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Air Fryer Sweet Chili Cauliflower — Asian vegetables recipe, 20 min, serves 4Asian

Air Fryer Sweet Chili Cauliflower

Published ·Updated ·by ·✓ Editorially Reviewed
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VegetarianVegan

Crispy air fryer cauliflower glazed in bold sweet chili flavour. The 200 °C circulating heat crisps the surface in 15 minutes with no deep frying, while the sweet chili brings the punch. Ready as a fast weeknight main or a crowd-pleasing snack.

20
min
5
prep
🔥
15
cook
👥
4
servings
125
kcal / serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

1

Trim the cauliflower and cut into even pieces so they cook at the same rate.

2

Lightly oil the cauliflower so the surface crisps and the sweet chili clings later.

3

Arrange in a single layer with space between pieces and cook at 200 °C (400 °F) for 15 minutes, shaking the basket at the 8-minute mark, until golden and tender with crisp edges.

15:00
4

In the last 3–4 minutes, brush generously with 3 tbsp sweet chili sauce, 1 tsp lime juice and return to the basket so it caramelises without burning.

5

Serve hot with Coconut-lime yoghurt dip on the side. Best straight from the basket while crisp.

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Common Questions

What temperature do you air fry cauliflower at?
Set the air fryer to 200 °C (400 °F) and cook for about 15 minutes, until golden and tender with crisp edges.
Do I need to shake the cauliflower?
Shake the basket once at around the 8-minute mark for even browning on all sides.
Can I cook this in batches?
Yes — keep a single layer with space between pieces. Overcrowding steams instead of crisps, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
Can I make Sweet Chili cauliflower ahead of time?
Yes. Cook as directed, then warm the pieces through in the air fryer for 3–4 minutes before serving to bring back the crisp edges.
The story behind this recipe ▾
Air frying cauliflower works because rapidly circulating hot air dehydrates the surface and renders fat, producing a crisp exterior at 200 °C without submerging in oil. Sweet Chili is added so the seasoning concentrates as moisture leaves.
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This recipe is for inspiration only. We do not provide food safety, storage, or nutritional advice. Always follow your local food safety guidelines. Check all ingredients for allergens.
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