Introduction

This breaded cauliflower recipe transforms simple florets into a crispy, flavorful snack or side dish using an air fryer. It’s a healthier alternative to traditional fried cauliflower, with plenty of spice and crunch to satisfy your cravings.

Breaded Cauliflower in the Air Fryer Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

16 ounces cauliflower florets (about 5 cups)
2 large eggs
1 cup panko bread crumbs
½ cup bread crumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
Oil (for spritzing)
Dip (if desired, see notes)

Instructions

Step 1: Sort through the cauliflower florets and break or chop up any larger pieces so that all the cauliflower is a similar size.
Step 2: Add the eggs to a medium-sized bowl along with 1 tablespoon of water and beat with a fork to combine.
Step 3: Add the panko, bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, and salt to a second bowl or a zip-top bag and stir or shake to combine.
Step 4: Drop the cauliflower into the bowl of egg mixture and stir well to coat each piece thoroughly.
Step 5: Use a slotted spoon to remove the cauliflower from the egg, transferring it to the panko mixture. Either stir the cauliflower in the bread crumbs to coat, or seal the bag and shake to coat evenly. The bag method gives the best coverage.
Step 6: Spritz the basket of your air fryer with oil spray. Arrange the breaded cauliflower in an even layer, leaving space between each piece for air to circulate. You may need to cook in batches.
Step 7: Spritz the cauliflower liberally with oil spray and air fry at 380°F for 8-10 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Check after 6 minutes for subsequent batches, as cooking time may be shorter once the air fryer is hot.
Step 8: Serve warm with your favorite dip if desired.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breading mixture for some heat.
Try using gluten-free bread crumbs to make this recipe gluten free.
If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the breaded cauliflower on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 425°F for about 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through.
Serve with ranch, blue cheese, or a spicy mayo dip to complement the crispy coating.

Storage

Store any leftover breaded cauliflower in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, air fry at 350°F for 4–5 minutes to crisp them back up, or use a hot oven. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cauliflower or frozen?

Fresh cauliflower is best for this recipe because it fries up crispier. If using frozen, be sure to thaw completely and pat dry to remove excess moisture before breading.

What is the best oil to use for spritzing?

A neutral oil with a high smoke point, like avocado oil or vegetable oil, works well. Olive oil can be used, but opt for light or refined versions to avoid smoking at high temperatures.

Breaded Cauliflower in the Air Fryer Recipe

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4.9 from 91 reviews

Deliciously crispy breaded cauliflower made easily in the air fryer. This recipe uses a flavorful panko and breadcrumb coating seasoned with garlic, onion, chili powder, and smoked paprika for a spicy, smoky crunch. Perfect as a healthy snack or appetizer, served with your favorite dipping sauce.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
Total Time: 20-25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Snack/Appetizer
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Cauliflower

16 ounces cauliflower florets (about 5 cups)

Breading

2 large eggs
1 tablespoon water
1 cup panko bread crumbs
½ cup bread crumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt

Other

Oil spray (for spritzing)
Dip of choice (optional)

Instructions

Prepare Cauliflower: Sort through the cauliflower florets and break or chop any larger pieces so all florets are about the same size to ensure even cooking.
Make Egg Wash: In a medium bowl, add the eggs and 1 tablespoon of water. Beat with a fork until well combined to create the egg wash.
Prepare Breading Mixture: In another bowl or zip-top bag, combine panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Stir or shake to mix evenly.
Coat Cauliflower in Egg: Drop the cauliflower florets into the egg wash and stir to coat each piece thoroughly.
Bread the Cauliflower: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the egg-coated cauliflower into the bread crumb mixture. Shake the bag or stir in the bowl to evenly coat each piece with the breading.
Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the breaded cauliflower in a single layer, leaving space between pieces for air circulation. Work in batches if necessary.
Air Fry: Spritz the tops of the breaded cauliflower with oil spray. Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy. For subsequent batches, start checking after 6 minutes as the air fryer will be hotter.
Serve: Serve the crispy air fried breaded cauliflower hot with your favorite dip if desired.

Notes

For best results, keep cauliflower florets uniformly sized.
Use an oil spray to lightly coat the cauliflower for maximum crispiness without excess oil.
You can customize the seasoning blend to your taste by adjusting chili powder or adding other spices.
Serve with ranch, garlic aioli, or your preferred dipping sauce.
Work in batches if your air fryer basket is small to avoid overcrowding.

Keywords: breaded cauliflower, air fryer cauliflower, crispy cauliflower, vegetarian snack, healthy appetizer