This crispy Air fryer cauliflower recipe with no breading is easy and quick to make. Served with a dipping sauce it’s so delicious you’ll be going for seconds!

air fryer cauliflower in a plate with dip

Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Without Breading

This roasted cauliflower recipe in the Air fryer is absolutely delicious! Served with a dipping sauce, it tastes so good you’ll be going for more. If you love cauliflower you need to make this!

This recipe needs only a few ingredients and is so simple to make. Cauliflower florets are tossed in a seasoning blend, parmesan cheese, and coated with olive oil generously. And air frying them makes a nice crispy coating without the need for bread crumbs. If you’re looking for an Air fryer cauliflower keto recipe or low carb recipe – this is the perfect choice!

This Air Fryer Cauliflower makes such a tasty appetizer or side dish – my family can’t get enough of it! I usually serve it with a Spicy Mayo Dipping Sauce, and it’s always a hit – the plates are wiped clean every time. Cauliflower is one of my favorite veggies, and if you love too, you’ve got to try my Cauliflower Steaks and Air fryer Buffalo Cauliflower too. We also love Air Fryer Broccoli and Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts as side dishes or snacks.

Ingredients

Cauliflower florets – from a medium-sized head
Olive oil – avocado oil or vegetable oil
Smoked paprika – if you want more heat use chili powder
Turmeric – gives a nice golden color to the roasted cauliflower
Garlic powder
Salt
Black pepper
Parmesan cheese – I use the Kraft grated cheese from the bottle. Use that or freshly grated.

Step-By-Step Process

cauliflower cut into florets — Cut a head of cauliflower into florets.

spice mix for the cauliflower — For the seasoning blend, whisk garlic powder, paprika, turmeric powder, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

cauliflower mixed with spices — Add the florets and the seasoning blend together and toss to coat the cauliflower.

adding oil to cauliflower — Add olive oil and toss so they’re evenly coated.

cauliflower in the air fryer — Preheat the Air fryer and place the florets in a single layer in the Air fryer basket.

baked cauliflower in the air fryer — Air fry cauliflower for 10 minutes or until golden brown shaking the basket halfway through.

How To Cut Cauliflower

Cutting cauliflower into florets is a breeze. Here’s how to do it:

removing the outer leaves of cauliflower — Remove the outer leaves of the cauliflower with a sharp knife.

cutting the cauliflower into quarters — Cut the cauliflower into quarters.

removing the stem of the cauliflower — Cut the hard stem off of each quarter.

How To Make Crispy Cauliflower in Air Fryer

Making crispy air fryer cauliflower is so easy. Here’s how to do it:

Cut the cauliflower into bite sized florets.
In a small bowl, whisk in smoked paprika, turmeric powder, garlic powder, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper together.
In a large bowl, add the florets and seasoning and toss the cauliflower to coat.
Add olive oil and toss so they’re evenly coated.
Preheat Air fryer at 380F for 5 minutes.
Place seasoned cauliflower in a single layer in Air fryer basket.
Cook cauliflower for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Shake the basket of the air fryer halfway through.
Serve immediately on its own or with a dipping sauce.

Recipe Tips

Preheat Air fryer to cook faster and for crispy air fryer cauliflower.
Cut the cauliflower in to even sized florets.
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper for easy clean up.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Place cauliflower in a single layer.
When the last batch is done, add the first batch to the Air fryer basket and air fryer for one more minute to keep everything warm.

Recipe Variations

This Air fryer cauliflower recipe is so versatile and can be easily adjusted to your favorite flavor combinations. Here are a few of my favorites:

Panko – For breaded cauliflower or to add crunch, add 2 tablespoons of panko breadcrumbs to your cauliflower.
Parmesan – Add extra parmesan if you want a bold flavor.
Indian – Add 1/2 tsp red chili powder, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1/4 tsp garam masala to the cauliflower.
Herbs – Add 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning or any herb you prefer.
Tangy – Add a teaspoon of lemon juice, lime juice or serve it with lemon slices.

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Can You Cook Frozen Cauliflower In Air Fryer?

Absolutely! To cook frozen cauliflower in the Air fryer, follow the same recipe as above. Cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes.

How To Store and Reheat

Store air-fried cauliflower in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.

Reheat them in the microwave or in the Air fryer at 370F for 2 to 3 minutes.

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