Breaded Cauliflower in the Air Fryer Recipe
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.
- 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
