Crispy Cauliflower Tahini Salad (Printable)

Air-fried cauliflower on mixed greens dressed with creamy tahini for a fresh and 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 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
15 - 2 tablespoons water, plus more to adjust consistency
16 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
17 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
18 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey (optional)

# Method:

01 - Set the air fryer to 400°F and allow it to reach temperature.
02 - In a large bowl, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Arrange the seasoned cauliflower in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crispy.
04 - While the cauliflower cooks, combine salad greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and toasted pumpkin seeds in a large bowl or platter.
05 - Whisk tahini, lemon juice, water, minced garlic, salt, and maple syrup if using, until smooth. Adjust thickness with additional water as needed.
06 - Top the mixed greens with crispy cauliflower and drizzle generously with tahini sauce.
07 - Garnish with extra parsley or seeds if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cauliflower gets impossibly crispy in the air fryer without deep frying—no oil splatters, just golden results.
  • That tahini sauce is so good you'll find yourself drizzling it on everything for days afterward.
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free, but honestly tastes too indulgent for a healthy salad.
02 -
  • Don't skip shaking the air fryer basket halfway through—the cauliflower on the bottom cooks faster, and this step prevents burning while ensuring even crispness all around.
  • If your tahini sauce breaks or separates, start fresh; it's faster than trying to fix it, and the ingredients are cheap enough that it's not worth the frustration.
03 -
  • Make the tahini sauce slightly thicker than you think you need it, because it thins out a bit once it hits the warm cauliflower and absorbs into the greens.
  • A pinch of sumac or za'atar sprinkled on top at the end takes this from good to restaurant-quality without any extra effort.
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