Crispy Cauliflower Tahini Salad (Print Version)

Air-fried cauliflower combines with fresh greens and a creamy tahini drizzle for a vibrant, satisfying 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 medium 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)

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Heat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for cooking cauliflower.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cauliflower florets with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper ensuring even coating.
03 - Arrange seasoned cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking basket halfway through, until golden and crispy.
04 - While cauliflower cooks, arrange mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and optional pumpkin seeds in a large salad bowl or platter.
05 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, minced garlic, salt, and maple syrup if using, until smooth. Add additional water by teaspoons to achieve desired consistency.
06 - Place crispy cauliflower atop the salad base and drizzle generously with tahini sauce.
07 - Garnish with extra parsley or seeds if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cauliflower gets so crispy in the air fryer that you forget you're eating vegetables.
  • That tahini sauce is creamy magic—it transforms everything it touches.
  • It comes together in 40 minutes and works equally well as a weeknight dinner or something to bring to a gathering.
  • Vegan, gluten-free, and honestly more satisfying than you'd expect from a salad.
02 -
  • If your tahini sauce breaks or separates, whisk in a splash more lemon juice and water—it'll come back together.
  • Don't skip shaking the air fryer basket halfway through; it's the difference between crispy and soggy.
  • Make the sauce just before serving so it doesn't sit and thicken too much, but you can prep all your salad ingredients hours ahead.
03 -
  • Keep your tahini in the coldest part of your pantry—it stays fresher longer and tastes noticeably better.
  • If you don't have an air fryer, roast the cauliflower at 425°F for about 25 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until the edges are deeply browned.
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