If you're craving a savory side dish or snack, make this air fryer cauliflower recipe! Spices like smoked paprika and cayenne fill it with bold flavor.
This air fryer cauliflower recipe is about to become your new favorite veggie side dish! It’s crispy on the outside, tender in the middle, and seasoned to perfection with a blend of savory spices. I love regular roasted cauliflower, but I have to admit—this air fryer cauliflower recipe is on another level.
What makes it so delicious? Before I cook the cauliflower florets, I dredge them in a quick panko coating. It crisps up beautifully in the air fryer, giving the cauliflower an irresistible crunchy texture.
I love this cauliflower on its own as a side dish or snack, but it stands up well to dipping sauces too. Break out the tartar sauce, chipotle sauce, or vegan ranch… You really can’t go wrong!
Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe Ingredients
You only need a few basic ingredients to make this recipe:
- Cauliflower, of course! Break it into small to medium-sized florets. If they’re too large, the florets will burn on the outside before they’re tender inside.
- Panko bread crumbs – They create the crispy coating.
- Spices – Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, and salt add smoky, savory flavor.
- Extra-virgin olive oil – It supplies richness and helps the florets crisp up in the air fryer.
- Egg – The binder! It helps the crispy coating stick to the florets.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Cut Cauliflower
The first step in this recipe is cutting the cauliflower.
- Start by removing the coarse leaves from the base of the head.
- Next, use a sharp knife to cut the cauliflower in half vertically.
- From there, use your hands to break apart the florets.
Aim for small to medium pieces so that the cauliflower cooks evenly.
How to Air Fry Cauliflower
Once you’ve broken apart the florets, it’s easy to cook cauliflower in the air fryer!
First, make the seasoning blend. Whisk together the panko, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and salt in a shallow dish. In a separate small bowl, beat the egg.
Next, bread the florets. Dip each one in the egg, then roll it in the panko mixture to coat. Repeat until all the florets are breaded.
Then, air fry! Drizzle the cauliflower florets with olive oil, and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if necessary. If the basket is too crowded, the cauliflower won’t get crispy.
Air fry at 370°F for 9 to 12 minutes, until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower, season to taste, and enjoy!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Recipe Tips
- Have a wet hand and a dry hand. If you’ve made my eggplant Parmesan or air fryer zucchini chips, you know that things can get messy when you’re dredging veggies. I recommend having a wet hand and a dry hand to control the chaos. Use the wet hand to dunk the cauliflower in the egg wash and transfer it to the panko mixture. Then, use the dry hand to sprinkle it with the crispy coating. It doesn’t hurt to have kitchen towels or paper towels handy to wipe off your fingers, either.
- Don’t skip the olive oil. Without it, the vegetables won’t get nearly as brown and crispy! Keep in mind that even with the oil, this air fried cauliflower is heads and shoulders lighter than regular fried cauliflower.
- Work in batches. Make sure to arrange the cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one. If they’re too crowded, they’ll steam as they cook, and they won’t crisp up. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you’ll likely need to work in batches.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Cauliflower
This crispy air fryer cauliflower is a fun, easy side dish for veggie burgers or sandwiches. It’d be fantastic with any of these recipes:
- Best Veggie Burger
- Easy Black Bean Burger
- Portobello Mushroom Burger
- Quinoa Burger
- BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches
You could also enjoy the cauliflower on its own as a snack or appetizer. Whether you’re making it part of a larger meal or not, finish it with a squeeze of lemon juice and serve it with a tasty dipping sauce on the side. I especially love it with tartar sauce, but it’s also yummy with vegan ranch dressing or chipotle sauce. Pick just one, or try a few!
More Favorite Air Fryer Recipes
If you love this crispy cauliflower, try one of these easy air fryer recipes next:
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Heaping ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups small cauliflower florets
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Instructions
- On a rimmed tray, mix the panko, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and salt. In a small shallow bowl, lightly beat the egg.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
- Dip each cauliflower floret into the egg, coat with the panko mixture, then place onto a large plate. Drizzle the cauliflower with olive oil and place into the air fryer basket in a single layer with a little space between each floret. Don’t overcrowd the basket. Work in batches if necessary. Air fry for 9 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. The exact timing will depend on your air fryer. Repeat with any remaining cauliflower.
