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Air Fryer Breaded Cauliflower : Super Crunchy Recipe

Air fryer breaded cauliflower is a quick and easy recipe, perfect for preparing a very healthy and tasty easy side dish or appetizer in no time.

Air Fryer Breaded Cauliflower

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cauliflower prepared in this way is delicious and will give this vegetable an extra kick so that even the kids will enjoy it!

To add more flavors you can use the spices that you like.

In this case I used paprika and garlic salt, an extra touch is to accompany the dish with any delicious homemade sauce.

This recipe is vegan, containing no animal ingredients.

Why Make this Air Fryed Crispy Cauliflower?

I love my cauliflower in every way, with pasta, boiled, in the oven, au gratin, etc.

This recipe is a great way for getting those who are more grumpy to eat cauliflower.

It’s easy and so good!

Air Fryer Breaded Cauliflower

What Do I Need to Make This Recipe?

These are the basic ingredients you need for this recipe.

For the step-by-step directions and measurements, scroll down to our printable recipe card. 

Cauliflowers: It is obviously the main ingredient in this recipe.

You can use fresh cauliflower, but the frozen ones are fine too. (Below I have listed the benefits of cauliflower)

Flour: We need flour to create the batter by combining it with water. You can use all purpose flour, but any flour will do the job.

Spices: You can use as many spices as you like.

I used paprika and garlic salt in this one.

Breadcrumbs: Will create a crispy outer layer.

Vegetable oil: Olive oil or avocado oil.

cauliflower benefits

What Is The Difference Between Cauliflower And Broccoli?

Both cauliflower and broccoli belong to the Cruciferae family.

Unlike the characteristics of shape, color, texture, taste etc, which can change from one variety to another, the calories of cauliflower and, in general, the nutritional values of cauliflower are very similar to those of broccoli. As well as the properties and benefits.

What To Look For Before Buying A Cauliflower

Cauliflower should be tightly closed, firm, with the inflorescence firm and unblemished.

The outer leaves should be crisp and adherent to the head.

A firm and compact flower, with the florets well closed, is a sign of freshness; a slightly blackened surface betrays a bad and prolonged preservation.

Cauliflower is in fact a delicate vegetable, which easily deteriorates.

How To Make Breaded Cauliflower In The Air Fryer

Step 1: Take the cauliflower, place it on a cutting board and set it on its side while holding it firmly with one hand, remove the stem and outermost leaves with a knife.

Wash under cold running water and at this point, get a fairly sharp knife and cut off little by little all the florets.

Step 2: Boil the cauliflower in hot salted water for five minutes and drain it with a colander afterwards. Dry it well with the help of a kitchen towel.

Step 3: Meanwhile in a large bowl, prepare the batter, with flour, spices and water, and mix well, being careful not to create lumps.

In a bowl put the breadcrumbs.

Now let’s move on to the preparation of these delicious air fryer breaded cauliflower. 

Step 4: Dip the cauliflower floret first in the batter, and then then the battered cauliflower in the breadcrumbs, helping yourself with a spoon to make the crumbs stick well to the cauliflower.

Preheat the air fryer.

Meanwhile continue to prepare all the cauliflower florets with the batter and breadcrumbs.

When ready, place the breaded cauliflower in the basket of the air fryer, not overlapping them.

Step 5: Let them cook for about 10 minutes, shaking them halfway through cooking.

Air Fryer Breaded Cauliflower

Customizations 

Make the keto version: For a low carb version substitute regular breadcrumbs with coconut flakes, pork rind crumbs or parmesan cheese + pork rind crumbs.

For the batter you can use almond flour.

Use panko breadcrumbs: For a unique crispness.

No BREADING: You can make delicious air fryer cauliflower bites even without the breadcrumbs, use seasoning spice blends such as garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder or Italian seasoning.

Or at the end of cooking, toss them with buffalo sauce or hot sauce.

Gluten-sensitive: Use gluten-free flour for the batter and gluten-free breadcrumbs or cornmeal or even sugar-free corn flakes for the coating.

