With minimal prep & 6-8 minutes of cooking you can cook the best frozen cauliflower in your air fryer. With a flavor-packed rub and a bit of a spicy kick, this cauliflower is a great easy side for any meal.
Upgrade Your Frozen Veggies
I really hated cauliflower as a kid, but then I grew up and found buffalo cauliflower... That was sort of the turning point for me and cauliflower, because since then I have found so many amazing ways to make it.
And while I still love my buffalo cauliflower above all else, this is my favorite easy air fryer cauliflower recipe. Perfect for any night of the week, and so easy since we're using frozen cauliflower!
Cauliflower + A Nice Spicy Rub
About That Spice Mix
The seasoning is a little bit spicy, with so much flavor. But if you want a different flavor profile you can still follow the general recipe and add the seasonings of your choice.
If you just want to avoid the spiciness, skip the cayenne pepper or reduce the amount.
Just Season & Cook
1. Season
Pour the olive oil over the cauliflower and mix until well coated. Then mix together the spices and sprinkle over, and rub it in well in the cauliflower.
2. Cook
Spread out the cauliflower in your air fryer basket and air fry 8-10 minutes, until as soft as you like them. Flip them once halfway for the most even cook.
What to Do with Leftovers
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing: I do not recommend freezing leftovers.
Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 390°F (200°C).
More Quick & Easy Air Fryer Sides
- Air Fryer Bell Peppers13 Minutes
- Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes17 Minutes
- Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes30 Minutes
- Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes25 Minutes
- Air Fryer Baby Carrots with Honey Butter10 Minutes
- Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes30 Minutes
- Air Fryer Steak Fries25 Minutes
- Air Fryer Frozen Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts15 Minutes
Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Cauliflower
Print RateIngredients
- 3 cups frozen cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or a neutral cooking oil
- 1.5 teaspoon smoked paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper use less or exclude to make it not spicy
Instructions
- Pour the oil over the frozen cauliflower and mix well. Mix together the spices and sprinkle over the cauliflower, mix well to get the spices everywhere.3 cups frozen cauliflower, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1.5 tsp smoked paprika powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 4-5 minutes, then shake them around and air fry for 4-5 more minutes. Check if they are done (if not - add more time) then serve!
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Small bowl
- Spoon for mixing
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Anya
I can't say I wasn't skeptical about putting frozen cauliflower in my air fryer but these turned out sooooo good! I also have been eating cauliflower wrong my whole life because why eat them plain when you can add all these spices and actually enjoy it?! I cooked these to eat with the air fryer salmon patties (https://alwaysusebutter.com/air-fryer-salmon-patties/). This combo is filling and so healthy while also being delicious!