Description
This healthy air fry cauliflower recipe creates tender-crisp florets with a quick smoky roasted red pepper sauce. It’s an ideal weeknight side dish that adds color and flavor to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 900 g cauliflower florets
- 200 g jarred roasted red peppers, drained
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 5 g smoked paprika
- 60 ml vegetable broth
- 45 ml olive oil
- 15 ml fresh lemon juice
- 5 g sea salt
- 2 g black pepper
- 15 g fresh parsley or chives, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Cauliflower Florets: Wash and thoroughly pat dry the cauliflower florets. Cut them into uniform, bite-sized pieces.
- Blend Smoky Red Pepper Sauce: Combine the drained roasted red peppers, garlic, 2.5 g (0.5 tsp) smoked paprika, vegetable broth, 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil, lemon juice, 2.5 g (0.5 tsp) sea salt, and 1 g (0.25 tsp) black pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth, then set aside exactly half of the sauce for drizzling later.
- Coat Cauliflower with Seasoning and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with the remaining 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil, 2.5 g (0.5 tsp) smoked paprika, 2.5 g (0.5 tsp) sea salt, and 1 g (0.25 tsp) black pepper. Add the reserved half portion of the smoky sauce and toss until all florets are evenly coated.
- Preheat Air Fryer and Arrange Florets: Preheat your air fryer to 190°C (375°F). Arrange the coated florets in a single layer in the basket, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Cook Until Crispy and Tender: Air fry for 15-20 minutes total, shaking the basket vigorously halfway through cooking (at the 8-10 minute mark). The cauliflower should be tender inside with golden brown edges and slight charring.
- Serve with Reserved Sauce and Garnish: Transfer the hot cauliflower to a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the remaining reserved smoky roasted red pepper sauce and garnish with fresh parsley or chives.
Notes
To ensure crispy results, thoroughly pat the cauliflower florets dry before tossing with oil and seasonings. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed for proper air circulation. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 3-5 minutes to restore crispness, as microwaving causes sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: General
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 275 g
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 4.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: air fryer, cauliflower, roasted red pepper, smoky, side dish, vegetable, vegan, gluten-free, healthy