Crispy air fryer cauliflower tossed with Parmesan cheese makes an easy, flavorful side dish. Quick, hands-off, and perfect for weeknight dinners. Oven-roasted instructions included, too!
If you're looking for an easy, flavorful side, this air fryer cauliflower recipe is a game-changer.
The florets get perfectly crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and are coated in savory Parmesan for a simple, irresistible dish.
I love how quick and hands-off it is-you just toss the cauliflower with a few ingredients and let the air fryer do the work.
It's naturally low-carb, packed with fiber and-most importantly-it tastes incredible!
It's perfect for weeknight dinners, serving alongside baked cod or pasta, or whenever you want a fuss-free, delicious vegetable.
If you like easy side dishes, this recipe is for you.
Jump to:
Quick Overview
- Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes (air fryer) or 25-30 minutes (oven)
- Total Time: 15-25 minutes (air fryer) / 30-40 minutes (oven)
- Yield: Serves 4-6
- Equipment Needed: Air fryer (or baking sheet and oven)
- Serving Suggestions: Serve this Parmesan roasted cauliflower as a side with this baked cod recipe, grilled chicken, or Italian-inspired mains.
Mise en place
To get lots of crispy edges, we need high temperatures. So the first thing we are going to do is preheat our appliances.
- If using the oven, preheat to 425℉ (220°C)-place the rack in the lower third of the oven.
- For the air fryer, preheat to 400° F (200°C).
As with most vegetable side dishes, there is a little chopping and prepping.
How to cut fresh cauliflower
Let’s begin by removing the large leaves at the base of the cauliflower. This will expose the large stem.
With a paring knife, cut around this core to remove it.
With your fingers, gently snap off the florets from the base.
Depending on the size of the floret, slice it in half or quarters.
Notice there is very little mess left behind. Place the cut cauliflower florets in a colander and rinse under running water. Towel dry and set them aside.
Instructions
Toss all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Specifically, ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, 4-5 cloves of garlic cut in half, and ½-1 teaspoon red chili flakes. Add kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Please note that the chili is optional.
Additional seasonings can include sprigs of thyme or rosemary.
How to oven-bake cauliflower
Place them in a single layer on the pan or baking sheet with the flat side down. Leave enough space between the pieces so that they can crisp up nicely.
Bake in a hot oven preheated to 425℉ (220°C) for about 25-30 minutes. Turn them over after 15 minutes.
Taste for doneness.
How to air-fry cauliflower
Place directly on the air fryer basket and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes.
Note: I placed a pan on my oven’s lower level to “catch” any drops of olive oil.
Taste for doneness.
The Final Touch
When almost done, spread ½ cup of pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese directly over the florets.
Bake or air-fry for a few more minutes.
Remove and drizzle the tops with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Garnish with minced parsley and freshly grated cheese, and serve immediately.
And there you have it! The final result is a great cauliflower recipe that makes the perfect side!
Tips
- Always preheat your oven or air fryer. High temperatures are essential in achieving that crispy texture.
- Dry properly. Use clean tea towels to remove that extra moisture to obtain those crunchy cauliflower bites.
- Uniform size ensures even roasting. Cut the florets the same size.
- Properly coat each floret. Combining and mixing the ingredients in a bowl ensures the entire florets are properly coated.
- Place the flat side down. This simple step maximizes the surface area for crispy florets.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan.
- Baking temperatures for the air fryer are just a guideline; make sure to consult your manual.
FAQ
According to this produce converter, a 2-pound head of cauliflower provides 3-4 cups of florets.
Yes. Go ahead and use your favorite herbs and spices; you really can’t go wrong. Italian seasonings, smoked paprika, cajun, turmeric and curry powder are just some examples.
More Roasted Vegetable Side Dishes
If you love easy vegetable sides like this air fryer cauliflower, here are a few more roasted veggie recipes I make on repeat.
