Easy 15-Minute Crispy Cauliflower Air Fryer Recipe
Looking for a quick and delicious snack or side dish? Have I got the yummiest idea for you! This easy 15-minute crispy cauliflower air fryer recipe will have you hooked at first bite. Whether you’re looking for a tasty snack, a healthy vegetable side dish for dinner, or a flavorful addition to your lunch bowl, this recipe is sure to impress. Plus, with just a handful of basic ingredients and your trusty air fryer, you can whip up this crispy cauliflower in no time.
Over the last couple of years, I’ve been on a mission to eat more vegetables. I personally get bored of eating raw veggies all the time, so cooking them in a unique way helps my taste buds stay interested! I LOVE my air fryer for quick and easy dishes, so after experimenting with it I discovered this delicious take on cauliflower. The egg & panko gives it a satisfying, crispy texture, and the air fryer makes it crispy with less oil than a deep fried vegetable. This is my new favorite way to eat cauliflower either as a snack, in a bowl for lunch, or as an easy side dish for dinner. This would be a super-yummy addition in a cozy glow bowl like this one. Let me show you how to make it!
Ingredients
- cauliflower
- panko bread crumbs
- eggs
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- cooking spray
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Start by prepping your cauliflower. You can either cut it into “steak” slices about 1/2 inch thick or into bite-sized cauliflower florets, whichever you prefer. This recipe is versatile, so feel free to choose the shape that suits your preference.
In two separate shallow bowls, beat the eggs in one and mix the panko crumbs, salt, pepper & garlic powder in the other. Dip each cauliflower piece into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then, transfer it to the bowl of panko crumbs and press gently to coat both sides evenly. Repeat this process until all cauliflower pieces are coated with the egg and panko mixture.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Once heated, arrange the coated cauliflower pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the cauliflower with avocado oil cooking spray. This step helps to enhance the crispiness of the cauliflower as it cooks.
Air fry the cauliflower for approximately 15 minutes or until golden brown and tender. Flip them with tongs half way through cooking. You may have to make these in two batches dependent on the size of your air fryer and whether you cut the cauliflower into steak or florets.
Once the cauliflower is beautifully golden and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a serving dish. These crispy cauliflower bites are delicious on their own, but feel free to serve them with your favorite dipping sauce. They pair perfectly with a tangy buffalo sauce or a creamy lemon tahini sauce (find the recipe link here). I also sprinkled mine with a little Green Goddess seasoning blend.
Hint: Keep an eye on your cauliflower as cooking time may vary depending on the size of your cauliflower pieces and the efficiency of your air fryer.
Substitutions
- Avocado Cooking Spray: Substitute for your favourite cooking spray, or simply brush on your favourite oil like olive oil or canola oil.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: Instead of Panko, you could use regular bread crumbs. You could even substitute these for grated parmesan cheese if you’re avoiding bread.
Variations
- Spice it Up: Add extra flavor to your cauliflower by incorporating your favorite herbs and spices into the panko breadcrumb mixture. Try adding a dash of smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, or Italian seasoning for an extra kick.
- Make it Vegan: To make this recipe vegan-friendly, simply substitute the eggs with a plant-based alternative such as aquafaba (chickpea brine) or a flaxseed egg.
- Get Creative: Don’t limit yourself to just cauliflower! This recipe works well with other veggies too. Try using broccoli florets, zucchini slices, or even carrot sticks for a tasty variation.
- Serve with Dipping Sauce: While these crispy cauliflower bites are delicious on their own, they’re even better when served with a flavorful dipping sauce. Try pairing them with a classic buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, a zesty lemon tahini sauce, or your favorite dip.
Equipment
I like to use my favourite XL air fryer to make this air-fried cauliflower. It’s HUGE, so I can make a whole head of cauliflower in one batch if I cut it into florets.
Storage
Store the cooked cauliflower in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can warm it up in the microwave to eat it, however if you want the crispy coating back you can air fry it again for 2-3 minutes.
15-Minute Crispy Cauliflower Air Fryer Recipe
Easy 15-Minute Crispy Cauliflower Air Fryer Recipe
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower head
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper ground
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp avocado oil cooking spray
Instructions
- Start by prepping your cauliflower. You can either cut it into "steak" slices about 1/2 inch thick or into bite-sized florets, whichever you prefer. This recipe is versatile, so feel free to choose the shape that suits your preference.
- In two separate shallow bowls, beat the eggs in one and mix the panko crumbs, salt, pepper and garlic powder in the other. This will be your dipping station assembly line, making it easy to coat the cauliflower pieces.
- Dip each cauliflower piece into the beaten eggs, ensuring it's fully coated. Then, transfer it to the bowl of panko crumbs and press gently to coat both sides evenly. Repeat this process until all cauliflower pieces are coated with the egg and panko mixture.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This step ensures that your cauliflower cooks evenly and achieves that perfect golden crispiness.
- Once your air fryer is preheated, arrange the coated cauliflower pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the cauliflower with avocado oil cooking spray. This step helps to enhance the crispiness of the cauliflower as it cooks.
- Air fry the cauliflower at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 15 minutes or until golden brown and tender. Flip the cauliflower half way through cooking. Keep an eye on them as cooking times may vary depending on the size of your cauliflower pieces and the efficiency of your air fryer.
- Once the cauliflower is beautifully golden and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a serving dish. These crispy cauliflower bites are delicious on their own, but feel free to serve them with your favorite dipping sauce. They pair perfectly with a tangy buffalo sauce or a creamy lemon tahini sauce.
Nutrition
These nutrition values are estimates only. Read my full nutrition disclaimer here.
With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this Easy 15-minute crispy air fryer cauliflower recipe is sure to become a staple dish in your house. Whether you’re enjoying it as a savory snack, a tasty side dish, or a tasty addition to your lunch bowl, you can’t go wrong with this deliciously crispy treat! I hope you enjoy this recipe, and let me know if you’ve tried any other air fryer vegetables recipes in the comments. I’d love to add more to my blog!
Do you like air frying as much as I do? Check out this delicious air fryer chicken thighs recipe next; it’s another easy and yummy air fryer recipe! It’s my go-to method for cooking chicken thighs for supper.
I don’t have an air fryer. Can I use something else?
Yes, you can use an oven at 375 degrees, but you will need extra 5 minutes or so of cooking time.