This air fryer cauliflower recipe is about to become your new favorite veggie side dish! It’s crispy on the outside, tender in the middle, and seasoned to perfection with a blend of savory spices. I love regular roasted cauliflower but I have to admit—this air fryer cauliflower recipe is on another level.

What makes it so delicious? Before I cook the cauliflower florets, I dredge them in a quick panko coating. It crisps up beautifully in the air fryer, giving the cauliflower an irresistible crunchy texture.I love this cauliflower on its own as a side dish or snack, but it stands up well to dipping sauces too.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.

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.
• 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.
• Deep fryers
• 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.

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.
• Olive Oil
• 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.

Air Fryer Crispy Cauliflower

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Air Fryer 
cauliflower  is a quick, crispy, and flavorful vegetable recipe that is perfect as a side dish, snack, or appetizer. The cauliflower is coated with seasoned panko 
bread crumbs and cooked in the air fryer until golden brown and crunchy. It is easy to prepare and tastes great with your favorite dipping sauce.

Course: Air Fryer RecipesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

12

minutes

Calories

360

kcal

Total time

22

minutes

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

Directions

• Mix the panko bread crumbs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and sea salt on a rimmed tray.
• Lightly beat the egg in a small shallow bowl.
• Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
• Dip each cauliflower floret into the beaten egg.
• Coat each floret completely with the seasoned panko mixture.
• Place the coated cauliflower onto a large plate.
• Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
• Arrange the florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between them.
• Air fry for 9 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
• Cook the remaining cauliflower in batches if necessary.

Notes

• These nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on the brands of ingredients used and the amount of olive oil added during cooking. Dipping sauces are not included in these estimates.

Nutrition Facts

• Total number of serves: 4
• Calories: 360kcal
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 180mg
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 8g
• Sugar: 6g
• Protein: 14g
• Iron: 3.2mg