65+ Best Vegetarian Dinner Recipes

We’ve rounded up 65 of our best vegetarian dinner recipes, including healthy vegetarian mains, quicke and easy meatless meals, and high-protein dinner recipes!

Moroccan Chickpea Bowl
We've rounded up 65 of our best vegetarian dinner recipes, including healthy vegetarian mains, quicke and easy meatless meals, and high-protein dinner recipes!

Miso Pasta

This Miso Pasta recipe is creamy, rich, and full of umami goodness. Topped with sauteed mushrooms, it’s an easy weeknight meal in under 30 minutes, Vegan-adaptable and  gluten-free- adaptable.

This Miso Pasta recipe is creamy, rich, and full of umami goodness. Topped with sauteed mushrooms, it's an easy weeknight meal in under 30 minutes, Vegan-adaptable and  gluten-free- adaptable.
This Miso Pasta recipe is creamy, rich, and full of umami goodness. Topped with sauteed mushrooms, it's an easy weeknight meal in under 30 minutes, Vegan-adaptable and  gluten-free- adaptable.

Asparagus Salad with Lemon, Olives, and Mint

This Asparagus Salad recipe is easy, zesty, and bright! Made with fresh spring asparagus, pearl couscous, kalamata olives, pine nuts, feta, lemon zest, and mint all tossed in a lemony dressing.

This Asparagus Salad recipe is easy, zesty, and bright! Made with fresh spring asparagus, pearl couscous, kalamata olives, pine nuts, feta, lemon zest, and mint all tossed in a lemony dressing. Vegan-adaptable.
This Asparagus Salad recipe is easy, zesty, and bright! Made with fresh spring asparagus, pearl couscous, kalamata olives, pine nuts, feta, lemon zest, and mint all tossed in a lemony dressing.

Ham and Potato Soup

This ham and potato soup is creamy but not too heavy and loaded with fresh veggies and salty ham. It’s perfect for the seasonal transition!

The post Ham and Potato Soup appeared first on Budget Bytes.

These hot and cold spring days have me feeling all kinds of confused about what to make for dinner. One day it’s warm and sunny, and the next it feels like winter all over again. But no matter the mood, I feel like soup is always the right answer, and this Ham and Potato Soup is a crowd pleaser. Creamy but not too heavy, and loaded with fresh veggies and salty ham, this soup is perfect for this transitional season!

a ladleful of ham and potato soup suspended over a pot of soup.

What is Ham and Potato Soup?

This rich and creamy soup is made from a base of vegetable broth enriched with milk and butter and stuffed to the brim with fresh veggies, chunky potatoes, and salty ham. It’s real belly-warming food, perfect for taking the chill off!

Ingredients for Ham and Potato Soup

Here’s what you’ll need to make ham and potato soup:

  • Oil: I used olive oil, but a neutral-flavored oil like canola or vegetable oil will also work well.
  • Mirepoix: A base of celery, carrots, and onion builds the flavor of this soup.
  • Potatoes: I used 2 medium potatoes, which came out to be 3 1/2 cups once diced. I prefer to peel my potatoes for this recipe, but you can leave the skins on if you like them!
  • Cooked Ham: You can buy a ham steak or use your leftover ham from our Baked Ham recipe! Vegetarian? No problem. You can leave out the ham and this becomes more of a vegetable chowder and it is delicious!
  • Vegetable Broth: You’ll need 6 cups, or you can dissolve 2 Tbsp of vegetable bouillon in 6 cups of water. You can also use Chicken Broth if that’s what you have on hand!
  • Salted Butter: Adds richness and helps form the roux that thickens the soup.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Combines with the butter to form a roux that thickens the soup.
  • Milk: Adds creaminess to the soup.
  • Salt and Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor of the soup.
  • Parsley: A bit of minced fresh parsley adds some color and freshness to the soup.

What Potatoes Are Best For Soup?

The best potato for any given soup really depends on the texture you’re after.

  • With this soup, I wanted to keep distinct chunks of intact potato, so I went for red potatoes. Other varieties that hold their shape well include new potatoes, baby potatoes, and fingerlings.
  • If you’re looking for your potatoes to soften up a bit more but still mostly hold their shape, Yukon Golds are a great choice for this soup.
  • Starchier potatoes, like Russets, will melt into the soup, making it super thick, but you won’t get the whole potato texture in every bite.