- Season to taste and serve.
Notes
The cayenne ratio is too high. We had to tame it down with sour cream, and we don’t usually shy away from spicy.
I don’t have the brand air fryer mentioned, and don’t have access to the brand of eggs listed. Can I still make this?
yep! It should work with any air fryer and any brand of eggs.
an they be made ahead of time for dinner
Hi Debbie, we like these best right after they’re cooked, when they have the best crispy texture.
These cauliflower bites are the bomb! I made them for lunch but used a good quality curry powder for the spice. The lemon was the perfect touch and brightened the flavor. Thank you! Love so many of your recipes!
I’m so glad you loved them!
Made this with Italian breadcrumbs and substituted the cayenne withe sirachi dry spice with a side of tzakiki sauce.. Best cauliflower I have ever had.
I’m so glad you loved it!
Can you leave the egg out? I am vegan and would love to make this.
Hi Kathy, here’s how to make it vegan: replace the egg with ¼ cup nut milk mixed with 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed.
I hope you enjoy!
These are sooo good! Super simple and quick but tasty as heck. Surprisingly filling too. 10/10 would air fry again.
I’m so glad you loved it!
If i don’t want any spiciness to it, would i just eliminate the cayenne and smoked paprika?? Thank you!
Hi Monica, you can skip the cayenne. The smoked paprika isn’t spicy, it’s more smoky. You could try it without but it might be more bland.
I couldn’t get the Panko to stick to the cauliflower even after dipping in the egg mix. The stuff just mixed with the Panko and so I was left with egg soaked cauliflower and a wad of wet Panko. I ended up using corn starch instead.
I put the Panko in a blender first so it was super fine and would stick perfectly
I never leave comments, but I made this dish tonight – love love love!!!
I had it for dinner instead of an appetizer, even my picky, vegetable-hating 13-year-old son asked for seconds!
I had to make some modifications, I used regular bread crumbs and added 1/2 cup of finely grated Parmesan, I didn’t have onion powder so I doubled garlic salt instead. Last, but not least, I used avocado oil in a spray can from Trader Joe’s to spray those babies before putting them in an air frier, in my opinion it’s so much more convenient than drizzling and doesn’t add too much oil but just enough to create that golden crust. I wish I could upload a picture of the end result. Thank you for the recipe!!
Hi Elena, I’m so glad it was such a hit!
Hi Jeanine,
I don’t have an air fryer (but love cauliflower!). Can i make the dish and cook in a regular oven? Would any adjustments need to be made to the recipe?
Thanks!!
Monica
Hi Monica, you can! Follow the cauliflower baking instructions in this recipe: https://dailycove.info/po-boy-sandwich/#wprm-recipe-container-49048%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class=reply>
My new go to snack. I just love this dish. Low on calories and healthy
Can you use a actifry to make these?
Absolutely loved the spices combination, these were a hit! I was wondering what your recommendations would be for making a batch and freezing for a quick snack (Say when Cauliflower is on sale )Thank you for a yummy recipe either way
Hi Jayde, I haven’t tried it, I’m not sure how crispy it’ll be when it thaws.
Really like this recipe. I learned the lesson of the oil drizzle. Forgot it on my first batch and added it on the second. What a difference! Will make again. Thanks
Hi Jana, I’m glad you enjoyed the cauliflower!
Yum!! So easy to make and delicious. I had 1 cup with green beans for dinner.
its absolutely delicios! thank you for the recepie
Such a delicious recipe!! I turned this into a meal with some rice, carrots and Asian greens and served with a chilli mayo sauce. Will definitely be making this again!
I’m so glad you loved it!
Very tasty! My husband is a kid about vegetables but he liked them! Used ranch instead of tartar, tasted like a restaurant appetizer. ?
I’m so glad you both loved it!
It was really good! Did not have cayenne and used chunky blue cheese dressing for dip. Will definitely keep in lineup
I’m glad you enjoyed it!