If you are looking for a delicious low carb side dish or tasty air fryer recipe, you need to try this air fryer Korean cauliflower. It’s super flavorful and a great way to get in your daily veggies.
Why I love this recipe
There are so many reasons to love this recipe, but personally I love how flavorful it is. The key ingredient is gochujang, which is a Korean chili paste common in Korean cooking. It’s spicy and has a distinct flavor that adds so much to the dish.
I also love this recipe because it’s a wonderful way to eat in your veggie servings. It’s low in calories and fat since it’s not made by deep frying, but instead air frying.
If you want a tasty recipe that is nutritious and low in calories, this is the recipe for you. It’s a perfect appetizer for a dinner party or potluck and also works great as a side dish.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Korean Cauliflower
Before making this recipe, make sure you have all the ingredients you need. Swaps and alternatives are listed below next to each ingredient.
- Cauliflower: You can purchase a cauliflower head and cut it into smaller chunks or you can buy cauliflower florets (pre-chopped).
- Cornstarch: Or potato starch
- All-purpose flour: You can also use gluten free all-purpose flour if you are celiac.
- Salt: I prefer kosher salt.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground is the best.
- Water: Warm water will yield the best texture.
- Sesame oil: Optional, but highly recommended.
Soy Garlic Sauce
- Oil: I recommend using a neutral oil like canola, vegetable, avocado or sunflower.
- Shallot: Or onion.
- Garlic: Jarred or fresh is fine.
- Soy sauce: I use low sodium, but the regular stuff, tamari or coconut aminos work fine as well.
- Water: Straight from the tap is cool!
- Rice vinegar: Or white vinegar.
- Brown sugar: White sugar, honey or maple syrup is fine.
- Gochujang: If you don’t have any, you can use chili garlic sauce or sriracha.
- Sesame oil: Optional, but highly recommended.
How to make Air Fryer Korean Cauliflower
In a large bowl, combine the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, warm water and sesame oil. Stir the mixture until well combined. Add cauliflower florets and toss to coat.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the cauliflower pieces in a single layer on the air fryer tray and place into the air fryer basket. You can line the rack with parchment paper to avoid dripping if desired. Air fry for 8-10 minutes or until the outside is golden brown. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can also bake it at the same temperature for 15-20 minutes.
While the cauliflower pieces are cooking, prepare the soy garlic sauce. In a small pan over medium heat, add the oil. Once hot, add the shallot and garlic. Stir fry until browned. Add the soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, brown sugar, gochujang and sesame oil. Stir until combined, then remove from the heat and set aside.
Once the cauliflower pieces are finished cooking. Transfer to a large bowl and add the sauce. Toss to combine, then serve.
Alternatives for cauliflower
If you dislike cauliflower, you can make this recipe with a variety of different vegetables. Broccoli is a great alternative since they share a similar shape, but you can also make this recipe with green beans, mushrooms, cabbage, eggplant, bell peppers or onion.
Where to find Korean gochujang
Gochujang is a Korean chili paste used in a variety of spicy dishes. If you can’t find any at your local grocery store, try your local asian grocery store. If you don’t have any near you, you can also try purchasing some online. Here are some options:
Is cauliflower good for you?
Yes. I love cauliflower because the flavor isn’t too strong and it’s very versatile. One cup of cauliflower contains about 30 calories and 3 grams of fiber. It’s a good source of folate, vitamin C and vitamin K.
This air fryer Korean cauliflower is a great recipe to help you get some cauliflower into your diet. But there are plenty of other delicious cauliflower recipes you can try.
What to serve this with
The best way to serve this recipe is alongside some white rice and a protein dish. Since this is a vegetable recipe, it pairs great with a protein source and a carbohydrate/grain source. This recipe is also the perfect appetizer if you have guests over.
How to store the leftovers
If you have any leftovers, you can easily store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They should last about 2-3 days before going back. When you are ready to reheat them, simply add them back into the air fryer for a few minutes or heat them in the microwave (though they won’t be as crunchy this way).
Cauliflower Recipes
Vegan Recipes
Crispy Vegan Air Fryer Korean Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 12 oz cauliflower florets
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Soy Garlic Sauce
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- 1/2 shallot diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce low sodium
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp gochujang
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, warm water and sesame oil. Stir the mixture until well combined.
- Add cauliflower florets and toss to coat.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the cauliflower pieces in a single layer on the air fryer tray and place into the air fryer basket. You can line the rack with parchment paper to avoid dripping if desired.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes or until the outside is golden brown.
- While the cauliflower pieces are cooking, prepare the soy garlic sauce. In a small pan over medium heat, add the oil.
- Once hot, add the shallot and garlic. Stir fry until browned. Add the soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, brown sugar, gochujang and sesame oil. Stir until combined, then remove from the heat and set aside.
- Once the cauliflower pieces are finished cooking. Transfer to a large bowl and add the sauce. Toss to combine, then serve.
