The exact cook time can vary. Read below for our tips!
Looking for a great-tasting vegetable side dish? Air fryer cauliflower is a popular option!
Made with a head of cauliflower, oil, salt, and a few simple spices, this easy-to-make recipe is a versatile side dish. We sometimes serve the cauliflower with a smoky, spicy dipping sauce for extra flavor.
There’s nothing like cauliflower that is crispy on the outside but still tender and soft on the inside – and only takes a few minutes to make!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this simple cauliflower recipe:
- Cauliflower – One small to medium head of cauliflower without blemishes.
- Oil – We use avocado oil, but you can also use canola oil, vegetable oil or similar.
- Salt – Enhances the overall flavor; adjust to taste.
- Garlic Powder – Optional but adds extra flavor.
- Black Pepper – For a hint of spice and extra flavor. Preferably freshly cracked pepper.
Recipe Tips
- Cut the cauliflower into similar-sized florets. This will help with even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer. In ours (6-quart capacity) we can easily fit one small head of cauliflower. If you have a very small air fryer, you might have to cook in batches.
- Feel free to adjust the spices to your taste.
- You can also make frozen cauliflower in the air fryer if you prefer.
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Step by Step Instructions
First, preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. In the meantime, cut the cauliflower into small, evenly-sized florets.
Then rinse them and pat them dry really well. This is important because you don’t want to get extra moisture into your air fryer.
Place the florets in a bowl. Add the oil, salt, garlic powder (optional) and black pepper. Toss well until the cauliflower florets are evenly coated.
When the air fryer is hot, evenly spread out the cauliflower in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer so that the cauliflower can cook evenly.
Cook the florets at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for about 7-10 minutes or until tender and lightly crispy. Shake the air fryer basket approximately every 3 minutes to help with even cooking.
Since every air fryer is slightly different, your cooking time might vary. Our cauliflower is usually done after 8 minutes.
Serve the cauliflower as a side dish to your meal of choice. Enjoy!
Storage Tips
If you have any leftover cauliflower, you can store it in a sealed container in the fridge for about 3 days.
The cauliflower florets will still have a bit of moisture so it’s best to eat them sooner rather than later – otherwise, they may get soggy.
To reheat them, you can use the microwave or pop them back in the air fryer to dry them up a bit as they reheat. Just keep an eye on them so you don’t accidentally burn the cauliflower!
Related Recipes
For more vegetables recipes for the air fryer, try out these popular ones:
- Brussels Sprouts in the Air Fryer
- Air Fried Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fried Cauliflower Steak
- Air Fryer Broccolini
- Air Fryer Stuffed Eggplant
- Air Fryer Broccoli
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 small to medium head cauliflower
- 2 teaspoons oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, optional
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, more to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Meanwhile cut the cauliflower into small, evenly-sized florets. Rinse them, then pat dry.1 small to medium head cauliflower
- Add the cauliflower florets to a bowl. Then also add the oil, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Toss well until the cauliflower florets are evenly coated.2 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- Place the cauliflower florets in the preheated air fryer in one even layer.
- Cook the cauliflower at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for about 7-10 minutes or until tender and lightly crispy. Shake the air fryer basket approximately every 3 minutes. Every air fryer is slightly different, so your cooking time might vary.
- Remove the cooked cauliflower from the air fryer and serve as a side dish.
Video
Notes
- Cut the cauliflower into similar-sized florets. This will help with even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer.
- Adjust the spices to your taste.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
This recipe was first published in February 2021 and updated in January 2025.