A Note on Salt

You may not need any salt depending on the ham you’re using, so taste often and adjust as you see fit. Between the salted butter, bouillon, and the ham from our Baked Ham recipe, I didn’t have a need for more than a pinch of additional salt.

How Do You Thicken Ham and Potato SOup?

I chose to thicken this soup with what’s known as a “blonde roux.” It’s a mixture of butter and flour that is cooked over medium-low heat until it juuust starts to change color from white to blonde. This deepens the flavor of the soup without overpowering the natural flavor of the other ingredients.

three-quarters view of a serving of ham and potato soup in a white bowl.
a ladleful of ham and potato soup suspended over a pot of soup.
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Ham and Potato Soup

This ham and potato soup is creamy but not too heavy and loaded with fresh veggies and salty ham. It's perfect for the seasonal transition!
Course Dinner, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American
Total Cost $11.24 recipe / $1.40 serving
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 (1.5 cups each)
Calories 212kcal
Author Jess Rice

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil $0.34
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced $0.20
  • 3 stalks celery, diced $0.30
  • 1 small white onion, diced $1.02
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (roughly 3½ cups) $1.66
  • 6 cups vegetable broth $0.53
  • 2 cups cooked diced ham $6.38
  • 2 Tbsp salted butter $0.24
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour $0.05
  • 2 cups milk $0.38
  • 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley $0.08
  • 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.05
  • Salt, to taste $0.01

Instructions

  • In the stock pot, add 2 Tbsp olive oil on medium heat. Add the carrots, celery, and onion and cook down until slightly softened and the onions are nice and glossy, about 5 minutes.
  • Add potatoes, vegetable broth, and ham in the stockpot. Bring the pot to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium and let the potatoes simmer for about 15 minutes, or until they are tender. Stir in the pepper.
  • Melt the butter in a separate medium-size saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour until smooth. Cook for about 1 minute. (Note: this is a “blonde roux” so you don’t want the flour to toast too much!) Whisk in milk and cook for about 4 minutes until thick and warm.
  • Pour milk/roux mixture into the stockpot with ham soup and whisk to combine. Cook until all vegetables reach desired tenderness and soup thickens to your liking, another 10 minutes should do it. Add the parsley, additional salt and pepper if needed and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

This makes 12 cups of soup, but we found 1 1/2 cups to be perfect for a meal, so if that’s your serving size, you can serve 8 people.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 1109mg | Fiber: 2g
overhead view of ham and potato soup in a white dutch oven.

how to make Ham and Potato Soup – step by step photos

chopped celery, carrots, and onions in s white dutch oven.

In your stock pot, add 2 Tbsp olive oil on medium heat. Add 2 peeled and diced carrots, 3 diced stalks celery, and 1 diced small white onion and cook down until slightly softened and the onions are nice and glossy, about 5 minutes.

broth poured over mirepoix, potatoes, and ham in a dutch oven.

Add 2 peeled and diced potatoes, 6 cups vegetable broth, and 2 cups diced cooked ham in the stockpot. Bring to a boil; simmer over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in your 1 tsp black pepper.

milk poured over butter and flour paste in a frying pan with a whisk.

Melt 2 Tbsp salted butter in a separate medium-size saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour until smooth. Cook for about 1 minute. (Note: this is a “blonde roux” so you don’t want the flour to toast too much!) Whisk in 2 cups milk and cook for about 4 minutes until thick and warm.

ham and potato soup in a dutch oven.

Pour milk/roux mixture into the stockpot with ham soup and whisk to combine. Cook until all vegetables reach desired tenderness and soup thickens to your liking, another 10 minutes should do it. Add parsley, additional salt, and pepper if needed and enjoy!

overhead view of a spoonful of ham and potato soup suspended above a serving of soup in a white bowl.

This creamy ham and potato soup is perfect for the changing seasons!

The post Ham and Potato Soup appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Sauteed Asparagus

This sauteed asparagus is crunchy, flavorful, and delightfully easy to make. It’s the perfect side for any meal.

The post Sauteed Asparagus appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Making an impressive main dish is hard work, so we’re partial to simple sides that pack a punch with little effort. This sauteed asparagus is crunchy, flavorful, and delightfully easy to make. All you need is a bunch of asparagus, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. It’s almost too easy!

overhead view of sauteed asparagus in a frying pan with lemon wedges.

