Air-fried Crispy Cauliflower

1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets

2 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)

½ cup breadcrumbs or panko (for gluten-free: use GF breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes)

¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional but very good)

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp paprika (smoked paprika is excellent)

1 egg, beaten

Prep the cauliflower
Wash and dry the cauliflower well
Cut into evenly sized florets (important for even cooking)
Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes
In a bowl, toss cauliflower with olive oil
Dip florets into beaten egg
In another bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika
Coat florets thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture
Place cauliflower in the air fryer basket in a single layer
Cook at 390°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through
Add 2–3 more minutes if you want deeper browning for extra crisp
Tips for Maximum Crisp: Dry cauliflower very well before coating, don’t overcrowd the basket (cook in batches if needed), panko crumbs give the best crunch, light spray of oil on top before cooking = extra crispy
Optional Flavor Variations: Buffalo: Toss cooked cauliflower in warm buffalo sauce, Cheesy: Add extra Parmesan right after cooking, Spicy: Add cayenne or chili powder to the coating, Lemon: Finish with lemon zest and a squeeze of juice
Serving Ideas: Serve with ranch, garlic aioli, or yogurt dip, as a side dish, in wraps or bowls

Course🍚Side Dish

Diets🥕Vegetarian🌾Gluten-free...

Category🥟Appetizer

Cuisine🇺🇸American

Occasions📆Everyday🎊Party

Season🔁Year-round

DifficultyEasy ⏰ 20m