Crispy Cauliflower Tahini Salad (Printable Version)

Air-fried cauliflower and fresh greens with creamy tahini dressing for a light, satisfying meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Crispy Cauliflower

01 - 1 large cauliflower head, 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)

# Method:

01 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
02 - In a large bowl, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until fully coated.
03 - Arrange seasoned cauliflower in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crispy.
04 - While cauliflower cooks, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and pumpkin seeds in a large bowl or platter.
05 - Whisk tahini, lemon juice, water, minced garlic, salt, and optional maple syrup until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding water one teaspoon at a time if necessary.
06 - Top salad greens with crispy cauliflower. Drizzle generously with tahini sauce.
07 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley or seeds if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The cauliflower gets so crispy it rivals any fried appetizer, but it's actually good for you.
  • That tahini sauce is creamy, nutty, and comes together in under two minutes—and it makes you look like you know what you're doing.
  • It works as a side dish, a light lunch, or even a meatless main course that won't leave anyone feeling like they're missing something.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the air fryer basket—your cauliflower needs space to get crispy, not steamed. If you have a lot, cook it in two batches.
  • If your tahini sauce breaks or looks curdled, start over with fresh tahini and whisk in the lemon juice more slowly. It's temperamental but forgiving if you treat it right.
  • The cauliflower is best eaten within an hour or so of cooking while it still has some crunch, though the leftovers are still good the next day (just less crispy).
03 -
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking the cauliflower at 12 minutes—every air fryer is slightly different, and you want to catch it right at that golden-brown stage.
  • Make the tahini sauce while the cauliflower cooks so everything comes together hot and the flavors are at their brightest and most vibrant.
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