Recipe Inspiration
My kids used to call this "crispy cauliflower" more than 25 years ago, and it's still one of those vegetable sides I come back to again and again. I've been roasting vegetables for decades, and I love how high heat transforms simple ingredients into something deeply flavorful.
In recent years, I've started using the air fryer for roasting vegetables, especially on busy weeknights. It cuts the cooking time almost in half while still giving you those crispy edges and tender centers that make roasted vegetables so satisfying.
If you enjoy easy vegetable side dishes made in the air fryer, you might also like these air fryer potatoes, crinkle cut fries, air fryer eggplant, or zucchini sticks-recipes I make often and rely on when I need something quick and dependable.
Both oven roasting and air frying bring out cauliflower's naturally nutty flavor, but in my experience, the air fryer version is the one that disappears first at the table.
Enjoy!
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
If you are interested, the air fryer I am using is the Breville Smart Toaster Oven. Head on over to my amazon store for all the details.
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
If you haven't already joined, here is the link where you can sign up for my weekly e-mail newsletter. This way, you won't miss any of my new recipes and it's absolutely free!
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have tried this baked or air-fried cauliflower recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Recipe
Air Fryer Cauliflower: Easy Side Dish
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Enter you email below and I’ll send the link to your inbox.
PLUS, be the first to get newly published recipes!
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower washed, trimmed and cut into florets
- ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin
- 1 head garlic cloves cut in halves
- ½-1 teaspoon chili flakes or to taste, optional
- 4-6 sprigs thyme fresh
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup pecorino romano cheese or Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed, optional
- additional grated cheese and minced parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- If using the oven, preheat to 425℉ (220°C). Place rack in the lower third of the oven.If using an air fryer, preheat to 400° F (200°C).
- Place cauliflower florets in a large bowl.
- Add olive oil, garlic, chili flakes, thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss together thoroughly to evenly coat the cauliflower.
- Spread the cauliflower on a sheet pan or air fryer basket large enough to space out evenly and accommodate in a single layer.
- For Oven: Bake at 425℉ (220°C) for about 25-30 minutes. Turn them over after 15 minutes.For Air Fryer: Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes.
- Taste for doneness.
- When almost done, spread ½ cup of pecorino romano cheese or Parmesan cheese directly on the florets.Â
- Bake or air-fry for a few more minutes.
- Remove from the oven. If using, drizzle the tops with lemon juice.
- Garnish with minced parsley, freshly grated cheese and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Always preheat your oven or air fryer. High temperatures are essential in achieving that crispy texture.
- Dry properly. To obtain the crispiest cauliflower, use clean tea towels to get that extra moisture out.
- Uniform size ensures even roasting. Cut the florets the same size.
- Properly coat each floret. Combining and mixing the ingredients in a bowl ensures the entire florets are properly coated.Â
- Place flat side down. This simple step maximizes the surface area for crispy florets.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan.
- Baking temperatures for the air fryer are just a guideline. Make sure to consult your manual.
Nutrition
I originally published this article on February 4, 2020, and republished it on February 11, 2026, with updated content and a video. Thanks for sharing!
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Enter you email below and I'll send the link to your inbox.
PLUS, be the first to get newly published recipes!
Elizabeth
next level goodness!
Maria
How wonderful! Thanks, Elizabeth!
Deb
Delish! … been wanting to try some oven baked cauliflower so I used this recipe with change on a few spices and definitely a keeper!
Maria
How wonderful Deb! Thanks so much for sharing!
Christina Conte
Looks scrumptious! I’m not a cauliflower fan, but I think this would change me!
Maria
Thanks Christina! Yes, roasting this vegetable is definitely a game-changer.
Donna
This was delicious, a quick and easy side dish. It has the added bonus of smelling wonderful while cooking. Thanks!
Maria
My pleasure Donna, so glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment, appreciate it.
Val
Made this roasted cauliflower for supper tonight and everyone loved it! Great recipe, thanks Maria!
Maria
Thrilled to hear you enjoyed it Val! Thanks for taking the time to comment, appreciate it!