Ingredients for Sauteed Asparagus

Here’s what you’ll need to make sauteed asparagus (psst: there are only 6 ingredients!):

  • Asparagus: Choose stalks that are firm to the touch and do not appear limp or wilted. The tips should be closed tightly.
  • Oil: Coats the asparagus to help it brown in the pan without burning. We like olive oil for the rich taste it imparts, but canola or vegetable will also work well.
  • Garlic: Adds a subtle earthy and savory flavor.
  • Salt and Pepper: Enhance the natural flavor of the asparagus.
  • Lemon: Adds a pop of brightness and freshness to the cooked asparagus.

What Else Can I Add?

This is a great recipe for playing with different seasoning blends. Try: nmn nbgy

Tip for Sauteed Asparagus

Asparagus does not need to be cooked for long. Once it turns bright green from end to end, it’s done! In fact, it’s even better a little underdone. It should not be mushy or floppy in texture and appearance, it should hold its “spear” shape when cooked correctly.

WHat To Serve with Sauteed ASparagus

This sautéed asparagus is such a versatile side dish. It truly goes with everything! We love it served with Chicken Cordon Bleu, Garlic Butter Baked Cod, Glazed Pork Chops, or BBQ Ribs. Drizzle them with a little bit of Balsamic Glaze to really take them to the next level.

I served this asparagus with our Parmesan Risotto, and it made the ultimate fresh and delicious meal for my family.

close up of sauteed asparagus tips on a plate.
overhead view of sauteed asparagus in a frying pan with lemon wedges.
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Sauteed Asparagus

This Sautéed Asparagus is crunchy, flavorful, and delightfully easy to make. It's the perfect side for any meal.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Total Cost $4.74 recipe / $1.18 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 60kcal
Author Jess Rice

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cut off the woody ends of the asparagus.
  • Add oil to a large frying pan on medium high heat. Add asparagus and gently shake to cover each spear with oil. Add the salt and pepper and cook, shaking every so often, until asparagus turns bright green, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the minced garlic to pan and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  • Remove the asparagus and spritz with a squeeze of lemon juice. Adjust salt and pepper to your liking.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 584mg | Fiber: 3g
overhead view of sauteed asparagus on a plate with lemon wedges.

how to make Sautéed Asparagus – step by step photos

a bunch of asparagus with the ends trimmed off on a bamboo cutting board.

Cut off the woody ends of 1 bunch asparagus.

asparagus in a frying pan.

Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to a large frying pan on medium-high heat, then add the asparagus and gently shake to cover each spear with oil. Shake every so often, until asparagus turns bright green, about 5 minutes.

minced garlic on top of asparagus in a frying pan.

Sprinkle over 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper and add 1 clove minced garlic to the pan and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

sauteed asparagus in a frying pan.

Remove asparagus and spritz with a squeeze of lemon juice from 1 whole lemon. Adjust salt and pepper to your liking.

close up of sauteed asparagus tips on a plate with a lemon wedge.

This sautéed asparagus is so simple and delicious!

The post Sauteed Asparagus appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Spring Pea Risotto

This pea risotto recipe is lemony and minty and sings of spring. It’s easy to make in about 30 minutes, delicious topped with seared fish or scallops—or on its own for a delicious vegetarian dinner!

Creamy Pea risotto in a dutch oven with a spoon.
This pea risotto recipe is lemony and minty and sings of spring. It's easy to make in about 30 minutes, delicious topped with seared fish or scallops—or on its own for a delicious vegetarian dinner!

Air Fryer Carrots

These Air Fryer Carrots are savory, super easy to make, inexpensive and the perfect compliment to any weeknight dinner meal.

The post Air Fryer Carrots appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Lately I’ve been loving how easy it is to cook vegetables in the air fryer. Just prep, season, and air fry. It’s almost too easy. And carrots are a great inexpensive vegetable to cook any time of the year. Plus, they last a long time in the fridge…WIN! We have lots of roasted carrots recipes on our site, but these Air Fryer Carrots are my new favorite. They’re seasoned with a savory and herby seasoning mix and they’re the perfect compliment for any weeknight dinner meal.

Overhead view of cooked carrots in a black air fryer basket.

