Crispy on the outside with a tender roasted texture, air fryer cauliflower makes it easier than ever to eat more veggies. Plus, this flavorful creation can be on your table in a fraction of the time as oven-roasting! {Vegan, Gluten-Free Adaptable}
Roasting cauliflower in your oven can take a little while, plus if it’s hot outside, you don’t want your oven heating up the kitchen. Making air fryer cauliflower is the perfect solution, cooking it perfectly in just minutes and making it even easier to get a healthy side dish ready for dinner. In this recipe, I used some Chinese spices to give the cauliflower some kick, making the dish even more fun.
Air fryer cauliflower ingredients
This air fryer cauliflower is so simple that you likely already have everything you need to make it. You can use any neutral oil, but I prefer olive oil for a healthier version. For the spices, I used Chinese chili flakes, cumin powder, garlic powder, salt, and ground Sichuan peppercorns for a savory umami kick.
However, if you’re not a huge fan of spicy things or you have kids that can’t handle spicy stuff, you can swap the chili flakes with paprika and use black pepper instead of ground Sichuan peppercorns. It will still result in a healthy and flavorful side dish that everyone can enjoy.
How to make air fryer cauliflower
- Toss the cauliflower with oil and spices in a big bowl
- Roast the cauliflower in the air fryer
- Add the green onion and soy sauce at the end
- Roast a bit more to char everything
Your air fryer cauliflower should be tender at this point with lovely browned edges.
It will be best to serve this dish hot alongside your favorite main dishes. You can keep the meal vegetarian and serve it with Mushroom Fried Rice and Pan Fried Tofu. Or have it offset the richness of something like char siu pork. Feel free to serve this air fryer cauliflower recipe with any of your own favorite main dishes to give your meal an exotic twist and an extra helping of tasty veggies!
Other delicious side dishes
- Air Fryer Eggplant
- Air Fryer Garlic Green Beans
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Cabbage Glass Noodles Stir Fry
- Broccoli and Mushroom Stir Fry
- Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 small head cauliflower , cut into bite-size florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Chinese chili flakes (or paprika for a non-spicy dish)
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorn (or black pepper)
- 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 green onion , sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
- Add the cauliflower into a big bowl. Drizzle with olive oil. Add the Chinese chili flakes, cumin powder, garlic, salt, and ground Sichuan peppercorns. Toss to coat well.
- Roast the cauliflower in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 8 to 9 minutes, until just al dente and the edges are charred.
- Transfer the air fryer tray to the kitchen counter. Add the green onion and drizzle with soy sauce. Toss with a spatula. Air fry for another 2 minutes or so, until the cauliflower turns tender and the edges are browned. Serve hot as a side dish.
