Breaded Garlic & Cheese Cauliflower

For a delicious and simple side or appetizer, you need to make this breaded garlic and cheese cauliflower recipe. You can make it up in about 30 minutes and have a great-tasting and healthy side dish for dinner. 

I am always looking for great ways to incorporate vegetables into our meals that everyone will enjoy and this got raving reviews. The combination of the cheese and garlic is fantastic. 

You can find even more appetizers in my YouTube video air fryer appetizers.  

Ingredients and Supplies Needed to Make Breaded Garlic & Cheese Cauliflower:

Ingredients:

• Cauliflower florets 
• Water
• Butter
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Grated parmesan cheese or shredded sharp cheese
• Panko Italian crispy bread crumbs 

Supplies:

• Medium microwave bowl
• Plastic wrap
• Colander
• Small mixing bowl
• Rubber spatula
• Oil sprayer or nonstick cooking spray
• Air fryer (Cosori Pro II is hands down my favorite)
• Wooden spoon

Can I Use Minced Garlic?

While you can use minced garlic instead of garlic powder, the garlic flavor won’t be as well distributed when you use minced garlic as it could be with garlic powder. 

Should I Use Fresh or Frozen Cauliflower? 

You can use either! Since you begin by heating the cauliflower before you mix it into the bread crumbs you would just have to heat the cauliflower longer than you would if it’s raw. 

What Type of Bread Crumbs Do You Use? 

When making this recipe I like to use Italian bread crumbs because they do give a lot of great flavor. But, you can also use panko crumbs or even plain bread crumbs. 

How to Make Breaded Garlic & Cheese Cauliflower:

Step 1: Cook the Cauliflower

Place the chopped cauliflower into a microwave-safe bowl with the water and then cover it with plastic wrap, and cook it on high in the microwave for about 6 minutes. 

Then drain the water from the cauliflower and set it aside.  

Step 2: Mix Up the Garlic Mixture 

Use a small bowl and pour the 2 tbsp of melted butter, along with garlic powder and salt and mix it all together.  

After it is all mixed together, toss in the cooked broccoli and then sprinkle on the grated parmesan cheese or shredded sharp cheese and try and coat it all together.

Step 3: Heat the Bread Crumbs

Now, place the remaining butter into a pan with the bread crumbs and then heat it all together over medium heat. 

Make sure to stir consistently until the bread crumbs are a golden brown color, which should take about 6-8 minutes or so. 

Step 4: Mix it All Together

Once the breadcrumbs have been browned, mix them into the seasoned cauliflower until they are completely coated. 

Step 5: Cook the Cauliflower

After the cauliflower has been mixed in the bread crumbs, place the cauliflower into the air fryer basket and spray it lightly with oil. 

Now turn the air fryer on 350F or 175C for 20 minutes or until it is all golden brown, stopping to stir it halfway through. 

Then serve it warm and enjoy! 

More Recipes to Make With Cauliflower 

Cauliflower has definitely become more popular over the last few years and for good reason! You can make some tasty meals and sides with it and still get some great nutrients. 

Here are some of my favorite ways to use cauliflower in the air fryer.

Cauliflower Recipes:

• Cauliflower Tacos in the Air Fryer
• Korean Fried Cauliflower in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites- Keto and Low Carb

Final Thoughts

Being healthy doesn’t have to be boring! With this breaded garlic and cheese cauliflower dish is such a great way to get amazing flavor while still eating a beneficial veggie dish. I also like that this could be served as an appetizer too!

What are ways you like to make vegetables fun and tasty?

Quick Weeknight Dinner Recipes

• Air Fryer Roasted Fall Vegetables

• How to Make the Perfect Easter Vegetable Medley in the Air Fryer

• Meatball, Potato, Bell Pepper, and Onion Bake

• Air Fryer Mushrooms

• Creamy Baked Green Beans

• Air Fryer Zucchini Tomato Corn Salad

• The Best Summer Squash Recipe You Can Make in the Air Fryer 

Air fryer tips and tricks

• Air Fryer 101
• Learn these common Air Fryer Mistakes!
• All about the Best and Worst Air Fryer Accessories
• How to Clean Your Air Fryer
• How to Cook Any Recipe in the Air Fryer
• FREE Download → Air Fryer Tips & Temps
• Air Fryer Buying Guide
• Watch Fabulessly Frugal YouTube Channel for Air Fryer Recipes

Breaded Garlic & Cheese Cauliflower

Enjoy all of the delicious flavor with none of the guilt with this breaded garlic and cheese cauliflower recipe.

4.67 / 5 ( 3 Reviews )

Print Rate

Prep Time: 6 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 28 minutes minutes

Total Time: 34 minutes minutes

Serves: 4

Adjust Servings: 4

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Medium microwave bowl
• Plastic wrap
• Colander
• Small mixing bowl
• Rubber spatula
• Oil sprayer
• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 6 cups Cauliflower florets
• 2 tbsp Water
• ¼ cup Butter
• ½ tsp Garlic powder
• ¼ tsp Salt
• ¼ cup Grated Parmesan cheese or shredded sharp cheese
• ½ cup Italian bread crumbs

Instructions

• In medium microwave bowl place cauliflower and water, cover & cook on high for 6 min. Drain.
• In small bowl mix 2 tbsp of the melted butter, the garlic powder & salt. Pour over cauliflower in the bowl, stir carefully until coated, sprinkle with cheese.
• Carefully stir to coat, heat the remaining butter & the bread crumbs over medium heat in a pan, cook for 6-8 minutes, stir constantly until golden brown.
• Remove from pan & stir the bread crumbs into the cauliflower.
• Put in the air fryer & spray lightly with oil.
• Set air fryer at 350 °F for 20 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring at the halfway point.

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Sodium: 483mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g