Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Crispy Cauliflower
Cauliflower florets triple-coated in flour and egg, air-fried until crispy, then tossed with a tangy-spicy sauce of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, tomato paste, and sriracha. Quick weeknight side or appetizer with bright acidity and textural contrast.
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup all-purpose flourrice flour1:1gluten-freegluten-free
adds crispness
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp low sodium soy saucetamari1:1gluten-freegluten-freesoy-free
deeper umami
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp sriracha
- 3 Tbsp corn starch
- ghee spray or high heat cooking sprayavocado oil spray1:1high smoke pointdairy-free
Instructions
- 1
Microwave cauliflower pieces covered on high for 2 minutes.
- 2
Set up coating station with beaten eggs in one bowl and flour in another.
- 3
Once cool enough to handle, coat each cauliflower piece in flour, then egg, then flour again.
- 4
Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- 5
Arrange cauliflower in single layer in air fryer basket, working in batches if needed.
- 6
Spray with cooking spray and fry for 7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- 7
While cauliflower cooks, combine sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic salt, tomato paste, and sriracha in small pan over medium heat.
- 8
Whisk to combine, add corn starch, whisk again, and bring to a boil.
- 9
Remove sauce from heat.
- 10
Toss warm cauliflower with sauce in large bowl and serve.
Tips
Microwave cauliflower briefly to partially cook before coating; this ensures tender interior while exterior crisps.
Work in batches if your air fryer basket is small to avoid crowding and ensure even cooking.
Flip cauliflower halfway through frying for even browning on all sides.
Sauce thickens as it cools; toss with cauliflower while warm for best coating.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers in airtight container up to 3 days. Reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispness.
Coat cauliflower pieces up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate uncovered on a tray. Prepare sauce components and combine when ready to cook.
Serve immediately while cauliflower is hot and crispy. Pairs with rice, noodles, or as an appetizer with dipping sauce on the side.
Common Mistakes
Skip the microwave step to avoid dense, undercooked centers in the time frame given.
Avoid crowding the air fryer basket to prevent steaming instead of crisping.
Do not allow sauce to cool completely before tossing to prevent uneven coating.