Crispy Cauliflower Tahini Salad (Printable View)

Satisfying salad with air-fried cauliflower, mixed greens, and a creamy tahini dressing.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ 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 chopped fresh parsley
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)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
02 - In a large bowl, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Place the seasoned cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crispy.
04 - While cauliflower cooks, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, parsley, and pumpkin seeds in a large salad bowl or platter.
05 - Whisk tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, salt, and maple syrup (if using) in a bowl until smooth. Add additional water 1 teaspoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
06 - Top the salad greens with crispy cauliflower and drizzle generously with tahini sauce.
07 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley or pumpkin seeds if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The cauliflower gets impossibly crispy without deep frying, and the tahini sauce clings to every nook and cranny
  • You can throw everything together in under 40 minutes, yet it tastes like something from a restaurant that takes reservations
02 -
  • Overcrowding the air fryer creates steam instead of crunch, so work in batches if your basket is small
  • The tahini sauce will seize up at first when you add the lemon juice—keep whisking and it will smooth out
03 -
  • Pat the cauliflower completely dry before tossing with oil and spices—excess moisture creates steam instead of crispness
  • Let the seasoned cauliflower sit for 15 minutes before air frying to let the spices really penetrate the florets
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