Air-Fried Crispy Cauliflower
Ingredients
-
1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
-
2 tablespoons olive oil
-
½ cup all-purpose flour
-
½ cup breadcrumbs
-
½ teaspoon garlic powder
-
½ teaspoon paprika
-
½ teaspoon onion powder
-
½ teaspoon salt
-
¼ teaspoon black pepper
-
1 large egg
-
2 tablespoons water
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cauliflower
Wash the cauliflower and cut it into evenly sized florets.
Pat the florets dry with a clean kitchen towel. Removing excess moisture helps them become crispier.
2. Prepare the Coating
Place the flour in one bowl.
In a second bowl, whisk together the egg and water.
In a third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Coat the Cauliflower
Dip each cauliflower floret into the flour, shaking off the excess.
Then dip it into the egg mixture.
Finally, coat it thoroughly with the seasoned breadcrumbs.
Repeat until all the cauliflower is coated.
4. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for about 3 minutes, if your model requires preheating.
Lightly spray or brush the basket with oil.
5. Air Fry
Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the basket.
Lightly spray the tops with olive oil.
Air fry for approximately 12–16 minutes, turning or shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
Cook until the cauliflower is golden brown and crispy.
Depending on the size of your florets and your air fryer, you may need an additional 2–4 minutes.
6. Serve
Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Delicious Dipping Sauces
Try serving your crispy cauliflower with:
-
Garlic mayo
-
Ranch dressing
-
Sweet chili sauce
-
Buffalo sauce
-
Honey mustard
-
Spicy yogurt sauce
Tips for Extra-Crispy Cauliflower
-
Dry the cauliflower thoroughly before coating.
-
Cut the florets into similar sizes so they cook evenly.
-
Don’t overcrowd the air-fryer basket.
-
Shake or turn the cauliflower halfway through cooking.
-
A light spray of oil helps the breadcrumbs brown and crisp.
-
For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For the best texture, reheat them in the air fryer at 190°C (375°F) for 3–5 minutes rather than using the microwave.
