Air fryer Baked cauliflower

If you are looking for an easy and delicious way to enjoy cauliflower, this Air Fryer Cauliflower recipe is a great choice. It is crispy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside, and full of delicious smoky flavor. The seasoned panko coating gives every bite a crunchy texture, making this recipe perfect for both kids and adults.

This recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and takes only a short time to prepare. Instead of deep frying, the cauliflower is cooked in the air fryer with just a little olive oil. The result is a light, crispy, and flavorful dish that you can enjoy any day of the week.

Air Fryer Cauliflower can be served as a side dish with lunch or dinner, enjoyed as a healthy snack, or served as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce. Whether you like tartar sauce, vegan ranch dressing, or chipotle sauce, this crispy cauliflower tastes amazing with almost any dip.

If you love quick vegetable recipes that are both easy and satisfying, this recipe is one you will want to make again and again.

Ingredients

• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Heaping ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups small cauliflower florets
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

How to Prepare the Cauliflower

Before you begin cooking, prepare the cauliflower properly so it cooks evenly.

• Remove the thick green leaves from the bottom of the cauliflower.
• Cut the cauliflower in half from top to bottom using a sharp knife.
• Break the florets apart with your hands.
• Make small to medium-sized florets so they become tender inside and crispy outside while cooking.

Instructions

Prepare the Coating

On a rimmed tray, combine the panko bread crumbs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and sea salt. Mix everything well until the spices are evenly blended.

In a small shallow bowl, lightly beat the egg.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 370°F.

Coat the Cauliflower

Dip each cauliflower floret into the beaten egg.

After dipping it into the egg, roll the floret in the seasoned panko mixture until it is completely coated.

Place each coated floret onto a large plate.

Add Olive Oil

Drizzle the coated cauliflower lightly with extra-virgin olive oil. This helps the coating become crispy and golden while cooking.

Air Fry

Arrange the cauliflower florets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Leave a little space between each piece so the hot air can circulate properly.

Do not overcrowd the basket. If needed, cook the cauliflower in batches.

Air fry for 9 to 12 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown and crispy. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer.

Repeat the same process with the remaining cauliflower.

Season to taste and serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Tips & Tricks

Use one hand for wet ingredients and the other for dry ingredients
Dip the cauliflower into the beaten egg with one hand and coat it with the panko mixture using the other hand. This helps keep your hands cleaner and makes coating the florets much easier.
Don’t skip the olive oil
A light drizzle of olive oil helps the panko coating become crispy and golden brown. It also gives the cauliflower a better texture without using a lot of oil.
Cook in batches if needed
Do not fill the air fryer basket too much. Leave a little space between the florets so the hot air can move around them. This helps every piece cook evenly and become crispy.

Serving Suggestions

Air Fryer Cauliflower is a delicious side dish that goes well with many meals. It pairs perfectly with veggie burgers, black bean burgers, portobello mushroom burgers, quinoa burgers, and BBQ jackfruit sandwiches.

You can also enjoy it as a light snack or appetizer. Serve it with your favorite dipping sauces like tartar sauce, vegan ranch dressing, or chipotle sauce. For even more fresh flavor, squeeze a little lemon juice over the cauliflower just before serving.

Storage

If you have leftovers, let the cauliflower cool completely before storing it.

Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheating

For the best crispy texture, reheat the cauliflower in the air fryer at 300°F until heated through.

You can also warm it in the microwave, although the coating may not stay as crispy.