If you happen to’re craving a crunchy, salty, and tremendous enjoyable snack, make this air fryer cauliflower recipe! Smoked paprika and cayenne fill it with daring taste.
This air fryer cauliflower recipe will make any night at residence extra enjoyable! Because the seasons change, Jack and I are spending extra time inside, which additionally means we’re watching extra films and TV. Currently, this air fryer cauliflower has been our go-to viewing snack. Well being-wise, it’s positively a minimize above the typical fries or chips (or fried cauliflower, for that matter), and taste-wise, it’s simply nearly as good. A easy panko coating infuses it with smoky, spicy taste and offers it loads of crunch. Eat one floret, and also you’ll have devoured half a head of cauliflower earlier than you recognize it!
Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe Elements
You solely want just a few fundamental components to make this recipe:
- Cauliflower, after all! Break it into small to medium-sized florets. In the event that they’re too massive, the outsides will burn earlier than the middles cook dinner by way of.
- Panko bread crumbs – They create the crispy coating.
- Spices – Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, and salt give this air fryer cauliflower an addictive smoky/savory taste.
- Additional-virgin olive oil – It provides richness to the cauliflower and helps it crisp up within the air fryer.
- Egg – The binder! It helps the crispy coating stick with the cauliflower.
Discover the entire recipe with measurements beneath.
Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe Suggestions
- Have a moist hand and a dry hand. If you happen to’ve made my Eggplant Parmesan or Crispy Cauliflower Po’ Boy Sandwich, you recognize that issues can get messy whenever you’re dredging veggies. I like to recommend having a moist hand and a dry hand to regulate the chaos. Use the moist hand to dunk the cauliflower within the egg wash and switch it to the panko combination. Then, use the dry hand to sprinkle it with the crispy coating and place it on the ready baking sheet. It doesn’t harm to have kitchen towels or paper towels useful to wipe off your fingers, both.
- Don’t skip the olive oil. It’s simple to overlook to drizzle the breaded cauliflower florets with olive oil earlier than you air fry them (I communicate from expertise), however when you will help it, don’t skip this step! Even with the oil, the air fried cauliflower is heads and shoulders lighter than common fried cauliflower. And with out it, the veggies received’t get almost as brown and crispy.
- Work in batches. Make certain to rearrange the cauliflower florets in a single layer within the air fryer basket, leaving a bit of area between every one. In the event that they’re too crowded, they’ll steam as they cook dinner, they usually received’t crisp up. Relying on the scale of your air fryer, you’ll seemingly must work in batches. Be aware: we now have the SkinnyTaste Air Fryer and we actually find it irresistible.
Air Fryer Cauliflower Serving Options
This air fryer cauliflower is a extremely enjoyable facet dish for veggie burgers or sandwiches. It’d be unbelievable with any of those recipes:
You could possibly additionally benefit from the cauliflower by itself as a snack or appetizer. Whether or not you’re making it half of a bigger meal or not, end it with a squeeze of lemon juice and serve it with a tasty dipping sauce on the facet. I particularly love my air fryer cauliflower with tartar sauce, nevertheless it’s additionally yummy with vegan ranch dressing, chipotle sauce, romesco sauce, vegan cheese, or home made Caesar dressing. Choose only one, or attempt just a few!
Extra Favourite Snacks and Appetizers
If you happen to love this recipe, attempt considered one of these tasty snacks or appetizers subsequent:
For extra wholesome snack concepts, take a look at this put up. Then, click on right here to search out 50 extra of my favourite simple appetizers!

Air Fryer Cauliflower
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook dinner Time: 15 minutes
Serves 4
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- ¼ heaping teaspoon sea salt
- 1 massive egg
- 2 cups small cauliflower florets
- Additional-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Tartar Sauce, for serving
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On a rimmed tray, combine the panko, smoked paprika, garlic, onion, cayenne, and salt. In a small shallow bowl, flippantly beat the egg.
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Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
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Dip every cauliflower floret into the egg, coat with the panko combination, then place onto a big plate. Drizzle the cauliflower with olive oil and place into the air fryer basket in a single layer with a bit of area between every floret. Don’t overcrowd the basket. Work in batches if obligatory. Air fry for 9 to 12 minutes, or till golden brown and crisp. Repeat with any remaining cauliflower.
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Serve with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.