Air-Fryer Cauliflower with Red Onion and Ras al Hanout

It’s easy to love an air fryer for savory appetizers like hot honey chicken wings, or fast hands-off weeknight proteins like air fryer salmon, but they’re just as useful for cooking vegetables. Not all vegetables do well in an air fryer, but in general, if something is delicious when roasted until it begins to caramelize, it will do well in an air fryer, and cauliflower is the perfect example. 

In 20 minutes, the air fryer softens the dense vegetable and gives the edges of the florets a pleasant crispness. I like adding wedges of red onion, which go blistered and sweet. Using ras el hanout, a single dynamic Middle Eastern spice blend, adds lots of seasoning without overcomplicating things. 

Key Ingredients

• Cauliflower is obviously the star here. The turmeric in ras el hangout gives white cauliflower a lovely gold color, but you can use purple or orange cauliflower here, too. And don’t just use the florets! Once trimmed, I like to chunk up the stem and leaves and add them, too. They caramelize really nicely in the air fryer. 
• Extra virgin olive oil: Just a touch of olive oil helps the spices to coat the vegetables and encourages the caramelization we’re after. And yes, it’s safe to cook with extra virgin olive oil at high temperatures.
  • READ MORE: Cooking with Olive Oil: Everything You Need to Know
  • TRY IT: Private Reserve Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Greece
• Ras el hanout: Instead of pulling out several spices to make a side dish, I use a single spice blend as a time-saving way to give the cauliflower warmth and complexity. 

How to Cook Cauliflower in the Air Fryer

Changing up the spices totally changes the character of this recipe. Feel free to replace the ras el hanout with baharat, Italian seasoning, za’atar, our shawarma spice, or another curry powder or spice blend of your choice.

• Get ready. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Cut 1 medium head cauliflower (about 1 1/2 to 2 lb), including the stem and greens, into bite-sized pieces. Slice 1 medium red onion into slivers. 
• Season the vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cauliflower and the red onion slivers. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle in 1 tablespoon ras el hanout, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly-gound black pepper. Toss well until everything is evenly coated.
• Air-fry the cauliflower: Arrange the vegetables in a single layer in the air-fryer basket. If necessary, cook in batches. Cook, shaking the basket or flipping the florets about halfway through, until cauliflower florets are completely tender and the edges of the vegetables begin to singe to a pleasant golden-brown color, 15 to 20 minutes. 
• Finish and serve: Once done, transfer cauliflower to a serving bowl or platter. Immediately sprinkle with the zest and juice of 1 lemon. Toss gently to combine. Top with chopped parsley or cilantro, if you like. 

Make it Your Own

• Make it a meal: Toss in a drained, well-rinsed can of chickpeas to make the dish heartier, adding extra protein and crispy contrast as they roast alongside the cauliflower.
• Make it spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for gentle heat that complements the warm spices.
• Add a sauce: Drizzle with a simple tahini sauce or green chermoula just before serving to add another layer of flavor. Creamy textures and big herby flavors both go well here. 
• Add more vegetables: Cauliflower on the small side? Mix in sliced bell peppers or carrots for extra color, sweetness, and texture.

Perfect Pairings

This air fryer cauliflower recipe is a versatile vegetarian dish. I think it’s a great fit alongside the following: 

• Grilled Harissa Chicken
• Yogurt Marinated Chicken 
• Broiled Salmon or Pan-Seared Salmon
• Turkey Meatballs with Spinach, Feta, and Mint
• Mediterranean-Style Baked Grouper with Tomatoes and Olives