Turmeric Air Fryer Cauliflower

This turmeric air fryer cauliflower is crispy, hearty, and full of flavor! It’s the perfect easy side dish for any meal!

Y’all.  It used to be that I would start off a blog talking all about my life, what was on TV, my workout, the wind, and the dog. Everything.  Now, recipe blogging has changed.  Before I even got here to write the intro, I had almost 1000 words about this recipe.  I love that blogging evolved to be more helpful to the reader. Providing step-by-step instructions, recipe swap ideas, and videos is the norm.  

I love that because when I started, I had ZERO ideas about how to cook.  I mean, I could make ramen, but that’s about it.  I learned a lot through trial and error and LOTS of failed dishes.  With how blogging has evolved, I feel like, as an industry, we can help people have fewer fails and enjoy cooking more.  And as a Dietitian, that’s why I started blogging and cooking in the first place.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t smile and cringe when I read my old recipe posts.  

I sometimes miss that connection I had with my readers.  They knew so much about me.  Like when I accidentally left the towel, I used to wring out my cauliflower shreds to make cauliflower pizza (before you could buy that at Trader Joe’s) in the washing machine, and it stunk up the whole apartment. So they lived that with me, for better or worse.  

This time I can tell you that I made this recipe using FOUR heads of cauliflower, and we ate it for a week straight.  My family was pretty anti-cauliflower by the end, but they liked it at first!  I might have been overenthusiastic trying to get enough to test, film, and take photos of.  Better too much than not enough! 

PS I LOVE adding turmeric to cauliflower, I think the taste goes together so well, AND it turns the cauliflower a beautiful shade of yellow.  Which happens to be my favorite color! 

That’s all. Enjoy friends! And tune into Friday Favorites for old-style blogging ramble 🙂 

How to Make Turmeric Air Fryer Cauliflower

It’s pretty basic!  You can start with a head of cauliflower or cauliflower florets! Start by slicing off any “moldy” or discoloration spots.  Because, let’s be honest, cauliflower molds faster than you can take it home from the store.  No reason not to eat it, just cut it off!  Remove the leaves from the stem. Then, remove the florets from the stem and discard or compost the stem and outer leaves. Next, you’ll slice your cauliflower florets into wedges.  

You could technically skip this, but I don’t recommend it.  Cutting into wedges helps it cook faster, more evenly, and you get more crispy ends and more flavor when it’s all said and done.  

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Next, you’ll add your seasonings and oil.  I’ve heard people say (but heard, I mean, I’ve received hundreds of damning comments on my IG reels, it’s really fun) that using oil defeats the point of using the air fryer.  You still NEED oil to keep food moist and create that delicious golden brown color. However, you don’t need as much oil as if you used other methods of cooking.   MMMKay? Please don’t skip the oil, but minimize it.  Besides, having fat at a meal with your veggies helps your body absorb all the nutrients from those veggies. So please don’t skip it! 

For seasonings, I did a simple blend of turmeric and seasoned salt.  It came out delicious and was so easy!  See swaps and substitutions for other ideas!

For best results, you want a single layer.  I use my air fryer insert because the nonstick coating rubbed off on my instant pot vortex, and I don’t want to pay 100 to replace it.  You can put yours directly in the basket, but the cooking time and process remain the same. (PS I also like the insert for clean-up purposes.) 

NOTE:  I highly recommend using your hands to toss and coat the cauliflower.  It’s a bit messy, but it’s much more effective at ensuring that cauliflower gets well coated with seasonings and oil! 

Also, cauliflower is very crumbly.  Don’t skip those crumbles. Put them right in the air fryer with everything else! You don’t see many in my photo because they aren’t as pretty, but we ate a boatload of crumbles after this recipe.  By the way, I made it with four heads of cauliflower. It was A LOT of cauliflower that week! haha 

Swaps and Substitutions

Cauliflower – this recipe is really for cauliflower only.  Although you can apply the seasonings to other veggies, the cooking times and process will vary slightly for other veggies.  

Seasonings – feel free to modify!  I love to use barbecue seasoning blends, mesquite, lemon pepper, etc.  You can season it to taste while it’s raw and then cook it! 

How to Store and Freeze Air Fryer Cauliflower

Store:  After it cools completely, stores air fryer cauliflower in an air-tight container for up to 5-7 days.  

Freeze:  Freeze for up to 3 months.  You can reheat it in the microwave (it won’t be as crispy) or try putting it back in the air fryer.  I hear it works, but I haven’t tried it yet!  

More For Chimichurri Sauce Lovers:

• Chimichurri Egg In A Squash Ring
• Chimichurri Chicken Marinade
• Air Fryer Tumeric Cauliflower with Chimichurri Sauce
• Chimichurri Chicken Thighs (Skillet to Oven method)
• Easy Chimichurri Shrimp
• Chimichurri Flank Steak (stovetop or grill)
• Chimichurri Salmon 
• Chimichurri Burgers

MORE FUN AIR FRYER RECIPES TO TRY

• Air Fryer Tortilla Strips 
• Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
• Air Fryer Quesadilla
• Air Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi
• Air Fryer Sweet and Spicy Dry Rub Wings
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chicken Nuggets
• Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• 20 Minute Air Fryer Fish Tacos
• Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders No Breading 
• Air Fryer Bone-In Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Chicken Breasts No Breading

Serve This Recipe With: 

I love to have some chimichurri sauce to drizzle over the top! I included my go-to recipe in the recipe card, but you can also find it here! Main dish ideas could also be: 

• Chimichurri Chicken
• Healthy Tuna Patties
• Honey Chipotle Salmon 
• Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs 
• Animal Style Paleo Meatloaf 

Tag me if you make this! I love to see what you guys make! You can tag me on Insta @hungryhobbyRD and Facebook @hungryhobby!