Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites
Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites are super simple and deliciously crispy! Make this crunchy fried cauliflower with a handful of ingredients in a flash with the air fryer.
I despised cauliflower with a passion — until I met my air fryer. I couldn’t even stand the smell of cauliflower cooking on the stove, and there was no way I was eating any.
Now, I make these Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites almost weekly! I’m still not crazy about the smell but love the taste. I can eat them raw with some dip, cooked with a mild cheese sauce, or mixed in a recipe. I’ve even made pizza crust out of cauliflower!
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
- Cauliflower: Be sure to chop the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. You also want them to be evenly sized so everything cooks together!
- Flour: You can use any flour for this recipe! You just need a thin coating on the raw cauliflower to help the coating stick.
- Eggs: The best fried foods are dipped in a little egg wash! This will help the breadcrumbs stick to the cauliflower.
- Breadcrumbs: I use Panko breadcrumbs for this recipe, but you can use any variety! If you want to make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
- Parmesan cheese: I love the extra saltiness and flavor from the cheese in the fry breading. Garnish the cooked cauliflower with a little extra to serve, too!
- Italian seasoning: You can use a store-bought Italian blend or make your own with basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram.
- Garlic powder: I love the sweetness of garlic powder without that raw garlic bite! It’s a great seasoning for almost any savory dish.
This easy air fryer recipe may not be the healthiest of ways to eat cauliflower, but it tastes good! Add a small dish of ranch sauce for dipping, and you will have a yummy starter that reminds me a little of something you’d eat at a restaurant.
How To Make Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites
Follow along to learn how to make air fryer cauliflower bites!
- Step One: Prep all your ingredients for an easy breading station. Put the flour in one shallow bowl, beat the eggs in a second bowl, and mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a third bowl.
- Step Two: To bread the cauliflower, dip it in the bowl of flour first. Toss it to coat all the bumps and sides.
- Step Three: Tap off any excess flour and dip the dusted cauliflower in the egg wash.
- Step Four: Roll the cauliflower in the Panko breadcrumbs until completely coated.
- Step Five: Preheat the air fryer. Layer the florets in a single layer and cook until perfectly golden brown. I like to shake the basket every few minutes to keep it from sticking.
How to Cut Cauliflower
It’s important to cut the cauliflower evenly so everything cooks together. But how do you chop cauliflower without losing a finger?
First, remove the leaves and wash the cauliflower thoroughly. Make sure it’s dry before seasoning and air frying.
Cut off most of the stalk so the cauliflower head can sit flat on your cutting board. Then, cut it in half and remove the core. Most of the florets will separate on their own, but you may need to chop some of the larger pieces.
Are Cauliflower Leaves and Stems Edible?
Absolutely! I always remove the leaves when cutting my cauliflower, but you can keep some stem on these air fryer cauliflower bites!
If you have a lot of excess cauliflower when you’re trimming, save it! You can roast it for another dish or throw it in a stock pot for a delicious veggie broth.
What To Serve With It
Keep the oven off tonight with this amazing slow cooker lasagna recipe made with ravioli! Combine your two favorite Italian dinners with one amazing Crockpot dish. It’s so cheesy and easy to freeze, too.
These are a great finger food appetizer for a dinner party or tailgate, too! Add more air-fried recipes to your table with these stuffed crescent rolls filled with mozzarella cheese. Yum!
Every dinner needs a dessert — and the air fryer is great for making these chocolate croissants! Stuffed with Nutella, everyone loves this delicious and easy dessert.
Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fried Potato Chips
- Air Fryer Pizza Buns
- Mozzarella Balls in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Pizza
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
- Air Fryer Corn Ribs
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
You’ll also like this Cauliflower Rice Enchilada Bowl.
Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.
Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites
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Ingredients
- ½ head cauliflower stems trimmed short and cut into bite sized pieces
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs beaten
- ¾ cup Panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- You’ll need three shallow bowls or resealable containers. Put the flour in the first one. In the second one, beat the eggs. In the third bowl, stir the Panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder and black pepper.
- Take the Cauliflower and place it in the first bowl. Toss to coat, or put the lid on and shake. Working in batches tap the excess flour off the Cauliflower and dip it in the egg. Then place in the Panko Crumbs. Toss to coat or again put the lid on and shake. Remove to a plate and repeat with remaining cauliflower.
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F. Set for 11 minutes cook time. Once preheated, place in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 11 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Can you baked them in a traditional oven if you do t have an air fryer?
Yes, you can!
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Using a higher temperature helps achieve a crispy exterior similar to an air fryer.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking and promotes even browning. For extra crispiness, you can lightly spray the parchment with cooking oil.
Once your cauliflower is coated in flour, egg, and the Panko mixture, spread the pieces out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes. Flip the cauliflower halfway through the baking time to promote even crisping and golden color. The exact time may vary depending on your oven and the size of your cauliflower pieces, so keep an eye on them.
The bites are done when they are golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven and serve immediately while hot.
Do you have a recipe for a dip for the cauliflower.
Hi Agatha,
I have a few dip recipes!
Creamy Salsa Dip: https://www.simplystacie.net/2017/05/creamy-salsa-dip/
Lemon Dill Dip: https://www.simplystacie.net/2017/06/lemon-dill-dip/
You could also dip them in regular salad dressing. Ranch is really good!
These sound so wonderful. I can’t wait to try them.
I want to thank you once again for a fabulous recipe, of which I am making at 3 pm tomorrow. You are wonderful.
looks sooo good! 🙂