Air Fryer Crispy Breaded Cauliflower Bites Recipe
Delicious and healthy Air Fryer Crispy Breaded Cauliflower Bites, featuring tender cauliflower florets coated in a flavorful seasoned breadcrumb mixture and air fried to perfection for a crunchy, guilt-free snack or appetizer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
Breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crispiness)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the cauliflower: Wash and cut the cauliflower into evenly sized bite-sized florets to ensure even cooking.
- Set up breading stations: Place the flour in a shallow bowl. In a second bowl, beat the eggs until smooth. In a third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Bread the cauliflower: Dip each cauliflower floret first into the flour, coating evenly, then into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to adhere the breadcrumbs well.
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Air fry the florets: Arrange the breaded cauliflower florets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap to allow even crisping. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure all sides become golden brown and crispy.
- Serve and enjoy: Once cooked, remove the cauliflower bites carefully and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch, spicy mayo, or marinara.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for an even crunchier texture.
- Adjust spices in the breadcrumb mixture to your taste preferences—try adding cayenne pepper for heat or Italian seasoning for herbal notes.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure crispiness.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
Keywords: cauliflower bites, air fryer cauliflower, crispy cauliflower, vegetarian appetizer, healthy snacks