Ingredients For Air Fryer Carrots

Here’s everything you need to make these easy Air Fryer Carrots:

  • Carrots: Look for whole carrots that are fairly even in length and girth so they’ll cook more evenly. You can either scrub or peel the carrots, however I prefer to peel them. 
  • Olive Oil and Butter: I used both olive oil and butter for this recipe to keep the carrots moist and to combine with the seasoning mix. And I just love the flavor that you get from using both butter and olive oil.
  • Seasoning: A simple seasoning mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried dill is all you’ll need. And I decided to double down on the dill by adding a little fresh dill at the end to garnish. You can certainly omit the dill if you want, although it does add a nice herby and savory flavor to the carrots. In case you want to switch things up, I’ll share a few more seasoning options below.

Can You Air Fry Baby Carrots?

To make this recipe super easy, you can certainly use baby carrots instead of peeling and cutting whole carrots. Just use the same seasoning mix for a pound of baby carrots and adjust the cook time. Air fry baby carrots at 370°F for approximately 8-10 minutes or until tender to your liking.

Seasoning Ideas

I used a mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried dill for these carrots, but there are so many flavors and spices to choose from. Here are some other seasoning ideas for your air fryer carrots:

What To Serve With These Air Fryer Carrots

Air Fryer Carrots are so versatile and can be served with a number of meals. Try them with our Air Fryer Chicken Breasts, salmon, pork chops, or juicy Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts. And you can easily pair them with another side dish like these Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts or Steamed Green Beans to make a meal!

Overhead view of Air Fryer Carrots in a white serving dish.
Overhead view of Air Fryer Carrots in a white serving dish.
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Air Fryer Carrots

These Air Fryer Carrots are savory, super easy to make, inexpensive and the perfect compliment to any weeknight dinner meal.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Total Cost $2.51 recipe / $0.62 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 24 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 105kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Wash, peel, and cut the carrots diagonally into 1-inch pieces. Add the carrots to a large bowl.
  • In a separate small bowl, add the butter and melt in the microwave. Then add the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried dill to the same bowl. Stir everything together to combine.
  • Pour the butter mixture over the carrots. Toss or stir to coat all of the carrots.
  • Add seasoned carrots to the air fryer basket. Air fry at 370°F for 12-14 minutes until tender, shaking the basket halfway through. Once done garnish with fresh chopped dill (optional).

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 105kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Sodium: 537mg | Fiber: 3g
Close up side view of Air Fryer Carrots in a white serving dish.

How to Make Air Fryer Carrots – Step by Step Photos

Carrots being chopped on a cutting board.

Wash, peel, and cut 1 lb. of carrots diagonally into 1-inch pieces. Add the carrots to a large bowl.

Butter, oil, and seasoning mixed together in a bowl.

In a separate small bowl, add 1 Tbsp of butter and melt in the microwave. Then add 1 Tbsp olive oil, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp dried dill to the same bowl. Stir everything together to combine.

Carrots mixed with butter and dill seasoning in a bowl.

Pour the butter mixture over the carrots. Toss or stir to coat all of the carrots.

Uncooked carrots added to the air fryer basket.

Add seasoned carrots to the air fryer basket. Air fry at 370°F for 12-14 minutes until tender, shaking the basket halfway through.

Cooked Air fryer carrots in an air fryer basket.

Once done garnish with 1 tsp fresh chopped dill (optional) and enjoy!

Overhead view of Air Fryer Carrots in a white serving dish.

The post Air Fryer Carrots appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Chili Crisp Cauliflower

Golden and delicious roasted Chili Crisp Cauliflower is a fast and easy side dish or tasty appetizer with loads of flavor & crunchy texture.

Golden and delicious roasted Chili Crisp Cauliflower is a fast and easy side dish or tasty appetizer with loads of flavor & crunchy texture.
Golden and delicious roasted Chili Crisp Cauliflower is a fast and easy side dish or tasty appetizer with loads of flavor & crunchy texture.

Pea Salad

Super simple and inexpensive, this creamy pea salad is the perfect side dish for your next family get-together.

The post Pea Salad appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Super simple and inexpensive, this creamy pea salad is the perfect side dish for your next family get-together. We coat sweet peas, salty ham, and savory cheddar cheese in a creamy dressing, creating the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. It makes a huge batch and comes together in just minutes, no cooking required!

overhead view of pea salad with a spoon.

