Description

A quick and easy air fryer recipe for crispy garlic Parmesan cauliflower that’s perfect for busy weeknights. This flavorful side dish features a crunchy texture with a savory garlic and Parmesan coating.

Ingredients

Scale

1 medium head cauliflower (about 600g / 1.3 lbs), cut into bite-sized florets
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 50g)
½ cup panko breadcrumbs (about 50g)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

Wash and dry the cauliflower thoroughly. Cut into bite-sized florets about 1 to 1.5 inches each.
In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Toss cauliflower florets in the mixture until evenly coated.
In a separate bowl, mix freshly grated Parmesan with panko breadcrumbs.
Add the Parmesan-panko mixture to the cauliflower bowl and toss gently until every floret is coated.
Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) if required. Arrange cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 7-8 minutes, shake or flip florets, then cook another 6-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Transfer to a serving plate and serve immediately. Optionally, sprinkle extra Parmesan and drizzle olive oil.

Notes

Dry cauliflower thoroughly to ensure crispiness. Cook in a single layer to avoid steaming. Freshly grate Parmesan for best melting and browning. Shake or flip halfway through cooking. Reheat leftovers in air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 1 cup of cooke
Calories: 180
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 350
Fat: 12
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 10
Fiber: 4
Protein: 7

Keywords: air fryer, cauliflower, garlic, Parmesan, crispy, easy weeknight dinner, vegetarian, side dish