Cauliflower goes from bland to genuinely good the moment it gets proper colour on it, and the air fryer is very good at that. Cut the florets flat on one side so they sit face down and char rather than rolling around browning nothing.
Everything you need
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp chipotle paste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1¼ tsp fine salt
- 2 cups red cabbage, shredded
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- ½ cup (123 g) yogurt
- 8 small tortillas
- ¼ cup fresh coriander
Single layer, always. Crowding the basket steams food instead of crisping it. Tap any ingredient to open its converter.
Method
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Toss the florets with the oil, paprika, cumin, chipotle, garlic powder and salt until evenly coated and slightly orange.
For this step
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp chipotle paste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1¼ tsp fine salt
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Preheat the air fryer to 200°C / 400°F for 3 minutes, then tip in the cauliflower in a single layer, cut sides down.
For this step
- 1 large head cauliflower
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Air fry for 10 minutes without touching it. Leaving it alone is what builds the char, so resist shaking early.
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Shake once and cook another 6 to 8 minutes, until the edges are properly blackened in places and a knife slides in easily.
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Meanwhile toss the cabbage with the lime juice and a pinch of salt, and thin the yogurt with a splash of water.
For this step
- 1¼ tsp fine salt
- 2 cups red cabbage
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- ½ cup (123 g) yogurt
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Warm the tortillas, pile in the cauliflower and slaw, spoon over the yogurt and finish with coriander and more lime.
For this step
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- ½ cup (123 g) yogurt
- 8 small tortillas
- ¼ cup fresh coriander
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Air fryer notes
- Cook at 200°C / 400°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
Cook's tips
- Charred is the goal, not golden. Cauliflower needs real colour to lose its raw brassica flavour, so take it further than looks comfortable.
- Don't crowd the basket. Two batches beats one crowded one every time, since piled florets steam each other pale.
Make it your own
- Swap in broccoli, or add a drained tin of chickpeas for the last 8 minutes.
- Use a buffalo sauce instead of the chipotle mix and serve with blue cheese dressing.
Storing & reheating
The cauliflower keeps for 3 days and re-crisps at 200°C for 4 minutes. Keep slaw and yogurt separate, or everything goes limp.
Frequently asked
How long does cauliflower take in an air fryer?
Around 16 to 18 minutes at 200°C for medium florets. Smaller ones char in 12, and a whole head takes closer to 35.
How many grams is a cup of yogurt?
About 245 g per US cup, so the ½ cup here is roughly 123 g. Thin it with water or lime juice to make it drizzleable.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
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A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.