Quick and Easy crispy air fryer cauliflower recipe below
All you need is a head of cauliflower, a little oil, and your favourite seasonings. Toss them together, and then cook it in the air fryer. In just a few minutes, you’ll have perfectly roasted cauliflower that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Don’t have an air fryer? No worries - simply use your oven! What I really love is that whether you’re roasting the cauliflower for a side dish, adding it to a Buddha bowl, or stuffing it into your wrap – it’s always a hit. Plus, these roasted cauliflower bites are suitable for most diets, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and more.
Cauliflower: You will need a small or medium cauliflower, cut into florets. For convenience buy the packet of cauliflower florets from super market. Oil: Any neutral-flavoured oil will work for this recipe. You can use avocado oil, sunflower oil or olive oil. Salt and pepper: Use these two ingredients as per your taste preference. Spices: I recommend using a blend of turmeric, chilli powder, and garlic powder for this recipe. These spices add a delicious flavour and aroma to the cauliflower, Optional Ingredients: To add some extra flavour and freshness to the dish, you can add a splash of lemon juice and fresh coriander.
First remove the outer leaves of the cauliflower and discard them. Then, turn the cauliflower upside down and cut off the stem at the base. Next, cut the cauliflower into quarters by slicing it down the centre, then into halves to create quarters. Now use the knife and remove the core from each quarter by making a V-shaped cut around it and pulling it out. Finally, use a knife to cut the cauliflower into small, evenly-sized florets. Aim for uniformity in size for even cooking.
Cutting and coring a cauliflower may seem daunting at first, but with a little practice, it becomes a quick and easy process. I use ground turmeric, chili powder (use Kashmiri chili powder for less spiciness), garam masala (optional), garlic powder, salt, and pepper. To make crispy air fryer cauliflower bites, first Preheat the air fryer to 190 C/ 380 F for 2 minutes. In a mixing bowl, place the cauliflower florets, spices, oil, salt and pepper. Toss them together until cauliflower are evenly coated. When the cauliflower is tender and caramelised, remove it from the air fryer basket and serve hot. Just before serving, I like to sometime add lemon juice and coriander leaves to bring out the fresh flavours of the air fried cauliflower. It is completely optional and can be adjusted to your taste.
Add any of your favourite spice blends to the cauliflower- like fajita seasoning, taco seasoning, garam masala or curry powder to vary the flavour profile of the roast cauliflower. Add other herbs such as coriander, thyme, oregano, or parsley. Experiment adding potatoes together like in our Aloo Gobi tray bake. Add along other veggies as in our Air fryer roasted vegetables. Vary by adding other optional ingredients, such as grated Parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of paprika.
As a side dish that pairs well with your flatbreads like Chapati, Naan bread, or a simple yogurt flatbread. Meal Prep – Roast cauliflower is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used as a meal prep for dishes like cauliflower tikka masala. You can use it in place of Quorn pieces in Vegetarian Rogan Josh or in place of paneer in Paneer curry. Sandwiches/ Wraps – Try tucking the air fryer cauliflower with hummus, lettuce, and sauces for a tasty lunch option. Snack -Serve with dipping sauces, such as refreshing dill yogurt sauce, cucumber raita, sour cream chive dip, cheese chive dip, ranch dressing or tzatziki, for a little extra flavour.
Why is my roasted cauliflower tough?
Are the cauliflower leaves and stem edible?
Yes, You can eat the leaves and stems of the cauliflower. Eating all the parts of the cauliflower is a fantastic way to reduce food waste. The cauliflower leaves are a bit bitter, like kale or collard greens, and you can use them in stir-fries or soups. I’ve tried air fryer cauliflower leaves - they turn out crispy and are delicious with turmeric hummus. The stems can be chopped and used for a bit of crunch, similar to how you might use broccoli stems.
How long will the leftover cauliflower last in the fridge?
Allow the crispy cauliflower to cool down first. Then transfer the leftovers to airtight container in the fridge. They will last for up to 4 days.
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