Why is my roasted cauliflower tough?

Undercooking It . Overcooking is bad, but undercooking cauliflower is an equally off-putting problem. "When making cauliflower steaks or roasting florets, if you don't roast it in the oven long enough it will be warm but still hard and unenjoyable to eat," says Michalczyk.

Can you put cheese in an air fryer?

You can make things like mozzarella sticks, mac and cheese balls, and even grilled cheese in the air fryer as long as you make sure the cheese won't ooze out into your basket . Cheesy recipes that are breaded or that contain the cheese in some way work best.

Why isn't my roasted cauliflower crispy?

Like all veggies, cauliflower needs some breathing room on the pan . Otherwise, the florets will produce so much steam that they'll never turn crisp on the edges. It's better to use two pans, arranged on separate racks near the middle of the oven, than to cram too much onto one pan.

What brings out the flavour of cauliflower?

There are two really simple techniques that bring out the best in cauliflower: grilling and pickling . Dumping cauliflower florets in a mixture of salt and lemon juice for 45 minutes to an hour turns them into spiky little flavor bombs, delivering high-pitched squeaks in salads, sandwiches or the stew recipe here.

What 5 foods should you not put in an air fryer?

Take a gander of this list of top foods that should never make their way into your air fryer. Wet Batters. ... Cheesy Items. ... Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ... Baked Goods. ... Greens. ... Raw Rice and Other Grains. ... Too Much of Anything. Apr 14, 2023

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?

Air fryers work by circulating hot air, which originates at the bottom of the fryer. Lining it with foil can constrict the air flow and your food won't cook properly. If you are going to use aluminum foil in an air fryer, use a small amount in the bottom of the basket, making sure not to cover the food.

Why won't cheese melt in air fryer?

Why Doesn't My Cheese Melt in the Air Fryer? If your cheese isn't melting properly, your sandwich likely needs to be cooked longer . Make sure the bread isn't burning first, then add a couple of extra minutes to the cook time. Pre-shredded cheeses can also take longer to melt and often do not melt completely.

What happens if you overcook cauliflower?

Strain, Drain, And Dry Your Cauliflower Well Overcooking vegetables causes their structure to break down, releasing nutrients into the water . They will also release more moisture when overcooked, making everything soggy.

Why is my cauliflower not firm?

Other telltale signs of spoilage for cauliflower include mold, off-smells, slimy texture, or soft spots. Per Does it Go Bad?, cauliflower is supposed to be firm to the touch. Once you see soft spots or examples of slimy texture, the cauliflower should definitely be thrown out .

How do you know if cauliflower is overcooked?

Like all brassicas, cauliflower smells very unpleasant if overcooked, so brief cooking is essential.

Why aren't my roasted vegetables crispy?

The next time you roast vegetables, add some cornstarch . Yes, cornstarch—that box in your pantry is the secret to a super-crispy exterior on veggies, from potatoes to cauliflower. Cornstarch is commonly used to coat proteins like chicken or beef to achieve a crispy exterior, so why not use it with vegetables?

Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe with Paprika and Parmesan Cheese

February 28, 2020October 26, 2023

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Air Fryer Cauliflower is seasoned perfectly with a blend of garlic powder, paprika, salt and Parmesan cheese. Roasted to perfection in the air fryer, it results in a low carb (or Keto) side dish that the whole family will love. Check out these instructions for how to make cauliflower in the air fryer (no breading).

Table of Contents

Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe

Have you jumped on the air fryer train? For Christmas, I got a Ninja Foodie 5 in 1 Indoor Grill, and I love it. It’s not like those other kitchen gadgets that sit unused in the cabinet or pantry. I find myself using it every day.

It has an indoor grill so that I can grill up my favorite Grilled Pork Steak, and it has an Air Fryer feature. My oldest loves popcorn shrimp cooked in the air fryer. So much so, that she asks for it almost every night!

Are you a roasted cauliflower fan? If you’ve yet to try it, you might start out with this traditional oven roasted cauliflower. I often will eat a whole head of cauliflower this way for a meal (no joke). Since I love cauliflower so much, I decided to conquer an air-fried Parmesan cauliflower.