What is Pea Salad?

Pea salad is a classic side dish made from sweet peas tossed with ham, cheddar cheese, and red onion, and coated in a creamy and tangy dressing. This salad has a beautiful balance of flavors and is so versatile!

Ingredients for Pea Salad

Here’s what you’ll need to make pea salad:

  • Greek Yogurt: Makes the dressing creamy and tangy with fewer calories and fat than sour cream. We highly recommend Greek yogurt over plain yogurt or sour cream for its thicker texture.
  • Mayonnaise: Adds richness and creaminess to the dressing.
  • White Vinegar: Adds a refreshing tanginess to the dressing to balance the creaminess.
  • Parsley: Adds a pop of freshness.
  • Frozen Peas: Just as bright and flavorful as fresh, these are a great budget option for this salad.
  • Ham Steak: You’ll need a 12 oz. ham steak, or you can use leftover ham or cooked bacon. Vegetarian? No problem! If you leave out the ham, this pea salad is still flavorful and fresh.
  • Red Onion: Adds a bit of bite to the recipe and a wonderful crunchy texture, creating a great contrast to the sweet peas.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Adds a creamy and salty component to this delicious salad.
  • Salt and Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor of the salad.

What Else Can I Add to Pea Salad?

This creamy salad is a great recipe to add leftovers to. We like to add:

  • Leftover short noodles, like macaroni or bowties
  • Finely diced carrots
  • Chopped broccoli florets
  • Raisins or other dried fruits
  • Vegetarian meat substitutes also work well.

Budget-Saving Tip!

If you want to make your money stretch a little bit further, then this is a great recipe to use up any leftover ham that you might have from the holidays. It will help reduce waste and make the recipe cheaper. That’s a win-win!😊

What to Serve with Pea Salad

This cold pea salad is the perfect refreshing side for smoky BBQ ribs, savory smash burgers, or garlic marinated chicken.

close up view of pea salad with a spoon.
overhead view of pea salad with a spoon.
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Pea Salad

Super simple and inexpensive, this creamy pea salad is the perfect side dish for your next family get-together.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Total Cost $9.54 recipe / $0.95 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 10 (1 cup each)
Calories 214kcal
Author Jess Rice

Ingredients

  • 4 cups frozen peas $2.28
  • 2 cups cubed ham steak $3.99
  • 1/2 small red onion, diced small $0.22
  • 8 oz. cheddar cheese, cubed small $2.49
  • 1 Tbsp minced parsley $0.05
  • 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt $0.32
  • 1 Tbsp mayonnaise $0.07
  • 1 Tbsp white vinegar $0.02
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05
  • 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.05

Instructions

  • Rinse the frozen peas in cool water. Strain and leave out at room temperature. Meanwhile, cut the ham into small dice cubes and prep the red onion, cheddar cheese, and parsley.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, white vinegar, minced parsley, and salt and pepper.
  • Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl. Serve immediately or enjoy all week!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 996mg | Fiber: 3g
pea salad in a white bowl.

how to make Pea Salad – step by step photos

ingredients for pea salad on a cutting board.

Rinse 4 cups frozen peas in cool water. Strain and leave out at room temperature. Meanwhile, cut 2 cups ham into small dice cubes, dice 1/2 small red onion, cube 8 oz. cheddar cheese, and mince 1 Tbsp fresh parsley.

stirred mayonnaise dressing with herbs in a white bowl.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup Greek yogurt, 1 Tbsp mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp white vinegar, the minced parsley, and 1 tsp each salt and pepper.

ingredients for pea salad in a white bowl.

Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl. Serve immediately or enjoy all week!

overhead view of pea salad in a white bowl.

This pea salad is such a beautiful centerpiece to any table!

The post Pea Salad appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Air Fryer Cauliflower

There’s no need to turn cauliflower into something it’s not (looking at you, rice and pizza crust) when it can be this good on its own! Our air fryer cauliflower uses just a handful of ingredients – oil, lemon, and spices – for an incredibly flavorful appetizer or side dish that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Making cauliflower in the air fryer takes just 5 minutes of prep work and 15…

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The post Air Fryer Cauliflower appeared first on Spoon Fork Bacon.

Air fryer cauliflower on a plate with a spoon.

