This Air Fried Cauliflower recipe is an easy and delicious vegetarian dish that goes with just about anything. With just a handful of ingredients, you can make a tasty and healthy vegetable side dish with little effort and wonderful flavor. If you don’t have an Instant Pot air fryer or air fryer lid, you can use a traditional air fryer or bake them in the oven.
Make sure the cauliflower is completely dry. This is an important step.
Mix the paprika, salt, pepper, onion, and garlic powders in a small bowl.
Rub the cauliflower florets with oil. Sprinkle spice mix all over the cauliflower and toss them up to get the evenly coated. Or use your hand to rub the spices all over. Wear kitchen gloves or wash your hands really well afterwards.
If using the Instant Pot air fryer, place the metal rack in the basket and place the air fryer basket in the air fryer.
Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
Grease the basket. You can either use a paper towel soaked with oil or an oil sprayer. Don't use canned aerosol oil as that can harm the coating of the air fryer basket.
Place the cauliflower in the basket, close the air fryer, and air fry cauliflower for 15 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are using an Instant Pot air fryer, partway through cooking, the display says turn Food. If you are using an air fryer without this feature, set a timer to shake the basket 7 minutes into the cooking process.
Shake up the cauliflower, close the air fryer and continue cooking.
When the cooking time is up, open the air fryer and check to see if the cauliflower is cooked enough. If not, air fryer for another 1 to 2 minutes.
Press Cancel and transfer the cauliflower to a serving plate.
Oven Instructions *
Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make sure the cauliflower is completely dry. This is an important step.
Mix the paprika, salt, pepper, onion, and garlic powders in a small bowl.
Rub the cauliflower florets with oil. Sprinkle spice mix all over the cauliflower and toss them up to get them evenly coated. Or use your hand to rub the spices all over. Wear kitchen gloves or wash your hands really well afterward.
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and coat with oil.
Spread the cauliflower on the baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Flip the pieces halfway through cooking.
Transfer the cauliflower to a serving plate.
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Notes
Cooking time can vary based on the air fryer model and quantity of cauliflower. At the 14-minute mark, check the cauliflower to see if it's cooked through.
* If baking in the oven, the recipe can be doubled or tripled.