I also make Air Fryer Zucchiniand Air Fryer Chickpeas.

How to Make Cauliflower in Air Fryer

Please read the user’s manual on your particular air fryer.It should state the recommended time and temperatures on all different foods, including cauliflower.

The seasoning blend for this low carb cauliflower consists of paprika, garlic powder, salt and Parmesan cheese. I always have all of these ingredients on hand as these are pantry staples in our house.

Ingredient List for Air Fryer Cauliflower (no breading)

When I’m looking for new recipes, the first thing I look at is the ingredient list. If it’s something I don’t normally have, I pass. Are you like that?

Olive Oil
Garlic Powder
Salt
Paprika or Smoked Paprika
Grated Parmesan
Cauliflower Florets, cut into 1-inch pieces

How to air fry cauliflower?

Step by Step Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees F (or whatever your device recommends for cauliflower).
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, paprika and salt. Add cauliflower to the air fryer basket and stir until completely coated.
Air fry cauliflower for approximately 15-20 minutes or until your desired crispness is achieved. Check and stir every 5 minutes.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

For the full recipe steps and ingredient amounts for low carb air fryer cauliflower, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Recipe Variations

Use avocado oil or coconut oil.
Change up the spices to your preference. Try curry powder, onion powder, chili powder, ground cumin, etc.
Season with black pepper to taste.
Use a different vegetable such as air fryer Brussel sprouts.
Take a short cut by using a packaged taco seasoning or ranch dressing mix.
Use a dipping sauce!

Recipe FAQs

All air fryers are unique.Check your user manual for recommended temperature and time for cauliflower.
Watching your salt intake? Reduce the amount of salt as much as you desire.
I like a roasty, toasty cauliflower. However, if you like yours with more bite to it, then cut down the time.
Stir the cauliflower every 5 minutes while cooking to make sure it is evenly cooked and to check the doneness.
I use the cheap grated Parmesan in the green container.
This air fryer cauliflower fits in a keto or low carb diet.

Our Favorite Easy Side Dish Recipes

Fancy side dishes with lots of ingredients and longer baking times are find and dandy for holiday meals. However, when we are trying to get dinner on the table in between homework, practice and a dozen other commitments, we need quick and easy side dish options! Here are some of of favorites:

Easy Rice Pilaf with Peas

Sweet and Sour Green Beans with Bacon

Easy Pan Fried Zucchini

Skillet Macaroni and Cheese

Air Fryer Cauliflower – How to Make Cauliflower in Air Fryer

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Air Fryer Cauliflower, air fryer cauliflower no breading, Air Fryer Parmesan Cauliflower, Air Fryer Roasted Cauliflower, how to make cauliflower in air fryer

Servings: 6

Calories: 74kcal

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower, washed and cut into 1 inch pieces
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt (or less, if needed)

Instructions

Rinse cauliflower, pat dry and cut into 1 inch pieces.
Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees F on air fry mode. Check your user manual to see if this is the recommended temperature for cauliflower.
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, Parmesan cheese and salt;
Add cut up cauliflower and stir until completely coated.
Add cauliflower to air fryer; cook for approximately 15 minutes, checking every 5 minutes to stir. It may take more or less time based on your particular air fryer.

Notes

All air fryers are unique. Check your user manual for recommended temperature and time for cauliflower.
Watching your salt intake? Reduce the amount of salt as much as you desire.
I like a roasty, toasty cauliflower. However, if you like yours with more bite to it, then cut down the time.
Stir the cauliflower every 5 minutes while cooking to make sure it is evenly cooked and to check the doneness.
I use the cheap grated Parmesan in the green container.
This air fryer cauliflower fits in a keto or low carb diet.
If you want to try an oven roasted cauliflower, here is my basic recipe.
The nutritional information is auto-calculated and can vary depending on the products used.

Nutrition

Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe with Paprika and Parmesan Cheese - These Old Cookbooks (2024)