There’s no need to turn cauliflower into something it’s not (looking at you, rice and pizza crust) when it can be this good on its own! Our air fryer cauliflower uses just a handful of ingredients – oil, lemon, and spices – for an incredibly flavorful appetizer or side dish that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Making cauliflower in the air fryer takes just 5 minutes of prep work and 15 minutes of cooking. The slightly smoky flavor of this cauliflower makes it the perfect side dish for Baby Back Ribs or Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs, or you can even serve them as a simple appetizer with Beer Cheese or Roasted Onion Dip! We love the versatility almost as much as we love eating them!

How to Make Air Fryer Cauliflower

Ingredients

Air fryer cauliflower ingredients.

Process

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, cumin, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Whisk together.
  2. Add cauliflower florets and toss together until completely and evenly coated.
Oil and seasonings being whisked together in a glass bowl.
Oil and seasonings mixed together with cauliflower.
  1. Spray air fryer basket with vegetable oil or avocado oil spray, then add cauliflower florets.
  2. Air Fry at 400˚F (preheat beforehand if needed) for 15 minutes, stopping to shake the basket every 5 minutes until tender and caramelized.
Cauliflower in an air fryer before its been cooked.
Cauliflower in a air fryer.
  1. Remove from air fryer basket and finish with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes and lemon zest.
Air fryer cauliflower with a spoon on a plate.

Why We Love to Air Fry Our Cauliflower

Sure, you can bake cauliflower in the oven, but we really love to use the air fryer.

  • The outside gets super crispy, while the inside is perfectly tender. It’s hard to get this same texture combo in an oven.
  • The cauliflower cooks much faster in the air fryer. With the hot hair circulating around each piece, they cook more quickly and evenly.
  • Less heat! Heating up the kitchen in the middle of the summer to roast a side dish isn’t top of our list. Using the air fryer, you can enjoy this cauliflower anytime!

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Air Fryer Cauliflower

  • Cut the cauliflower into even pieces so they cook evenly.
  • Preheating the air fryer for a few minutes before adding your cauliflower helps the outside crisp up even more!
  • Don’t forget to shake or toss the basket every 5 minutes. This helps all sides of the cauliflower cook evenly.
  • Even though the cauliflower has oil on it, you still need to spray the pan or basket. This helps prevent the cauliflower from sticking to the pan (and keeps more delicious seasoning right where it should be – on the cauliflower!).

Flavor Variations

The combination of smoked paprika, cumin, and garlic powder gives this cauliflower a smokey, earthy flavor, but you can always try one of these other variations:

  • Buffalo: Season simply with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then toss the cauliflower in buffalo sauce as soon as they come out of the air fryer. Serve with ranch and blue cheese.
  • Parmesan Garlic: Skip the cumin and paprika and mix grated Parmesan cheese and extra garlic powder into the seasoning mix. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
  • Lemon Herb: Add dried oregano, basil, and a generous amount of lemon zest to the olive oil mixture before tossing the raw cauliflower florets. After air frying, finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
  • BBQ: In the last couple of minutes of air frying, remove the cauliflower and toss with your favorite BBQ sauce. Finish air frying for the final 2-4 minutes for sticky, BBQ-glazed cauliflower.
  • Taco: Mix taco seasoning with the oil and coat onto the cauliflower before air frying. Once done, sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and serve with sour cream.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Cauliflower

This dish is super versatile and goes with many types of dishes, including grilled meats, salads, soup, rice bowls, and more. Try it with some of these favorites:

More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes You Will Love

Air fryer cauliflower with lemon zest.
Air fryer cauliflower with lemon zest.
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Air Fryer Cauliflower

Air Fryer Cauliflower will soon become your favorite way to cook cauliflower! It couldn't be easy to make and always results in perfectly tender and delicious cauliflower – in just 20 minutes!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 146kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pound cauliflower trimmed and cut into bite sized pieces
  • lemon zest for garnish

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl combine oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, cumin, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Whisk together.
  • Add cauliflower florets and toss together until completely and evenly coated.
  • Spray air fryer basket with vegetable oil or avocado oil spray, then add cauliflower florets.
  • Air Fry at 400˚F (preheat beforehand if needed) for 15 minutes, stopping to shake the basket every 5 minutes, until tender and caramelized.
  • Remove from air fryer basket and finish with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes and lemon zest.

Nutrition

Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 618mg | Potassium: 381mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 254IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

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