Let us make this frozen cauliflower in air fryer using very little spices and oil; and transform this frozen boring veggie into a delicious meal, with very little effort. This roasted frozen cauliflower is spiced with cumin and red chili powder that gives it a gorgeous color and aroma. It is the next best thing to fill your wraps and gyros with.
You know I love to air fry my veggies. Today I am going to air fry frozen cauliflower. So let us get started.
Why does this recipe work?
This cauliflower recipe works as:
- Air frying is the simplest, fuss-free way to cook frozen vegetables to finish deliciousness.
- There is no need to thaw the frozen cauliflower.
- You do not need to use any oil if you do not want to. The air fryer does not take much time to preheat like oven.
- Air frying cauliflower is quick or rather the quickest and healthy way to make crispy cauliflower.
- Also, you do not have to preheat anything. Air frying cauliflower is as quick as cooking can get.
- They are as good as pan-roasted, instant pot made, or oven roasted frozen cauliflower.
- The air fryer cooks them evenly throughout.
Ingredients required to make frozen cauliflower in an air fryer
Frozen cauliflower
So mainly we need some frozen cauliflower. Use whatever brand you gave on hand. This recipe will work as such for fresh cauliflower also. Fresh cauliflower air fries very nicely at the same air fryer settings.
If you are planning to use fresh cauliflower, wash and separate the cauliflower florets. Cut them to get even-sized pieces to get the best results. We do not have much control over the frozen cauliflower. They have pieces of varied sizes. I have tried various brands over the years, but they all have the same issue.
This recipe can be used as such for making air fryer frozen broccoli also.
Cooking oil
I have used 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in this air fryer frozen cauliflower recipe. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other oil of your choice.
Salt and spices
I am using salt, black pepper, red chili powder, garlic powder, and ground cumin.
Cumin gives it a dense flavor that goes well with the garlic. Overall, you will love your cauliflower if you cook it with all this spice mix. Though feel free to add additional spices if you like. Consider adding onion powder and fresh herbs to further enrich these air-fried cauliflowers. You can also add buffalo sauce, any other hot sauce, or barbecue sauce. It is totally up to you which way you wanna take this recipe. But I recommend at least making them as such. This air-fried cauliflower recipe will not disappoint you.
Now that you have all the ingredients. Let us air fry frozen cauliflower.
Instructions to air fry frozen cauliflower
Step 1: Prepare the spice mix
In a bowl add oil and all the spices with salt. Mix them well so that all spices are uniformly distributed in the mixture.
Step 2: Coat the frozen cauliflower in spice mix
Empty the bag of frozen cauliflower into the bowl and using a fork move them around so that they get coated with the spices and oil as evenly as possible.
Step 3: Air fry frozen cauliflower
Now, transfer the cauliflower into the air fryer basket. Spread them as evenly as possible. If the frozen cauliflower florets are of uneven sizes like mine, keep the smaller pieces towards the center and larger on the periphery. Why?
Because the food on the outer periphery tends to cook faster than that in the center. So if the larger florets are sitting in the center of the basket and smaller ones at the borders, there is a possibility that the tiny florets can get burnt by the time the larger ones in the center fully cook.
Now turn on the air fryer to 4000F and let them air fry for 7 minutes. Then, pull out the air fryer basket and air fry them for additional 4-5 minutes or until the air fryer cauliflower is done (at the same temperature).
For making plain air-fried cauliflower
If you are just air frying the frozen cauliflower as such and just intend to serve them with some sauce, just follow step number 3.
First, give them a quick cooking oil spray, and then, air fry them at 400 0F for a total of 10-12 minutes while shaking and turning them halfway through the air frying duration.
How to serve air-fried frozen cauliflower?
This spiced and air-fried cauliflower makes a great side dish. You can serve it alongside any dish. I love to fill them into wraps and gyros. They can also be enjoyed with rice and topped with a sauce of your choice. Or simply serve them with some flatbread like roti, naan, or pita bread.
The pain cauliflower goes great with any dipping sauce of your choice. I like to serve them with garlic cilantro sauce. I love to use them to make gobhi ki sabzi ( cauliflower sabzi) by adding them to the masala prepared in a pan. ( will share the recipe soon)
Storage and reheating instructions
Refrigerate the leftover cauliflower in an air-tight bag for 1-2 days. For reheating you can air fry them at 400 0F for 3-4 minutes or microwave them.
Pro tips for making frozen cauliflower in an air fryer
- Place the frozen cauliflower in the air fryer in a single layer. Never overcrowd or overlap the food in an air fryer. If you are just using a bag of frozen cauliflower of about 12 oz, this will not be your concern. But if you are air frying a large batch, make sure that there are gaps for air circulation.
- Do not forget to flip or rotate them halfway through the cooking time. This ensures even cooking on all sides.
- You can also add the spices at the end when the cauliflower is cooked.
- If you do not want to make your air fryer messy and root for a mess-free air frying. Use air fryer silicon mats or punched parchment paper. They do not hamper the air circulation and prevent the air fryer from getting messy. They are also easy to clean and maintain.
- It is always a good idea to open the air fryer and check for the doneness 2-3 minutes before the suggested time. Pull out the air fryer basket before the lowest given cook time in a recipe and see for yourself, how much more time you need.
