's perfect for a roast dinner. To make it, you'll need to cut the cauliflower into florets, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and then cook in the air fryer for 8-12 minutes. While the cauliflower is cooking, you can make the cheese sauce by melting butter and flour in a saucepan. Once the cauliflower is done, you'll transfer it to a baking dish, pour over the cheese sauce, and sprinkle with cheese before returning to the air fryer for another 10-12 minutes.

How to prepare cauliflower cheese for the air fryer

Firstly, cut the cauliflower into florets, rinse clean, drain and pat dry with a kitchen paper towel or leave to air dry, then transfer to a bowl. Drizzle the cauliflower florets with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then toss to combine.

Next, transfer the cauliflower to a preheated air fryer basket and cook at 380F / 190C for 8-10 minutes. While the cauliflower is cooking, prepare the cheese sauce. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and mix until it forms a smooth paste, about 2-3 minutes (to cook the flour taste off).

Once the cauliflower is done cooking in the air fryer, transfer it to a baking dish and pour over the cheese sauce. Toss to ensure all the florets are well coated with the sauce, and sprinkle the reserved cheese on top.

Finally, carefully place the cauliflower in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden on the top. Leave to cool slightly, and then serve with your favourite main dish.

How long to cook cauliflower cheese for

To cook cauliflower cheese in an air fryer, you should first cut the cauliflower into florets, rinse them, and then pat them dry. Next, drizzle the florets with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Transfer the cauliflower to a preheated air fryer basket and cook at 380F/190C for 8-10 minutes. While the cauliflower is cooking, prepare the cheese sauce. To do this, melt butter over medium heat and once melted, add flour and mix until it forms a smooth paste. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Once the cauliflower is done cooking, transfer it to a baking dish and pour over the cheese sauce. Toss to ensure all the florets are well coated with the sauce, and sprinkle the reserved cheese on top. Finally, carefully place the cauliflower back into the air fryer basket and cook for another 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden on top. Leave to cool slightly, and then serve.

One source recommends cooking the cauliflower cheese at 200C for 5-6 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Another suggests cooking at 180C/360F for 10 minutes, or until the top is golden.

The ideal temperature to cook cauliflower cheese at

The ideal temperature to cook cauliflower cheese in an air fryer is between 180-200 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the cauliflower cheese should be cooked for 5-10 minutes.

If you are cooking the cauliflower and the cheese sauce separately, you should cook the cauliflower at 190 degrees Celsius for 8-10 minutes. You can then add the cheese sauce and cook for a further 10-12 minutes.

If you are cooking the cauliflower and cheese sauce together, you should cook at 180 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes or 200 degrees Celsius for 5-6 minutes.

How to make a cheese sauce

To make cauliflower cheese in an air fryer, you'll need to cook the cauliflower florets in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes at 380F/190C. While the cauliflower is cooking, you can make the cheese sauce.

To make the cheese sauce, melt butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat. Once melted, add flour and mix until it forms a smooth paste. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Then, slowly whisk in a cup of milk. Finally, add the cheese a handful at a time and continue to mix until the cheese is melted. You can use freshly grated cheddar, which will melt better and give a stronger flavour than pre-shredded cheese. You can also add salt, pepper and cayenne to taste.

Once the cauliflower is done cooking, transfer it to a baking dish and pour over the cheese sauce. Toss to ensure all the florets are well coated with the sauce, and sprinkle some extra cheese on top. Place the cauliflower in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden on top.

You can also add the cheese sauce to the cauliflower before placing it in the air fryer. Place the cauliflower in an air fryer-friendly container, smoother in the cheese sauce, and finish with some grated cheese on top. Air fry for 10 minutes at 180C/360F or until the top is golden brown.

How to tell when cauliflower cheese is cooked

To tell when cauliflower cheese is cooked, you should look for a golden-brown colour on top. This should take 10-12 minutes in an air fryer at 180C/360F. You can also cook it at 380F/190C for 8-10 minutes, or 200C for 5-6 minutes.

To make cauliflower cheese in an air fryer, first cut the cauliflower into florets, rinse clean, drain and pat dry with a kitchen paper towel or leave to air dry, then transfer to a bowl. Drizzle the cauliflower florets with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then toss to combine. Transfer to a preheated air fryer basket. While the cauliflower is cooking, prepare the cheese sauce. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and mix until it forms a smooth paste, about 2-3 minutes (to cook the flour taste off). Once the cauliflower is done cooking in the air fryer, transfer it to a baking dish and pour over the cheese sauce. Toss to ensure all the florets are well coated with the sauce, and sprinkle the reserved cheese on top. Carefully place the cauliflower in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden on the top. Leave to cool slightly, and then serve with your favourite main dish.

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