Recipe Notes & Tips:

Don’t leave out the olive oil: When cooking breaded foods with an air fryer, I always recommend using little oil to ensure crispness.

To make sure the oil is evenly distributed, use an oil spray.

Cook in a single layer: Spread the cauliflower evenly in the air fryer basket. Don’t over crowd the basket.

Uniformly sized cauliflower: For best results, cut the cauliflower into pieces of the same size to ensure even cooking.

See also:

How To Serve Crispy Cauliflowers

I served them simply with mayonnaise mixed with with some sweet chili sauce.

I mixed 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and a tablespoon of sweet chili sauce.

That simple!

Crispy Cauliflowers with sauce

You can also serve them with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce.

FAQ’s

Storing Your Leftover

You can store in the fridge in a airtight container for up to 2 days.

To reheat cauliflower I would recommend to do in the air fryer, for keep its crispiness you need to reheat it in the air fryer!

For best results, heat the cauliflower in the air fryed for few minutes.

Can I freeze Breaded Cauliflower?

Yes, you can freeze it.

To freeze it, place the breaded cauliflower in a baking sheet covered with baking paper, and do not overlap them. 

Let them harden for a couple of hours, and then you can transfer them to a freezer bag.

How do you cook frozen breaded cauliflower in an air fryer?

Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).

Place the breaded cauliflower in the basket, not overlapping them.

Cook them for 15/17 minutes, remembering to shake the basket every 5 minutes.

Can I Put Crispy Cauliflowers In the oven?

Yes.

​​Prepare the baking pan with baking paper and preheat the oven to 200°C.

Place the cauliflower in the baking dish and pour a drizzle of olive oil over it.

Bake at 200 C degrees in the oven for 25 minutes. 

Do I precook the cauliflower?

Yes, I only boil them for 5 minutes to make them softer.

Can You Use Frozen Cauliflower?

Yes for this version you can. Boil them for 5 minutes and then dry them well with paper towels and proceed with the recipe.

Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe

Air Fryer Breaded Cauliflower

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Yield: 4

Air Fryer Breaded Cauliflower

Air fryer cauliflower

Crispy cauliflower recipe, a delicious and fun way to eat cauliflower!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Cauliflower
  • 1 Cup of white flour
  • 1 Cup of water
  • 1 Tablespoon of paprika
  • Half a tablespoon of garlic salt
  • Black pepper
  • Olive oil

Instructions

  1. First wash the cauliflower well and divide all the florets, making sure to cut them small.
  2. Parboiling (means quickly boiling)  them for about 5 minutes in boiling salted water and then let them dry well.
  3. Meanwhile, let's prepare the batter.
  4. In a bowl, sift the flour. To the flour add the paprika, garlic salt and a little black pepper, and mix together.
  5. Add the water slowly and mix to perfection with a whisk to avoid forming annoying lumps, When we have obtained a smooth and homogeneous batter, we set it aside.
  6. In another bowl, pour in the breadcrumbs.
  7. Preheat the the air fryer to 200°C (400°F)
  8. Take the cauliflower florets and pass first in the batter and then in the breadcrumbs.
  9. Place the cauliflower in the basket  and pour a drizzle of olive oil over it (or better with a spray oil). Be careful not to place them one on top of the other.
  10. Cook at 200°C for 10 minutes. Shake them halfway through cooking.
  11.  When the cauliflower is golden brown it is ready. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 185Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 620mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 5gSugar: 3gProtein: 6g

Nutrition is automatically calculated by Nutritionix - please verify all nutrition information independently and consult with a doctor or nutritionist for any and all medical and diet advice.

Did you make this recipe?

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Be Naughty…

If you want to be naughty, you can also fry them.

We all know that fried things taste better!

Fry the cauliflowers, a few at a time, in plenty of frying oil at a temperature of 175 degrees Celsius.

Once they are golden brown, drain them on absorbent paper to dry the excess oil.

I can assure you that this air fryed recipe is no less, these cauliflowers are really crispy!


 

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