Crispy Cauliflower Tahini Salad (Printable)

Air-fried cauliflower atop fresh greens with a smooth tahini dressing for a flavorful, satisfying meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Crispy Cauliflower

01 - 1 large cauliflower head, cut into bite-sized florets
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
05 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
06 - ½ teaspoon salt
07 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad

08 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine)
09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - ½ red onion, thinly sliced
11 - ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
12 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds (optional)

→ Tahini Sauce

13 - ⅓ 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 - ¼ teaspoon salt
18 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Set the air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat.
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 a single layer inside the air fryer basket and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crisp.
04 - Combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, chopped parsley, and pumpkin seeds in 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; add additional water by teaspoons to adjust consistency as needed.
06 - Top the salad greens with crispy cauliflower florets and drizzle generously with tahini dressing.
07 - Garnish with extra parsley or pumpkin seeds if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cauliflower gets impossibly crispy on the outside while staying tender inside, no deep frying required.
  • That tahini sauce tastes like a restaurant secret, but it comes together in less time than it takes to crisp the florets.
  • It works as a side dish, a light lunch, or even as something you can pack tomorrow and enjoy cold.
02 -
  • Tahini and lemon juice don't mix smoothly at first, but whisking patiently makes all the difference; rushing this step leaves you with a grainy, separated mess.
  • The cauliflower must be in a single layer in the air fryer or the pieces on top will stay pale and soft while the bottom ones burn, so don't try to cram it all in at once.
  • Shake the basket halfway through cooking or you'll end up with some florets golden and others barely done.
03 -
  • Buy whole tahini if you can find it; the oil on top means it's fresher than the pre-stirred stuff, and the flavor is noticeably better.
  • Lemon juice is non-negotiable here; bottled juice won't give you the same brightness, so squeeze a fresh lemon if you possibly can.
Go Back