This Air Fryer Cauliflower Parmesan is crispy, cheesy, saucy, and so delicious! It's perfect for a meatless main or veggie side dish.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
If you love chicken parmesan, you'll love this air-fried cauliflower parmesan! It's the best comfort meal with a highlight on vegetables.
If you ask me, cauliflower is an underrated veggie with a slightly nutty and mild flavor. Slice the head into thick "steaks" and bread them with a crunchy bread crumb coating. This creates an excellent canvas for warm marinara and melted cheese.
I love to serve them for a Meatless Monday dinner with pasta and a side salad. They're vegetarian and full of nutrients.
You'll want to add this easy recipe to your weekly meal plan. Try this Tomato Basil Spaghetti Squash or this Creamy Vegetable Pasta for more veggie main dishes.
Love cauliflower? Then don't miss out on these Cauliflower Nuggets!
Ingredients
There's just a handful of simple ingredients in this cauliflower recipe.
- Cauliflower: A medium head of cauliflower, cut into ¾-inch thick slices.
- Egg: One large, beaten egg to bind the bread crumb mixture to the cauliflower.
- Bread Crumbs: A mixture of seasoned bread crumbs and panko bread crumbs. Though you could use just one or the other, the combination makes them extra crispy and flavorful.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan cheese to add a savory and nutty flavor to the breading mix,
- Marinara Sauce: Use a homemade or jarred marinara sauce. Choose one with wholesome ingredients, like Rao's.
- Mozzarella: Shredded mozzarella cheese. You could substitute for slices of fresh mozzarella.
- Olive Oil Spray: A generous amount of extra virgin olive oil spray. You'll spray this over the breaded cauliflower to make sure they get nice and golden in the air fryer.
*The full ingredient list with amounts is in the recipe card below.
How to Make Cauliflower Parmesan in the Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes.
- In a large shallow bowl, beat the egg with 2 teaspoons of water. Set aside.
- In another large, shallow bowl, stir together the seasoned bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese.
- Dip each cauliflower slice into the egg mixture, then coat with the bread crumb mixture. Place on a large plate.
- Generously spray the air fryer basket with olive oil. Place the cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each piece so they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Spray the tops generously with olive oil. Air fry for 6 minutes, flip them, and spray the tops with olive oil again. Air fry for an additional 4 minutes or until they are golden and crispy on the outside, and crisp-tender on the inside. Spread sauce over each cauliflower piece, then top with mozzarella cheese. Air fry for 1-2 more minutes until the cheese is melted. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.
- Top with fresh basil and serve with more marinara if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Expert Tip: When cutting the cauliflower, slice it into ¾-inch to 1-inch steaks. You want to make sure they're thick enough that they won't fall apart.
Variations
- Use cauliflower florets. Instead of cauliflower steaks, you could cut the cauliflower into large florets.
- Bake them in the oven. Don't have an air fryer? No problem! Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the breaded cauliflower on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp-tender. Top with sauce and cheese, then bake for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Like a bit of spice? Top with some crushed red pepper flakes.
- Make it buffalo. Instead of cauliflower parmesan, you can make it until buffalo cauliflower. Air fry as directed. Instead of adding sauce and cheese, drizzle some buffalo sauce over the cauliflower before serving. Serve with a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Serving Suggestions
This Air Fryer Cauliflower Parmesan is a great main dish. Serve it with pasta, salad, and garlic bread for a complete meal. You could also serve it as a side dish with your favorite main.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make Ahead: These are great for meal prep since they reheat nicely in the oven. Air Fry them as directed, then store them in the refrigerator.
To Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: Heat on a baking sheet in a warm oven at 350°F for 5-8 minutes or until heated through and crispy. I don't recommend heating them in the microwave since they'll become soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Though cauliflower can typically be found in grocery stores year-round, it is in season during the fall and early winter.
When selecting cauliflower, look for a head with tight florets, a pale white color, and firm, bright green leaves. Avoid ones with bruising, browning, discoloring, and wilting leaves.
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Cauliflower Parmesan
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Total Time: 39 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Air Fryer Cauliflower Parmesan is crispy, cheesy, saucy, and so delicious! It's perfect for a meatless main or veggie side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into (¾-inch) slices
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 teaspoons water
- ¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- extra virgin olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes.
- In a large shallow bowl, beat the egg with 2 teaspoons of water. Set aside.
- In another large, shallow bowl, stir together the seasoned bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese.
- Dip each cauliflower slice into the egg mixture, then coat with the bread crumb mixture. Place on a large plate.
- Generously spray the air fryer basket with olive oil. Place the cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each piece so they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Spray the tops generously with olive oil. Air fry for 6 minutes, flip them, and spray the tops with olive oil again. Air fry for an additional 4 minutes or until they are golden and crispy on the outside, and crisp-tender on the inside. Spread sauce over the top of each cauliflower piece, then top with mozzarella cheese. Air fry for 1-2 more minutes, until the cheese is melted. Repeat with the remaining cauliflower.
- Top with fresh basil and serve with more marinara, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Cook times may vary depending on the brand and type of air fryer you're using. Adjust the time and temperature, as needed.
Don't have an air fryer? No problem! Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the breaded cauliflower on a baking sheet, and bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp tender. Top with sauce and cheese, then bake an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
To Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: Heat on a baking sheet in a warm oven at 350°F for 5-8 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
Nutritional Values (per serving) are approximates only.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 199
- Sugar: 6.7 g
- Sodium: 507.5 mg
- Fat: 6.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 23.7 g
- Fiber: 5.7 g
- Protein: 12.9 g
- Cholesterol: 51.1 mg
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