Why is my roasted cauliflower tough?

Undercooking It . Overcooking is bad, but undercooking cauliflower is an equally off-putting problem. "When making cauliflower steaks or roasting florets, if you don't roast it in the oven long enough it will be warm but still hard and unenjoyable to eat," says Michalczyk.

Does cauliflower soften when cooked?

Once the pot is covered and the water reaches a boil, the heat from the water vapor penetrates the florets, collapsing their cell walls and making them more tender. The main stem of the cauliflower also softens in the process (don't worry – it won't burn).

What brings out the flavour of cauliflower?

There are two really simple techniques that bring out the best in cauliflower: grilling and pickling . Dumping cauliflower florets in a mixture of salt and lemon juice for 45 minutes to an hour turns them into spiky little flavor bombs, delivering high-pitched squeaks in salads, sandwiches or the stew recipe here.

Why is my roasted cauliflower not crispy?

DO NOT CROWD THE PAN . This is the roasted vegetable golden rule. If you crowd the pan, the cauliflower will steam instead of roast. If your cauliflower is soggy, you likely crowded the pan.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking?

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs .

Should you rinse cauliflower before cooking?

The separated florets have to be washed properly under a tap . This removes dirt and large parasites such as worms. The next step is cleaning the cauliflower in mildly warm water in which a little salt was dissolved. This process – which should last 10-20 minutes - destroys several microbes and large parasites.

Why is my fried cauliflower mushy?

The secret to giving cauliflower the perfect texture when battering and frying, is to not parboil it. When you fry cauliflower with batter, it also cooks the cauliflower. So if you parboil beforehand , you will end up with mushy cauliflower.

Why is my cauliflower not firm?

Other telltale signs of spoilage for cauliflower include mold, off-smells, slimy texture, or soft spots. Per Does it Go Bad?, cauliflower is supposed to be firm to the touch. Once you see soft spots or examples of slimy texture, the cauliflower should definitely be thrown out .

How do you know if cauliflower is overcooked?

Like all brassicas, cauliflower smells very unpleasant if overcooked, so brief cooking is essential.

Can cauliflower be overcooked?

Overcooking cauliflower is easy , so less is better! Overcooked cauliflower has a strong odor and yellowish color due to sulfur compounds that are released. Cook cauliflower rapidly to preserve color and flavor.

Why aren't my roasted vegetables crispy?

The Oven Temp Is Too Low But, they'll turn out soft and soggy instead of crispy and caramelized. The solution: Turn the oven temperature up to 400°F to 425°F.

Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe with Paprika and Parmesan Cheese

February 28, 2020October 26, 2023

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Air Fryer Cauliflower is seasoned perfectly with a blend of garlic powder, paprika, salt and Parmesan cheese. Roasted to perfection in the air fryer, it results in a low carb (or Keto) side dish that the whole family will love. Check out these instructions for how to make cauliflower in the air fryer (no breading).

Table of Contents

Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe

Have you jumped on the air fryer train? For Christmas, I got a Ninja Foodie 5 in 1 Indoor Grill, and I love it. It’s not like those other kitchen gadgets that sit unused in the cabinet or pantry. I find myself using it every day.

It has an indoor grill so that I can grill up my favorite Grilled Pork Steak, and it has an Air Fryer feature. My oldest loves popcorn shrimp cooked in the air fryer. So much so, that she asks for it almost every night!

Are you a roasted cauliflower fan? If you’ve yet to try it, you might start out with this traditional oven roasted cauliflower. I often will eat a whole head of cauliflower this way for a meal (no joke). Since I love cauliflower so much, I decided to conquer an air-fried Parmesan cauliflower.

I also make Air Fryer Zucchiniand Air Fryer Chickpeas.

How to Make Cauliflower in Air Fryer

Please read the user’s manual on your particular air fryer.It should state the recommended time and temperatures on all different foods, including cauliflower.

The seasoning blend for this low carb cauliflower consists of paprika, garlic powder, salt and Parmesan cheese. I always have all of these ingredients on hand as these are pantry staples in our house.

Ingredient List for Air Fryer Cauliflower (no breading)

When I’m looking for new recipes, the first thing I look at is the ingredient list. If it’s something I don’t normally have, I pass. Are you like that?

Olive Oil
Garlic Powder
Salt
Paprika or Smoked Paprika
Grated Parmesan
Cauliflower Florets, cut into 1-inch pieces

How to air fry cauliflower?

Step by Step Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees F (or whatever your device recommends for cauliflower).
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, paprika and salt. Add cauliflower to the air fryer basket and stir until completely coated.
Air fry cauliflower for approximately 15-20 minutes or until your desired crispness is achieved. Check and stir every 5 minutes.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

For the full recipe steps and ingredient amounts for low carb air fryer cauliflower, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Recipe Variations

Use avocado oil or coconut oil.
Change up the spices to your preference. Try curry powder, onion powder, chili powder, ground cumin, etc.
Season with black pepper to taste.
Use a different vegetable such as air fryer Brussel sprouts.
Take a short cut by using a packaged taco seasoning or ranch dressing mix.
Use a dipping sauce!

Recipe FAQs

All air fryers are unique.Check your user manual for recommended temperature and time for cauliflower.
Watching your salt intake? Reduce the amount of salt as much as you desire.
I like a roasty, toasty cauliflower. However, if you like yours with more bite to it, then cut down the time.
Stir the cauliflower every 5 minutes while cooking to make sure it is evenly cooked and to check the doneness.
I use the cheap grated Parmesan in the green container.
This air fryer cauliflower fits in a keto or low carb diet.

Our Favorite Easy Side Dish Recipes

Fancy side dishes with lots of ingredients and longer baking times are find and dandy for holiday meals. However, when we are trying to get dinner on the table in between homework, practice and a dozen other commitments, we need quick and easy side dish options! Here are some of of favorites:

Easy Rice Pilaf with Peas

Sweet and Sour Green Beans with Bacon

Easy Pan Fried Zucchini

Skillet Macaroni and Cheese

Air Fryer Cauliflower – How to Make Cauliflower in Air Fryer

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Air Fryer Cauliflower, air fryer cauliflower no breading, Air Fryer Parmesan Cauliflower, Air Fryer Roasted Cauliflower, how to make cauliflower in air fryer

Servings: 6

Calories: 74kcal

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower, washed and cut into 1 inch pieces
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt (or less, if needed)

Instructions

Rinse cauliflower, pat dry and cut into 1 inch pieces.
Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees F on air fry mode. Check your user manual to see if this is the recommended temperature for cauliflower.
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, Parmesan cheese and salt;
Add cut up cauliflower and stir until completely coated.
Add cauliflower to air fryer; cook for approximately 15 minutes, checking every 5 minutes to stir. It may take more or less time based on your particular air fryer.

Notes

All air fryers are unique. Check your user manual for recommended temperature and time for cauliflower.
Watching your salt intake? Reduce the amount of salt as much as you desire.
I like a roasty, toasty cauliflower. However, if you like yours with more bite to it, then cut down the time.
Stir the cauliflower every 5 minutes while cooking to make sure it is evenly cooked and to check the doneness.
I use the cheap grated Parmesan in the green container.
This air fryer cauliflower fits in a keto or low carb diet.
If you want to try an oven roasted cauliflower, here is my basic recipe.
The nutritional information is auto-calculated and can vary depending on the products used.

Nutrition

Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe with Paprika and Parmesan Cheese - These Old Cookbooks (2024)