Air Fryer Cauliflower Parmesan Recipe
Air fryer cauliflower parmesan.
Are you looking for a vegetarian main dish that offers both irresistible flavor and gratification? Look no further than this delectable air fryer cauliflower parmesan, abundant with cheesy goodness!
This cauliflower parmesan is skillfully air-fried to perfection, enveloped in velvety marinara sauce, and adorned with a tantalizing layer of melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. It’s the ultimate solution for a speedy weeknight dinner, taking only 20 minutes to emerge from the air fryer, which efficiently revitalizes this classic oven creation.
The process commences with air-frying cauliflower to achieve a tender, golden-brown consistency, followed by the addition of marinara sauce and cheese directly into the air fryer basket, minimizing cleanup to a single task.
This rendition of cauliflower parm showcases a harmonious blend of luscious mozzarella with subtly fruity and nutty notes from the parmesan, forming a dual cheese topping that’s bound to induce salivation.
Ingredients For Creating Air Fryer Cauliflower Parmesan
For the complete list of ingredients and comprehensive recipe instructions, please refer to the latter part of this post. Cauliflower emerges as an exceptional choice for vegetarian entrees, boasting a delightful texture and a faintly sweet undertone that harmonizes beautifully with an array of sauces and seasonings. Furthermore, it’s low in carbohydrates, high in fiber, and a rich source of nutrients.
Olive oil
Olive oil, with its neutral taste and high smoke point, proves to be a splendid choice for air frying. Beyond its culinary merits, it offers numerous health advantages, including contributing to heart disease prevention.
Salt And Pepper
The essential duo of salt and pepper accentuates the innate flavors of your culinary creation, so it’s advisable not to omit them. However, feel free to tailor the quantities to your personal taste preferences.
Marinara sauce
Marinara sauce combines tomatoes, olive oil, onion, garlic, and typically oregano. While pre-made marinara sauce is readily available at most grocery stores, exercise caution to opt for a brand that’s not excessively sugary.
Mozzarella cheese
Mozzarella cheese imparts an irresistibly gooey and lavish finishing touch to this air fryer parmesan cauliflower. It’s important to note that conventional mozzarella contains rennet and is therefore not suitable for vegetarians. If your audience includes vegetarians, seek out vegetarian mozzarella or consider alternatives like provolone, Mexican cheese with comparable meltiness, or even low-fat mozzarella.
Parmesan cheese
Parmesan cheese contributes a robust flavor that beautifully complements the milder mozzarella. It’s worth mentioning that cheeses labeled as “parmesan” are typically manufactured using traditional methods, rendering them unsuitable for vegetarians. Nevertheless, grocery stores offer vegetarian hard cheeses that mimic the taste and texture of parmesan.
Fresh basil
Should you desire, a garnish of fresh basil can be added, introducing a delicate blend of aniseed and mint to your parmesan cauliflower. Basil harmonizes exquisitely with the interplay of tomato and cheese flavors, making it a classic trio.
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Equipments Used In This Recipe
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Air fryer
How To Cook Parmesan Cualiflower In Air Fryer
Season the cauliflower: Arrange the sliced cauliflower on a spacious cutting board, generously brushing them with olive oil until coated. Sprinkle both sides with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Air fry: Carefully transfer the seasoned cauliflower slices to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 370ºF for 15 minutes, turning halfway through with caution.
Add sauce and cheese: Once the cauliflower slices are cooked, layer them with marinara sauce and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is molten and delectably melted.
Serve: Carefully remove the cauliflower parmesan from the air fryer basket and embellish it with fresh basil. Serve and enjoy!
Cooking Tips for Parmesan Cauliflower
- Use medium or small cauliflower head when making cauliflower steak, reserving the crumbles for roasting alongside broccoli.
- Aim for 3-4 steaks from each cauliflower head.
- Keep leftovers fresh by storing them in an airtight container. They’ll keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator or up to 10-12 months in the freezer.
- To reheat, preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes, then warm the parmesan cauliflower for 3-5 minutes until thoroughly heated.
How Long To Air Fry Parmesan Cauliflower
Cooking the cauliflower parmesan in the air fryer takes approximately 20 minutes at 370°F. This includes 15 minutes to air fry the cauliflower and an additional 5 minutes to bake it with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan on top. The exact cooking duration might differ based on your air fryer model. To check for doneness, insert a fork to assess tenderness.
What To Serve With Parmesan Cauliflower Steaks
This air fryer cauliflower recipe is delightful when served with pasta and extra marinara sauce, or alongside air-fried sweet potato cubes and your favorite greens. It offers a quick and delightful dinner option without the hassle!
How To Store Cook Cauliflower Parm
The flavors of the marinara in this cauliflower parmesan dish mature and deepen with time, often becoming even more delicious the following day. Store leftovers by sealing them in an airtight container and refrigerating them within two hours of cooking. Leftovers will remain fresh for 3-5 days. For freezing, divide the leftover cauliflower parmesan into portions and store in ZipTop bags or airtight containers in the freezer. It’s freezer-safe for 10-12 months.
How To Reheat Cauliflower Parmesan
Using an air fryer: Preheat to 350°F, place the cauliflower parmesan in the basket, and heat for 3-5 minutes until fully warmed. If reheating from frozen, increase the time by 5-10 minutes.
In the oven: Heat in an ovenproof dish at 350°F until thoroughly hot. Defrost frozen cauliflower parm before reheating.
On the stovetop: Heat in a non-stick pan over medium heat until heated throughout. Defrost frozen cauliflower parm before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is cauliflower parmesan a healthy option?
Certainly, this cauliflower steak parmesan offers a wealth of essential nutrients. Cauliflower provides essential vitamins, especially vitamins C and K.
The marinara sauce’s main ingredient, tomatoes, is rich in lycopene—an antioxidant with potential anti-cancer properties—alongside vitamins C and K, potassium, and folate.
Mozzarella, lower in fat and sodium than other cheeses, is also an excellent protein and calcium source. If desired, you can choose a low-fat mozzarella alternative.
Can breadcrumbs be used for air-fried cauliflower?
Absolutely! If you’re seeking a crispy cauliflower dish, give these tender air-fried cauliflower bites with a golden-brown coating a try.
