This air fryer cauliflower is flavoured with paprika, onion, garlic and lemon, then air-fried to crunchy perfection... ready to enjoy in just 12 minutes!
Cooking cauliflower in an air fryer is SO quick and easy! The cauliflower becomes crunchy on the outside without becoming mushy inside! Serve with your favourite dip such as hummus, aoili, chipotle or ranch, for the easiest healthy snack. It is so delicious, SO crispy, and very addictive!
Snack on a plate of this crispy, crunchy cauliflower and a bowl of stovetop popcorn while watching a movie, or serve with sweet potato quinoa bites and a selection of other healthy savoury snacks to fill after-school hungry tummies or to serve with drinks.
Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
- Easy recipe - chop, mix and air fry!
- Quick - this cauliflower is ready to enjoy in 12 minutes!
- Healthy snack - made with minimal oil and healthy ingredients- is crunchy, salty, and much more nutritious than a packet of chips!
- Basic Ingredients - made with pantry staples, this air-fried cauliflower is a budget-friendly way to enjoy cauliflower.
Crunchy Cauliflower Ingredients
You need a cauliflower and a handful of basic pantry staples to make this crispy air fryer cauliflower recipe!
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.
- Cauliflower - You need a whole head of cauliflower cut into even-sized florets.
- Olive oil - regular olive oil is best for this recipe.
- Cayenne pepper - This is optional but adds a spicy kick to the cauliflower! If you don't like spice, then leave it out.
How To Make Air Fryer Cauliflower
Cooking cauliflower in the air fryer is as simple as 1, 2...3! With just 2 minutes prep time, have this healthy snack ready to enjoy in just 10 minutes!
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.
- Step 1: Preheat the air fryer.
Place the cauliflower florets into a bowl, drizzle over the olive oil, and add the paprika, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Mix until the oil and spices completely coat the cauliflower florets.
- Step 3: Place the seasoned florets into the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook until golden and crispy, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Step 4: Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce.
Expert Tips
- Preheat the air fryer before adding the cauliflower.
- Cauliflower florets - Cut the cauliflower into even-sized florets. If they are different sizes, some will burn, whilst others will still be uncooked in the middle.
- Don't skimp on the olive oil - Without as much olive oil, the cauliflower won't become as crispy!
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - Cook in batches if need be. If you add too much cauliflower, it will steam and won't become crispy.
- Shake partway through - This helps the cauliflower cook evenly. Continue cooking until golden and crispy.
- Don't like spice - Omit the cayenne pepper if you're heat-sensitive.
Air Fryer Cauliflower FAQs
If your cauliflower is tough, it is probably because it is undercooked. It is cooked when tender, and the tip of a knife can easily be inserted into the cauliflower floret.
You may have put too much cauliflower in the air fryer basket. The air must circulate to remove moisture from the cauliflower and help crisp it. If your florets are piled up or too close together, the air can't get to them, and they will steam rather than air fry, leading to soggy cauliflower.
No. I recommend serving air fryer cauliflower immediately after cooking to ensure its crispiness.
More Healthy Snack Recipes
For more easy and delicious savoury snacks, here are some more of my favourite healthy snack recipes:
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Air Fryer Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- salt and pepper to season
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 190 degrees celsius (fan forced) or 380 degrees fahrenheit.
- Place the cauliflower florets into a bowl.
- Add the olive oil, paprika, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt and pepper.
- Mix until well combined.
- Place the florets into a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes (shake the basket halfway through). Cook until golden and crispy.
- Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce (ranch or chipotle are great options).
Notes
- Preheat the air fryer before adding the cauliflower.
- Cauliflower florets - cut the cauliflower into even sized florets. If they are different sizes, some will burn whilst others are still raw in the middle.
- Don't skimp on the olive oil - without as much olive oil the cauliflower won't become as crispy!
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - cook in batches if need be. If you add too much cauliflower it will steam and won't become crispy.
- Shake partway through - this helps the cauliflower cook evenly. Continue cooking until golden and crispy.
- Don't like spice? - omit the cayenne pepper if you're sensitive to heat.
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