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Golden crispy air fryer cauliflower bites topped with Parmesan and parsley in a white bowl.

Veggie-Packed Side: Air Fryer Parmesan Cauliflower Bites

These cauliflower bites are crispy, cheesy, and totally kid-friendly. They’re a quick air fryer side that brings veggies to the table in a fun way, with Parmesan and seasonings that taste indulgent without being heavy.
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Prep Time 7 hours 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Resting Time 2 minutes
Total Time 24 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Vegetarian
Calories: 170
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium head cauliflower (about 5-6 cups florets)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoons onion powder
  • 1 tablespoons smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • 1 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for sprinkling)
  • Optional a squeeze of lemon juice

Equipment

  • 1 Air fryer (basket-style or drawer-style, 3-6 quart recommended)
  • 1 Large mixing bowl
  • 1 Small bowl for sauce
  • 1 Tongs or spatula
  • 1 Measuring cups and spoons
  • 1 Parchment or silicone liner (optional, for easier clean-up)

Method
 

  1. 1. Preheat your air fryer to **400°F (≈ 200°C)**.
  2. 2. While it heats, trim the cauliflower, remove leaves and thick stem, cut into bite-sized florets.
  3. 3. In a mixing bowl, toss the florets with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt & pepper until well coated.
  4. 4. Place the cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd). Cook for **6 minutes**, then shake or flip. Cook another **5-6 minutes** until edges are slightly charred and florets are tender inside.
  5. 5. Remove from air fryer and immediately sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top while still hot so it melts slightly. If you like, finish with a light squeeze of lemon.
  6. 6. Let rest 2 minutes (just so it's not scalding) then serve hot.

Notes

Nutrition (per serving):
- Carbohydrates: ~ 8 g
- Protein: ~ 5 g
- Fat: ~ 13 g
- Saturated Fat: ~ 3 g
- Fiber: ~ 3 g
- Sugar: ~ 2 g
- Sodium: ~ 220 mg
Notes:
- Don’t overcrowd air fryer basket—makes a big difference in crispiness.
- For more char or crisp, after step 4 you can spray a little extra oil and air fry 1-2 more minutes.
- Leftovers = fridge (airtight) up to 3-4 days. Reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to bring back crisp.
- Try dipping sauces: ranch, chipotle mayo, or even marinara.