Frequently asked questions
To cook the cauliflower florets uniformly in an air fryer make sure that you make them into equal pieces. Also, place them out evenly in the air fryer basket. Take care not to overcrowd the basket.
But if you are using a bag of frozen cauliflower, you are bound to have uneven florets. In that case place the smaller florets at the center of the basket and the larger ones towards the edges. The food on the edges of the air fryer cooks faster than that at the center. This will prevent the smaller florets from burning.
An air fryer is great for cooking frozen vegetables. I use it to air fry most of my frozen veggies. Be it the frozen okra or frozen Brussel sprouts.
You will love your veggies and squashes like spaghetti squashes air-fried.
Frozen cauliflower takes 10-12 minutes total time to air fry at 400 0F. This is the duration for a 12 oz bag of frozen cauliflower. But if you are air frying a larger batch, it may take double the time.
Also, every air fryer takes a few minutes more or less. It is a good idea to open the air fryer basket and check for yourself, how much more time do you need.
Yes, you can cook frozen cauliflower without oil. The plain air-fried cauliflower shown in the image in the above section is cooked without oil. Oil is optional for air frying the frozen or fresh vegetables.
Yes, cauliflower can be eaten raw. Make sure to wash them thoroughly and the chemical pesticides and fertilizers residues get locked into the florets over time. I like to use hot water to wash the cauliflower florets after I have separated them from the head. They can be enjoyed raw with some dipping sauce. Serve them alongside, raw broccoli and carrots with your favorite dipping sauce.
Why not? You can use the frozen cauliflower to make whatever cauliflower-based recipe you intend to make. And I am not talking about making frozen cauliflower recipes in an air fryer but across all types of cooking equipment. The only catch is to avoid using the frozen cauliflower for deep-fried recipes. I use frozen cauliflower to make air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings in an oven as well as in an air fryer.
More frozen air fryer recipes
Air fryer is a great piece of kitchen equipment when it comes to cooking frozen foods. You can use it to cook frozen veggies as well as frozen meals. A few air fryer frozen recipes that might interest you are as follows.
- How to make Frozen Brussel Sprouts in Air Fryer?
- Make frozen burgers in air fryer (Frozen veggie burger)
- How to cook frozen pizza bites (veggie pizza rolls) in air fryer
- How to fry frozen okra in air fryer? Breaded and plain cut okra
- Frozen potstickers in air fryer: The best way to make frozen dumplings
- Frozen spring rolls in air fryer: Quick, easy, and crispy!
- Best way to cook frozen garlic bread in air fryer
I hope you will love this simple, yet delicious frozen cauliflower made in air fryer. Do tell me if you liked it and do not forget to share it with your friends. Tell me your favorite cauliflower recipe in the comments.
Till then,
Make it quick and delicious.
Recipe card for making frozen cauliflower in an air fryer
Frozen cauliflower in air fryer recipe
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 12 oz frozen cauliflower bag
- 1 tbps vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon pure garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin powder I used roasted
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the spice mix
- In a bowl, add oil and all the spices with salt. Mix them well so that all spices are uniformly distributed in the mixture.
Step 2: Coat the frozen cauliflower in spice mix
- Empty the bag of frozen cauliflower into the bowl and use a fork to move them around so that they get coated with the spices and oil as evenly as possible.
Step 3: Air fry frozen cauliflower
- Now, transfer the cauliflower into the air fryer basket. Spread them as evenly as possible. If the cauliflower florets are of uneven sizes, keep the smaller pieces towards the center and larger on the periphery.
- Now set the air fryer to 4000F and let them air fry for 7 minutes. Then, pull out the air fryer basket and air fry them at 400 0F for additional 4-5 minutes or until fully done.
Notes
- Place the frozen cauliflower in the air fryer in a single layer. Never overcrowd or overlap the food in an air fryer. If you are just using a bag of frozen cauliflower of about 12 oz, this will not be your concern. But if you are air frying a large batch, make sure that there are gaps for air circulation.
- Do not forget to flip or rotate them halfway through the cooking time. This ensures even cooking on all sides.
- You can also add the spices at the end when the cauliflower is cooked.
- If you do not want to make your air fryer messy and root for a mess-free air frying. Use holes in air fryer silicon mats or punched parchment paper. They do not hamper the air circulation and prevent the air fryer from getting a mess. They are easy to clean and maintain.
- It is always a good idea to open the air fryer and check for the doneness 2-3 minutes before the suggested time. Pull out the air fryer basket before the lowest given cook time in a recipe and see for yourself, how much more time they need.
- The food on the outer periphery of the air fryer basket tends to cook faster than that in the center. So if the larger florets are sitting in the center of the basket and smaller ones at the borders, there is a possibility that the tiny florets can get burnt by the time the larger ones in the center fully cook. So, place them accordingly.
- You can also use the same temperature settings and duration to air fryer fresh cauliflower florets.
Nutrition Facts
Isabella
Highly recommend this recipe. Cauliflowers were never so easy and delicious. Even if you skip cumin powder, it is great! My go-to cauliflower recipe.
Penelope Greenbeirg
It was smoky and spicy cauliflower. My family has found a new way to eat cauliflower. And we are loving it. Thanks for the recipe.
Sophie Baldwin
The best cauliflower I ever made. Highly recommend.
Meenakshi
So, glad you liked it, Sophie.
Joanne Staker
Gosh! Loved them. Just they way I like my cauliflower. Thanks for the recipe.