Name: Air Fryer Cauliflower
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: Small to medium head cauliflower, chopped into florets or 12 ounces cauliflower florets (about 4 1/2 to 5 cups florets); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 2 1/2 tablespoons ketchup; 1 tablespoon dijon mustard; 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/8 teaspoon salt

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Crispy and crunchy, this air fryer cauliflower is ready under 20 minutes! Served alongside a tangy dipping sauce, this is the appetizer or side dish you won’t be able to get enough of!

Never have I ever loved cauliflower so much until this recipe.

It’s true – the crispiness of this cauliflower is next level and the air fryer browning it brings out its natural sweet flavor. If you’re just like meh about cauliflower, I’m telling you this recipe is about to rock your veggie world.

It only requires a few minutes of prep time and only 10-15 minutes of cook time which means you’ve got an appetizer or side dish ready in 15-20 minutes!

You can serve the cauliflower plain or toss it with your favorite sauce or pair it with a dipping sauce. I’m including the recipe for the tangy, creamy dipping sauce I made to pair with this that is a match made in heaven. With only 4 ingredients, you can whip it up while your cauliflower is air frying.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Notes on Ingredients

Cauliflower: If you use a head of cauliflower, try to find a small to medium head or you’ll likely have some cauliflower leftover (or you can just toss it with more olive oil and seasonings). If you’re in a rush, you could grab pre-cut bagged cauliflower florets which will save you a few minutes of prep time.

Olive oil: In order to crisp up properly, the cauliflower will need some oil. I used olive oil but you could use any other neutral vegetable oil or even avocado oil.

Paprika: Adds a boost of mild smoky flavor.

How to Make Air Fryer Cauliflower

Step 1: Chop the cauliflower into florets.

Step 2: Toss the cauliflower with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika and salt.

Step 3: Set air fryer to 375 degrees F. Place cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer so there is some space between florets.

Step 4: Cook (in batches) until cauliflower is browned and crispy, tossing every 3-5 minutes, about 10-15 minutes total.

Step 5: Serve immediately, while hot. Optional: serve with dipping sauce or toss with sauce of choice.

Expert Tips

Do not overcrowd the air fryer with cauliflower. This will interfere with each piece getting crispy. You want to make sure there is space between each floret.
Smaller florets will brown quicker than larger florets so try to cut evenly sized large florets.
Because cauliflower can burn easily, check and toss the basket every 3-5 minutes to ensure even browning.
The second batch (and subsequent batches) may brown quicker than the first since the air fryer will have been preheated. I found that my first batch took about 15 minutes to brown while the second batch was closer to 10 minutes.

Recipe FAQs

Can you air fry frozen cauliflower?

Yes! And you don’t need to thaw it first. Just toss frozen cauliflower with olive oil and spices and cook from frozen. It may just need a little longer to cook so if it’s still soggy after 10-15 minutes, keep checking it every 3-5 minutes or so.

What sauces can you serve this with?

I love my tangy special sauce, which I’ve included in this recipe but this recipe is also fantastic tossed with some Buffalo sauce!

What can you pair this with?

This can be an appetizer for a gathering or a delicious side dish. As a side dish, you could pair with a protein like my air fryer whole chicken or slow cooked salmon and some kind of starch like my air fryer baked potato or roasted potato salad with herb vinaigrette.

Why is my cauliflower not crispy in the air fryer?

You likely overcrowded the air fryer and need to space your florets further apart in a single layer or you just need to cook them longer!

What air fryer do you use?

I use a Phillips XXL Air Fryer which has a 3lb / 4 qt capacity. I did a lot of research and asked colleagues and friends for recommendations and this one came out on top. (Affiliate link – at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase)

For more cauliflower recipes, check out mine below!

If you like this recipe, please be sure to give it a 5 star rating below. If you make it, share it on Instagram and tag me @karalydonrd and I’ll re-share it with my followers! If you want to save this recipe for later, be sure to pin it on Pinterest!