Garlic Herb Air-Fried Cauliflower (Vegan)

Crispy air-fried cauliflower bursting with garlic and herb flavors! This easy vegan side dish turns simple cauliflower into golden perfection in under 20 minutes.

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Recipe

Servings: 4

Calories: ~105 per serving

Total Time: 20 minutes

Garlic Herb Air-Fried Cauliflower (Vegan)

Ingredients:

• 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil)

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ¼ teaspoon onion powder

• ½ teaspoon paprika (regular, not smoked)

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley

• Zest of ½ lemon

• Optional for finishing: extra drizzle of olive oil or squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Prepare the cauliflower: In a large mixing bowl, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.

2. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for about 3 minutes.

3. Air fry the cauliflower: Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.

4. Add fresh flavor: Transfer the cauliflower to a serving bowl. Immediately toss with lemon zest and chopped parsley.

5. Optional finishing touch: Drizzle with a little more olive oil or a fresh squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

Nutritional Value (per serving):

• Calories: ~105

• Protein: ~3g

• Carbohydrates: ~7g

• Fat: ~7g

• Fiber: ~3g

Storage Instructions:

Store any leftover cauliflower in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes to restore crispiness. Freezing is not recommended, as it can make the cauliflower soggy.

Ingredients

Flavors

Prepare the cauliflower

Air fry the cauliflower

Turn

Enjoy with some parsley and lemon juice

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Prompt

Had some cauliflower and very little time before dinner. So I asked ChatGPT for help:

Air fried cauliflower recipe? Would be nice if slightly elevated

It gave me a good looking recipe:

Alright, let’s make a slightly elevated air-fried cauliflower recipe — something a little fancier but still easy to pull off.

Crispy Parmesan Herb Air-Fried Cauliflower

Ingredients:

• 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil)

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley (optional: a little fresh basil too if you want extra brightness)

• Zest of ½ lemon

• Optional for serving: lemon wedges, extra Parmesan

Instructions:

1. Prep the cauliflower: In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.

2. Add Parmesan: Sprinkle the Parmesan over the cauliflower and toss again. It should stick nicely thanks to the oil.

3. Air fry:

   • Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.

   • Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer (you might need to do two batches depending on your air fryer size).

   • Air fry for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crispy on the edges.

4. Finish: Transfer to a serving plate. While still hot, sprinkle with lemon zest and chopped parsley.

5. Serving idea: Serve with a side of garlic aioli, ranch, or even a lemony yogurt dip.

Nutritional Value (per serving, based on 4 servings):

• Calories: ~120

• Protein: ~5g

• Carbs: ~8g

• Fat: ~8g

• Fiber: ~3g

Would you also want a second version that's even more “elevated” — like using a spiced honey drizzle or a tahini sauce?(We can get a little extra fancy if you want.)

But I didn't want cheese:

No cheese

That's it :-) Scroll to the top or click the link below for the final recipe.

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