Air Fryer Crispy Cauliflower - Simply Recipes

Why Make This

• Air frying produces exceptionally crispy cauliflower with just a light breading.
• This recipe works as a kid-friendly appetizer or as a hearty, healthy side dish.
• Blue cheese dip adds a spicy, creamy complement to the cauliflower.

Cauliflower is one of my favorite vegetables. Whether roasted or tossed in a vegetable curry, I love how versatile it is. And this air fryer crispy cauliflower is my new favorite way to eat it!

An air fryer is a great way to get extra crispy cauliflower, of course, but you can also bake the cauliflower instead. Either way, this cauliflower works great as a hearty vegetable side or served with spicy blue cheese dip as an appetizer. Yum!

How to Use an Air Fryer: A First-Timer's Guide READ MORE:

The Trick To Extra-Crispy Cauliflower

Cauliflower will get a little crispy if you just fry or bake it without any breading, but to get it super crispy, a light breading is key. Toss the cauliflower with spices, add it to an egg mix, and then coat it with breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs help keep the spices on the cauliflower and amp up the crispy outer coating.

Also, you can’t go wrong with an air fryer if you want super crispy cauliflower. It quickly sears the cauliflower and creates a beautiful crust. It also cooks quickly and is pretty easy to clean up.

This crispy cauliflower is best to eat as soon as possible out of the air fryer, so it’s warm, and the breading is crispy. It’s okay to let it sit for a few minutes while you finish another batch, but if it sits for too long (over 30 minutes) it starts to lose some of its crispiness.

No Air-Fryer? No Problem! Make Crispy Cauliflower in the Oven

To make crispy cauliflower in the oven, spread the cauliflower in an even layer on a baking sheet and bake for 20 to 30 minutes in a 350°F oven. Rotate the cauliflower once while it’s baking to ensure it cooks evenly.

I don’t think the oven version gets quite as crispy as the air fryer version because you are missing that intense direct heat, but it’s still darn good.

What To Serve With Crispy Cauliflower

You can serve this vegetable as a side dish to any protein, like pan-seared chicken or pork chops. But my favorite way to eat crispy cauliflower is as a hearty appetizer with the quick spicy blue cheese dip included with this recipe. The flavors go great together, and it’s a nice addition to an appetizer spread.

Suggestions and Substitutions

• If you don’t want to do the breading, just toss the cauliflower in olive oil and add the spices. It’ll still be okay to roast or air fry and get some crispy edges.
• If you’re gluten-sensitive, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or cornmeal to coat the cauliflower.

More Air Fryer Appetizers

• Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas
• Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
• Air Fryer Crab Rangoon
• Air Fryer Egg Rolls