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 .

Why is my roasted cauliflower tough?

Have you roasted cauliflower before and it came out tough or mushy? A common problem is either roasting it at too low a temperature or stopping once the cauliflower is tender—both mean that the florets do not caramelize.

How to cook cauliflower in the pampered chef air fryer?

To save some time, you can roast the cauliflower at 400°F (200°C) for 10–11 minutes in an air fryer.

What do you soak cauliflower in to get bugs out?

The salt and vinegar mixture will suck out all the dirt and bugs hidden inside the crevices of the cauliflower and leave you with a clean vegetable that is safe for eating. Once you toss the mucky water out, chop your cauliflower and rinse it in clean water before you get down to cooking it.

What will adding lemon juice to the water for cooking cauliflower do?

Helps retain color : Cauliflower can sometimes turn brown or lose its vibrant white color when cooked. However, the acid in lemon juice can help prevent discoloration and maintain the cauliflower's white appearance.

Why isn't my roasted cauliflower crispy?

When your cauliflower is roasting, it will give off steam – if there isn't enough space for air flow, the steam will end up making your cauliflower mushy . Leaving enough space around each piece ensures they will caramelize and crisp up.

What does baking soda do to cauliflower?

Baking soda is often used as a natural cleaning agent, and it can be used to brighten up your veggies too. Sprinkle a little in the water before boiling to prevent cauliflower from yellowing and make corn look more vibrant.

How to cook cauliflower Rachael Ray?

In a covered Dutch oven, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Cut the core away from the cauliflower and set the head into the pot and add the stock. Cover and steam until tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove and separate the cauliflower into florets.

What is the best way to cook cauliflower without losing nutrients?

Steaming and microwaving cauliflower will better preserve its vitamin content, especially the B vitamins, than if it is boiled. To microwave: Put 2 cups of florets in a shallow microwavable dish, or cover a whole head of cauliflower with plastic wrap.

Does cauliflower soak up liquid?

Cauliflower absorbs water like crazy , and the "granules" will become gummy. To keep it fluffy, just let the moisture in the cauliflower do its work.

Does cauliflower absorb marinade?

The vegetables actually absorb some of the marinade , helping to season them from the inside out. All you have to do is toss your vegetables in your favorite marinade and let them sit. That's it.

How do you keep cauliflower from getting mushy?

The key to nonmushy cauliflower lies in how you cut it: Break apart the large head into smaller florets. Now take your knife, and starting at the stem end of the floret, slice about halfway down and snap apart .

Air Fryer Whole Cauliflower Head Recipe (2024)

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If you haven't tried air fryer whole cauliflower, you need to! Simple to prepare, this low-calorie entree is satisfyingly crispy, juicy, and packed with vitamins and minerals.

Air Fryer Whole Cauliflower Head Recipe (1)

The cauliflower's nutty and sweet undertones are brought out by earthy garlic and thyme, making air fryer whole cauliflower one of the most flavorful dishes you can make. Cauliflower is also low-calorie and nutrient-dense, making this tasty dish a fantastic way to support your health.

Cooking whole cauliflower in air fryer crisps the outside while keeping the inside moist and tender. When cooked the right way, you will be surprised at how deliciously satisfying the humble cauliflower can be; this meal will become a firm favorite!

Many other cauliflower recipes ask you to cut this gorgeous brassica into steaks. But whole roasted cauliflower in air fryer is a great way to cut down on waste! Using the air fryer also means that your cauliflower won't go soggy, as it can using other methods.

Ingredients you'll need to roast a whole cauliflower head.

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

Air Fryer Whole Cauliflower Head Recipe (2)

Cauliflower head (rinsed, and the stem and leaves removed). Don't throw away those cauliflower leaves, though! You can roast the leaves in salt with a bit of oil for a yummy side or use them for soup or stock.

Melted, unsalted butter. You can switch this to dairy-free butter to make this recipe plant-based friendly.

Dried thyme, garlic cloves, and paprika. Switch your air fryer roasted cauliflower head up by experimenting with the seasonings! Some great ideas to try are onion powder, chili, and cumin.

Tools used to make the recipe.

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How to cook whole cauliflower in air fryer

First: In a small bowl, combine butter, thyme, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Brush all over the cauliflower head.

Air Fryer Whole Cauliflower Head Recipe (3)

Next: Place the whole cauliflower in the basket and cook at 360ºF for 35-40 minutes or until tender.

How long to cook cauliflower in air fryer

It takes around 40 minutes at 360°F to cook a whole roasted cauliflower. However, the exact timings will depend on your air fryer model and the cauliflower size!

To check if the cauliflower is ready to serve, poke it with a fork to see if it is tender and if the outside is a golden brown color.

What to serve with whole roasted cauliflower

This air fryer cauliflower head is gorgeous, served with nutty and satisfying simple quinoa and sweet and refreshing massaged kale and apple salad.

It's also wonderful chopped up and served in pitta bread with hummus. Serve it as a side dish with other air fryer main dishes recipes.

Air Fryer Whole Cauliflower Head Recipe (6)

How to store leftovers of a whole cauliflower

Always wrap leftover roasted whole cauliflower air fryer in heavy foil or seal it in an airtight container to store it. Leftovers will stay in the fridge for 3 to 5 days and in the freezer for 10-12 months.

It's also good to chop your roasted cauliflower into portions before freezing, making it easier to defrost and reheat.

How to reheat roasted cauliflower

You can reheat roasted cauliflower in the air fryer, oven, or stovetop. For best results, use the air fryer to make sure your cauliflower is juicy and crisp.

In the air fryer: Preheat to 350°F, and then heat the cauliflower until hot. If heating from frozen, you can do this directly in the air fryer; it will take a little longer.
In the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F, and then heat the cauliflower in the oven until it is hot all the way through. If your cauliflower is frozen, defrost it first by moving it to the refrigerator for 2-4 hours before cooking.
On the stovetop: Heat a little oil or butter in the pan, and then fry the cauliflower until it's hot. It's a good idea to chop the cauliflower into smaller chunks before heating them, as this means they will reach temperature more quickly.

Air Fryer Whole Cauliflower Head Recipe (7)

FAQ's

Can you cook cauliflower in an air fryer?

Absolutely! Air frying means that your cauliflower goes crisp outside while staying juicy in the middle. There are loads of different ways to cook cauliflower in an air fryer.

More Air Fryer Recipes to try

Air Fryer Broccoli
Air Fryer Asparagus
Easy Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Air Fryer Whole Sweet Potatoes

More Cauliflower recipes

BBQ Cauliflower Wing in Air Fryer
Air Fryer Cauliflower Tots
Buffalo Cauliflower Air Fryer Recipe (Without Flour)
Delicious Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites Recipe
Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks Recipe
Air Fryer Parmesan Cauliflower
Broccoli and Cauliflower In Air Fryer

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