Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Tacos
Description
For the crispiest "fried" cauliflower without the oil, the air fryer is your best bet. These vegan-friendly cauliflower tacos come together in 30 minutes with a quick cilantro-lime slaw — the perfect easy meatless dinner for Taco Tuesday.
Ingredients
For the cauliflower:
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 4 tablespoons avocado oil, or olive oil
- 4 tablespoons Mexican seasoning, or 2 Tbsp chili powder + 1 Tbsp cumin + 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the cilantro-lime slaw:
- 2 cups cabbage, shredded red or green cabbage
- 3 tablespoons aioli, or mayo, use vegan aioli to keep it plant-based
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
For assembling:
- 10 small corn tortillas, or flour tortillas
- 2 large avocados, sliced
- ¼ cup pickled radishes, or pickled red onions
- ¼ cup seed mix, pepitas + sunflower seeds
- 2 large limes, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Season the cauliflower. In a large bowl, toss the florets with avocado oil, Mexican seasoning, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Air fry. Add the cauliflower to the basket in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook for 12–15 minutes, shaking or turning every 5 minutes, until golden and crispy.
- Make the slaw. While the cauliflower cooks, toss the shredded cabbage with aioli, lime juice, cilantro, and a pinch of salt.
- Assemble. Warm the tortillas. Spread each with a little aioli, then divide the crispy cauliflower among them. Top with cilantro-lime slaw, avocado, pickled radish, and seed mix. Serve with lime wedges to squeeze over the top.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Notes
- Crowding: Don't overcrowd the basket — cauliflower needs airflow to crisp.
- Frozen cauliflower: Thaw and pat very dry before seasoning.
- Make it vegan: Use a vegan aioli/mayo and corn tortillas.
- Reheat: Air fry leftovers at 375°F for 3–4 minutes to re-crisp.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 251kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 339mgPotassium: 572mgFiber: 10gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 187IUVitamin C: 42mgCalcium: 155mgIron: 3mg