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Air Fryer Cauliflower

This simple Air Fryer Cauliflower recipe turns a humble head of cauliflower into crispy, golden florets in under 20 minutes. Perfect as a snack, side dish, or crunchy addition to meals.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American, Vegetarian
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets Trim stem and separate evenly
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil Avocado oil works well for higher smoke point
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder Adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon paprika Use smoked or sweet depending on preference
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese Optional — use nutritional yeast for a vegan option

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Trim and cut the cauliflower into even florets so they cook uniformly.
  3. In a large bowl, toss the florets with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until every piece is lightly coated.
Cooking
  1. Arrange cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding - work in batches if needed for maximum crisping.
  2. Cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket or using tongs to turn the florets halfway through (around 8-10 minutes).
  3. When the florets are golden and crisp at the edges, remove and, if desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan while still hot so it melts slightly.
Serving
  1. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

For oil-free, use a light mist of cooking spray or omit oil and accept slightly less browning. Swap paprika for curry powder or chili powder for different flavor profiles. Add a pinch of cayenne for heat or dried herbs for aromatics.