Cauliflower in the Air Fryer
Cauliflower can be bland and watery when boiled, but roasted hard it turns sweet, nutty and golden. Air fryer cauliflower gets there in about 13 minutes, with crisp edges and a tender middle, and without the 35 minutes that an oven needs. This recipe covers spiced florets, with timings for steaks, a whole head, crispy bites and cauliflower cheese.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 21min
- Prep
- 8min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 85kcal
Why the air fryer works for cauliflower
Air fryer cauliflower browns far better than boiled or steamed cauliflower, because the dry, fast-moving air pulls moisture from the surface of each floret. As the water goes, the natural sugars caramelise, which gives roasted cauliflower its sweet, nutty flavour. The small gaps between the florets catch a lot of heat, so the edges turn crisp while the stalk softens, all in around 13 minutes.
Cauliflower in air fryer baskets is also very flexible. The same method works for florets, thick steaks and a whole head, and the cauliflower takes spices, cheese or a sauce equally well. The one thing to watch is crowding. Wet or overlapping florets steam and stay pale, so cook large amounts in batches.
How to make cauliflower in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cut the florets Remove the leaves and cut the cauliflower into florets about 4 cm wide. Cut off any thick stalks and slice them 1 cm thick, because they roast well too. Even pieces cook at an even rate.
- Dry Rinse the florets and dry them thoroughly with kitchen roll. Wet cauliflower steams in the basket and stays pale.
- Season Toss the florets in a large bowl with the oil, paprika, cumin, garlic granules, salt and pepper, until every piece is coated.
- Preheat and cook Heat the air fryer to 200 °C for . Add the cauliflower in a single layer and cook for , shaking the basket every .
- Check The florets are ready when the edges are deep golden and a knife slides into the stalk end with little resistance. Add if they are still firm.
- Serve Squeeze lemon over the cauliflower and scatter with parsley. Serve it hot, as it loses its crispness as it cools.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Cauliflower | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Roasted cauliflower floretsShake every 4 minutes | 200 °C | 12–14 min |
| Cauliflower steaks, 2 cmTurn halfway | 190 °C | 12–15 min |
| Whole cauliflower headNeeds a large basket | 180 °C | 25–30 min |
| Crispy cauliflower bites, breadedNot gluten-free | 190 °C | 12–15 min |
| Cauliflower cheesePar-cook first (not vegan or dairy-free) | 180 °C | 8–10 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Dry before oiling. Water is the enemy of browning. Spin or pat the florets completely dry.
- Keep small crumbs out. Tiny pieces burn first. Rub them off the florets or add them for the last 4 minutes only.
- Use the leaves. Small, tender leaves crisp up like kale chips in 4–5 minutes at 180 °C.
Serving
Serve the cauliflower as a side with chicken breast or salmon fillet, or as the main part of a meal with rice, hummus and a yoghurt dressing. It also works as a nibble for a party table (see snacks). Roasted cauliflower in air fryer baskets and broccoli can cook together as a mixed tray, with the cauliflower going in a few minutes earlier.
Storing and reheating
Cooked cauliflower keeps for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat air fryer cauliflower, cook it at 180 °C for 3–4 minutes, shaking once, until it is steaming hot all the way through (75 °C) and crisp again. Cauliflower cheese reheats for 8–10 minutes at 160 °C.
Variations
- Buffalo or bang bang: Toss the cooked florets in 2 tbsp hot sauce or a sweet chilli mayonnaise and cook for 2 more minutes for a sticky coating (the mayonnaise version is not vegan).
- Parmesan: Add 2 tbsp grated parmesan for the last 2 minutes of cooking (not vegan or dairy-free).
- Indian-style: Swap the paprika and cumin for 1 tsp garam masala and ½ tsp turmeric and serve with lime and coriander.
Troubleshooting
- The cauliflower is pale and soggy
- The florets were wet or the basket was too full. Dry the florets, spread them in a single layer and cook in two batches if you have more than 500 g.
- Some florets are burnt and others are hard
- The pieces were different sizes. Cut them to the same size, shake the basket often and take the smaller pieces out first.
- The spices burn and taste bitter
- Fine spices scorch at 200 °C. Make sure the florets are coated with oil first, and lower the temperature to 190 °C for 14–15 minutes if the spices darken too quickly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does cauliflower take in an air fryer?
Florets 4 cm wide take 12–14 minutes at 200 °C. Cauliflower steaks 2 cm thick need 12–15 minutes, and a whole head takes 25–30 minutes at 180 °C.
Can you cook a whole cauliflower in an air fryer?
Yes, if it fits. Brush a medium head with oil and cook it at 180 °C for 25–30 minutes, turning it halfway, until a knife slides into the core. Large heads will not fit in a small basket.
How do you make cauliflower cheese in an air fryer?
Par-cook the florets for 8 minutes, cover them with a cheese sauce in an ovenproof dish and cook at 180 °C for 8–10 minutes until bubbling and golden.
Can you air fry cauliflower without oil?
You can, but it will be drier and paler. A tablespoon of oil for a whole head of cauliflower is enough for browning and seasoning to stick.
How do you make air fryer cauliflower crispy?
Dry it well, cut the florets small, and for extra crunch toss them in a little cornflour or breadcrumbs before cooking. Do not crowd the basket.
Rate this recipe
5.0 out of 5 · 89 ratings
