Air Fryer Cauliflower, No Boiling

The air fryer cauliflower is gratinéed, there is no need to pre-boil it and the result is almost fried. You can cook it in small slices (like chips) or small florets to speed up the cooking and achieve more crispy surfaces. You can choose to flavor it with turmeric and paprika or slightly bread it with seasoned breadcrumbs.

SEASONALITY of #cauliflower from October to mid-March, of Romanesco or #Romanesco broccoli – from October to April.

RECIPES with cauliflower

air fryer cauliflower without boiling and almost fried
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cost: Inexpensive
  • Preparation time: 5 Minutes
  • Portions: 2People
  • Cooking methods: Oven, Air Frying
  • Cuisine: Healthy
  • Seasonality: Fall, Winter
127.75 Kcal
calories per serving
Info Close
  • Energy 127.75 (Kcal)
  • Carbohydrates 16.37 (g) of which sugars 4.29 (g)
  • Proteins 5.85 (g)
  • Fat 5.81 (g) of which saturated 1.04 (g)of which unsaturated 0.47 (g)
  • Fibers 5.01 (g)
  • Sodium 309.97 (mg)

Indicative values for a portion of 150 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.

* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov

Air Fryer Cauliflower

  • 1.5 lbs cauliflower (of your preferred color)
  • 1 tbsp breadcrumbs (gluten-free for intolerants – about 15 g)
  • 1 tsp nutritional yeast (or grated cheese for vegetarians – about 5 g)
  • as needed fine salt
  • 1 drizzle extra virgin olive oil

Optionally add some spices or aromatic herbs: turmeric, curry, oregano, paprika, chili pepper, rosemary, sage, thyme.

Tools

  • Air Fryer
  • Grill raised
  • Baking Dish oven

Air Fryer Cauliflower


  • Cut the cauliflower into small florets (or chip-like slices), then wash it. Place it in a bowl.

    Cut the cauliflower into small florets
  • Season the cauliflower with breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast (or grated cheese for vegetarians), salt, and optionally with spices (turmeric, paprika, chili pepper) or aromatic herbs (oregano, thyme, rosemary).

    season the cauliflower with breadcrumbs and seasonings
  • Then oil it.

    oil the cauliflower in air fryer

  • With the help of a spoon, mix everything well to season the cauliflower evenly.

    mix the cauliflower in air fryer
  • Place a raised grill inside the air fryer.

    raised grill in air fryer
  • COOKING in air fryer
    Place the cauliflower in a baking dish and spread it in a single layer. Place the dish on the grill, then close the air fryer without waiting for preheating. Set the temperature to 338°F and the time to 8 minutes, then cook until the cauliflower is crispy and golden, being careful not to burn or dry it out.

    COOKING in traditional oven
    Bake in a static oven at 356°F for about 20 minutes, then continue baking in a ventilated oven at 320°F for another 10 minutes.

    cauliflower in air fryer before cooking

STORE the air fryer cooked cauliflower

The air fryer cooked cauliflower can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain crispiness, you can briefly reheat it in the air fryer or oven.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

  • What seasonings to add to cauliflower?

    You can add various seasonings to cauliflower depending on your taste.
    Garlic (fresh or powder) – for an intense flavor.
    Turmeric – for a vibrant color and a mildly spiced flavor.
    Oregano or thyme – for a Mediterranean taste.
    Paprika (sweet or smoked) – for a hint of sweetness or a smoky touch.
    Chili pepper – if you prefer a bit of heat.
    Rosemary – perfect for an aromatic and fresh touch.

  • What happens if I put parchment paper in the air fryer?

    Placing parchment paper in the air fryer is generally safe, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
    fire risk: if the parchment is too exposed to direct heat or rises too much due to air circulation, it could catch fire. It’s important to ensure that the paper doesn’t touch the heater or the walls of the fryer.
    proper placement: use parchment paper only as a base, avoiding it being too large or lifting, interfering with airflow. You can also pierce it to allow more even air circulation.
    heat-resistant parchment paper: make sure the parchment paper you use is suitable for high temperatures, otherwise it could deteriorate.

  • How much does the air fryer consume in 10 minutes?

    The energy consumption of the air fryer depends on the model, but generally it ranges between 1200 and 1800 watts. If we take an example of a 1500 watt fryer, the calculation of consumption in 10 minutes (0.167 hours) would be: 1500 watts x 0.167 hours = 250 watt-hours (Wh).

Author image

Sara Grissino

Simple and seasonal Italian recipes, often vegan or vegetarian, with fresh and sustainable ingredients for healthy and delicious cooking.

Read the Blog