Air Fryer Recipe
Crispy BBQ Cauliflower Bites
These BBQ cauliflower bites crackle at the edges with a tender, nutty centre, making them a delightful snack or side. The air fryer is ideal for this dish, as it quickly dries the batter and browns the crumbs without turning the cauliflower watery.
Ingredients
- 1 large cauliflower, about 700–800g untrimmed, cut into bite-sized florets
- 80g plain flour
- 30g cornflour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic granules
- ½ tsp onion granules
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus extra to finish
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 150ml milk, oat milk or cold water
- 90g panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp neutral oil, plus oil spray for the basket and coating
- 130ml BBQ sauce, preferably a thick, smoky one
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup, optional
- 1–2 tsp hot sauce, optional
- 1 tbsp melted butter or olive oil
- sliced spring onions, soured cream or yoghurt dip, lemon wedges, or extra BBQ sauce
Method
- Cut the cauliflower into florets about 3–4cm across and pat them dry.
- Preheat the air fryer to 190°C for 3 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the plain flour, cornflour, baking powder, smoked paprika, garlic granules, onion granules, salt, and pepper.
- Add the milk, oat milk, or water gradually, whisking until you have a batter the thickness of double cream.
- Put the panko breadcrumbs in a second bowl and stir in 1 tbsp neutral oil until the crumbs are lightly coated.
- Add a handful of cauliflower florets to the batter and turn them until thinly coated.
- Lift each piece with a fork, letting excess batter drip back into the bowl, then roll in the panko.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket or perforated liner with oil.
- Arrange the coated cauliflower in a single layer with a little space between pieces.
- Air fry at 190°C for 10 minutes.
- Turn the pieces with tongs, spray any dry floury patches lightly with oil, then cook for another 5–7 minutes until golden, crisp and firm at the edges.
- While the cauliflower cooks, stir the BBQ sauce with the melted butter or olive oil, plus honey or maple syrup and hot sauce if using.
- Warm the sauce for 20–30 seconds in a microwave or in a small pan until loose but not boiling.
- Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a large bowl.
- Spoon over about two-thirds of the BBQ glaze and toss gently.
- Return the glazed cauliflower to the air fryer in a single layer and cook at 200°C for 3–4 minutes.
- Season with a small pinch of salt while hot, drizzle with the remaining BBQ sauce if desired, and serve immediately with a cooling dip.
Nutrition
Calories: 250
