Craving pure comfort food that won’t derail your low-carb goals? This Air Fryer Cheesy Cauliflower Bake is your answer! Imagine tender cauliflower florets swimming in a luscious, pesto-infused cream sauce, all blanketed under a glorious layer of bubbly, golden-brown cheddar. It’s rich, it’s satisfying, and it comes together in under 30 minutes, making it the ultimate weeknight side dish hero. Get ready to fall in love with cauliflower all over again!
Ingredients
• 8 fl oz / 240 ml heavy whipping cream
• 2 tbsp basil pesto
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 16 oz / 454 g cauliflower, separated into florets
• 4 oz / 113 g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 tbsp melted ghee
• 7 oz / 198 g cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions
1. Directions
2. Grease an air fryer-safe baking pan with the melted ghee.
3. Add the cauliflower florets to the pan. Pour over the lemon juice, heavy cream, and pesto. Season with salt and pepper, then toss gently to coat everything.
4. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes over the cauliflower and top evenly with the grated cheddar cheese.
5. Place the pan in the air fryer basket and cook at 380°F / 193°C for 20 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and the cheese is golden and bubbly.
6. Let the bake rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.
Nutritional Information
• Nutrition (per serving)
• Calories: 200 | Fat: 7.0 g | Fiber: 2.0 g | Protein: 7.0 g
Pro Tips
• Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. For the gooiest, meltiest results, always grate a block of cheddar yourself.
• Pat Cauliflower Dry: After washing, pat the florets completely dry. Removing excess water is key to preventing a watery sauce and achieving a rich, velvety consistency.
• Watch for Browning: Air fryers cook intensely from the top. If the cheese gets too dark too fast, loosely cover the pan with foil for the remaining cook time.
• Let It Rest: The sauce will seem thin right out of the air fryer. Let the dish rest for 3-5 minutes before serving; this allows the sauce to cool and thicken perfectly.
FAQ
Q: Can I use pre-shredded cheese for this recipe
A: For the best results, it’s recommended to grate your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly, resulting in a less gooey and creamy texture.
Q: Why is my cauliflower bake watery
A: A watery sauce is often caused by excess moisture from the cauliflower. To prevent this, make sure to pat the cauliflower florets completely dry with a paper towel after washing them and before adding them to the pan.
Q: What should I do if the cheese on top browns too quickly
A: Air fryers cook intensely from the top. If you notice the cheese getting too dark before the cauliflower is tender, you can loosely cover the baking pan with a piece of aluminum foil for the remainder of the cooking time.
