This air fryer cauliflower recipe makes the perfect accompaniment to just about anything, so it’s a great way to change up your dinnertime cauliflower game. Cauliflower’s firm texture means it typically takes a long time to cook, but the air fryer makes quick work of it, tenderizing it in a fraction of the usual time while caramelizing the exterior nicely. You wind up with crisp-tender and deeply browned florets, generously seasoned with smoked paprika and garlic powder, mimicking the flavors of long-roasted vegetables. Feel free to add any other spices your heart desires: onion powder, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper would all be welcome additions.
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What you’ll need
Air Fryer
$100 At Amazon
Smoked Paprika
$8 At Hive
Garlic Powder
$8 At Burlap and Barrel
Recipe information
Total Time
30 minutes
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Heat air fryer to 400°. Combine 1 medium head of cauliflower (1½–1¾ lb.), cut into florets, ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper, 1 tsp. garlic powder, and 1 tsp. smoked paprika in a large bowl and toss until cauliflower is evenly coated.
Step 2
Transfer cauliflower mixture to an air fryer basket, arrange in a single layer, and air-fry, shaking halfway through, until browned and crisp-tender, 15–19 minutes. (If your air fryer is too small to fit all of the cauliflower in a single layer, cook in 2 batches.)
Step 3
Taste cauliflower and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Transfer to a plate and top with chopped parsley if desired.
Recipe notes
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