Crispy Cauliflower Salad Tahini (Printable Version)

Air-fried cauliflower florets on greens, enhanced by a creamy tahini sauce for a flavorful, light 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 Steps:

01 - Set the air fryer to 400°F and allow it to heat while preparing the cauliflower.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cauliflower florets with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, tossing until evenly coated.
03 - Arrange the seasoned cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crispy.
04 - While the cauliflower cooks, place mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and pumpkin seeds in a large bowl or serving platter.
05 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, minced garlic, salt, and maple syrup if using until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding water one teaspoon at a time as needed.
06 - Top the salad greens with crispy cauliflower florets and drizzle generously with tahini sauce.
07 - Serve immediately, optionally garnishing with additional parsley or seeds.

# Tips for Success:

01 -
  • The cauliflower stays crispy even when dressed, which honestly took me a few tries to figure out.
  • It's satisfying enough to eat as a main course but light enough that you don't feel weighed down afterward.
  • Once you taste that tahini sauce, you'll start drizzling it on everything.
02 -
  • Don't skip the halfway shake in the air fryer—it's the difference between evenly crispy and some chewy pieces hiding at the bottom.
  • The tahini sauce thickens as it sits, so make it just before serving and thin it with a little water if it becomes too thick.
03 -
  • Don't be shy with the seasoning on the cauliflower; air-fried vegetables need bold flavors to taste like something special.
  • If your tahini sauce breaks or gets too thick, whisk in a little warm water until it comes back together instead of starting over.
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