Tillie Doyle
Air fryer cauliflower cheese is a quick, easy, and tasty dish that can be prepared in just 15-20 minutes. It is a perfect vegetarian side dish, loaded with flavour and nutrients, and goes well with a variety of foods. The recipe involves cooking cauliflower florets in an air fryer, making a cheese sauce, and then combining the two. The dish can also be made ahead of time and reheated, making it a convenient option for meal prep.
How to cook cauliflower cheese in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cauliflower, Cheese (cheddar, Red Leicester, or a combination), Olive oil, Salt, Pepper, Butter, Flour, Milk, Cream, Dijon Mustard, Nutmeg, Italian seasoning, and Garlic powder |
| Preparation | Cut cauliflower into florets, rinse, drain, and pat dry. Place in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a preheated air fryer basket and cook at 380F/190C for 8-10 minutes. |
| Cheese Sauce | Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add flour and mix until a smooth paste forms. Gradually add milk and cream, whisking constantly. Stir in mustard and nutmeg. Remove from heat and add cheese, stirring until melted. |
| Assembly | Transfer cooked cauliflower to a baking dish, pour cheese sauce over, and sprinkle with additional cheese. Carefully place in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes at 360F/180C-200C until the cheese is bubbly and golden. |
| Serving | Leave to cool slightly before serving. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer or microwave. |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the cauliflower
To begin, cut the cauliflower into florets. You can either cut the head into large florets or slice the head in half and then into large florets before cutting them into smaller florets, if needed. The size of the florets can vary according to your preference. Once cut, rinse the cauliflower florets and place them into a large bowl or pan of salted cold water. Bring the water to a boil and cook the florets for around 4-6 minutes. If you prefer softer cauliflower, you can simmer it for a longer period. Alternatively, you can boil the entire head, keeping the stalk out of the water, and then cut the florets after cooking. This method may be easier for removing the florets.
After boiling, drain the cauliflower thoroughly and let it steam for a couple of minutes. Make sure to remove any excess water, as cauliflower has a high water content, and releasing more water during cooking can make the dish watery, especially if the cauliflower is overcooked. Allow the cauliflower to cool before proceeding to the next steps of preparing the cheese sauce and assembling the dish.
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Making the cheese sauce
Next, gradually add milk to the mixture, whisking constantly to avoid lumps forming. The amount of milk you use will depend on your desired consistency for the sauce, but a range of 1.5 to 2 cups is typically sufficient. If you want a richer sauce, you can also add some cream at this stage.
Once the milk (and cream, if using) is fully combined, stir in your choice of cheese. Cheddar is a popular option, but you can also use Red Leicester, or a combination of both. For added flavour, you can include some Dijon mustard and a pinch of nutmeg. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and thick. To test if the sauce is ready, coat a spoon with it; if it's thick enough to stick to the spoon, it's good to go.
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Combining the cauliflower and cheese sauce
Now that your cheese sauce is ready, it's time to combine it with the cauliflower. If you haven't already, cut your cauliflower into florets. You can either boil or steam the florets until they are tender but still slightly crunchy. Be sure to drain the cauliflower well to avoid a watery dish. Place the cooked cauliflower florets into a suitable baking dish.
Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower, ensuring that all the florets are generously coated. Sprinkle more grated cheese on top for an extra cheesy treat. You can now place the baking dish into your air fryer and cook until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Aim for a temperature of around 200°C for 5-6 minutes, but be sure to adjust the time and temperature according to your air fryer's specific needs.
If you're preparing this dish ahead of time, cover the assembled dish with foil or cling film and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. This allows the flavours to develop as the cauliflower absorbs the cheesy sauce. Remove the dish from the fridge about an hour before serving, and then follow the air-frying instructions above.
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Air frying
To air fry cauliflower cheese, start by preparing your cauliflower. Cut the cauliflower into florets and rinse them. You can then choose to blanch the florets by placing them in salted cold water and bringing it to a boil for 5-6 minutes, or you can cook them in the air fryer first at 380°F/190°C for 8-10 minutes. If you're blanching the florets, drain them and set them aside.
Next, make the cheese sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, and then add flour, stirring until it forms a thick paste. You can add some seasonings like salt, mustard, garlic, and nutmeg at this point. Gradually add milk (and cream, if you like) to the mixture, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Once the sauce is smooth and thick, remove it from the heat and stir in your choice of shredded or grated cheese. Cheddar, Red Leicester, and Parmesan are all great options.
Now it's time to assemble the dish. Place the cooked cauliflower florets in a baking dish suitable for your air fryer. Pour the cheese sauce over the florets, ensuring they're fully coated. Sprinkle more cheese on top for an extra cheesy treat. Carefully place the dish in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 200°C/390°F. Air fry for 5-10 minutes, keeping an eye on it to ensure the top doesn't burn. The dish is ready when the cheese is bubbly, melted, and golden brown on top.
Let the cauliflower cheese cool slightly before serving. Enjoy it as a side dish or a vegetarian main course. Any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer or microwave when needed.
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Serving suggestions
Air fryer cauliflower cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is a great vegetarian option and can be made ahead of time for easy meal prep. Here are some serving suggestions to consider:
Main Course:
- Air fryer cauliflower cheese can be a delicious and hearty main course for vegetarians.
- It can be served with a side of air-fried vegetables, a fresh red coleslaw, or no-knead bread for a balanced and satisfying meal.
Side Dish:
- This dish is a classic side to roast dinners in British culture.
- It is also a great budget-friendly option to bulk up a roast, as it is hearty and filling.
- Serve it alongside Yorkshire puddings, which can be cooked in the oven while you prepare the cauliflower cheese in the air fryer.
Holiday Meals:
- Air fryer cauliflower cheese is a versatile dish that can complement your holiday meals, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving.
- It can be served with other holiday sides like crispy potato slices, root vegetable tray bake, Christmas tray bake, dauphinoise potatoes, air fryer parmentier potatoes, and coleslaw.
Reheating:
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer or oven when needed.
- Reheat at 350°F for about 5 minutes, ensuring the dish is piping hot throughout.
Customizations:
- You can customize the dish by adding broccoli or spinach to boost the fibre content.
- For a lighter option, you can use skimmed milk, lower-fat cheese, or nutritional yeast instead of some of the cheese.
- For extra flavour and crunch, try adding toppings like crispy bacon bits, green onions, sour cream, or breadcrumbs.
Air fryer cauliflower cheese is a versatile and delicious dish that can be tailored to your preferences and served in a variety of ways. Enjoy experimenting with different serving suggestions to find your favourite combinations!
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Frequently asked questions
Cut the cauliflower into florets, rinse, and pat dry. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, pepper, and any other spices or flavourings of your choice, then toss to combine. Place the cauliflower in the air fryer basket and cook at 380F/190C for 8-10 minutes. While the cauliflower is cooking, prepare your cheese sauce. Once the cauliflower is done, transfer it to a baking dish, pour over the cheese sauce, and sprinkle cheese on top. Place in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes at 360F/180C until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
It takes around 20 minutes in total to cook cauliflower cheese in an air fryer, including the time taken to cook the cauliflower.
Yes, you can reheat cauliflower cheese in an air fryer. Reheat at 350F/180C for 5-7 minutes until heated through, or for 2-3 minutes at 370F.
