Crispy Cauliflower Salad Tahini (Printer-Friendly)

Air-fried cauliflower on greens with creamy tahini sauce offers a fresh, flavorful, and satisfying dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crispy Cauliflower

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad

08 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine)
09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
11 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
12 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds (optional)

→ Tahini Sauce

13 - 1/3 cup tahini
14 - 3 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
15 - 2 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
16 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
17 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
18 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Set air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cauliflower florets with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper; toss until evenly coated.
03 - Arrange seasoned cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crispy.
04 - Meanwhile, place mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and pumpkin seeds into a large salad bowl or on a platter.
05 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, minced garlic, salt, and maple syrup (if using) until smooth; adjust consistency with additional water, teaspoon by teaspoon.
06 - Top salad with crispy cauliflower, drizzle generously with tahini dressing, and serve immediately; garnish with extra parsley or seeds as preferred.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The cauliflower gets impossibly crispy in the air fryer, with a savory crust that makes you forget you're eating vegetables.
  • Tahini sauce brings a creamy richness that feels luxurious without any heavy cream, and it comes together in less than five minutes.
  • It works as a light lunch, a hearty side dish, or even a no-cook-at-home dinner when you're tired but want something real.
02 -
  • Don't skip shaking the air fryer basket halfway through—the florets on the bottom will steam if left undisturbed and won't develop that crucial crispy exterior.
  • The tahini sauce will thicken as it cools, so make it thinner than you think you want it; you can always whisk in more tahini later if it becomes too thin, but you can't undo over-thickening.
03 -
  • Don't be shy with the olive oil when coating the cauliflower; it's what creates that irresistible crispy exterior, and the air fryer handles it without any greasy residue.
  • Whisk the tahini sauce by hand instead of using a blender, which can make it too thin and airy; you want it creamy and pourable, not frothy.
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