Crispy Cauliflower Tahini Salad (Printable)

Air-fried cauliflower paired with greens and creamy tahini dressing for a light, flavorful dish.

# What you'll need:

→ Crispy Cauliflower

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp salt
07 - 1/4 tsp 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 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds (optional)

→ Tahini Sauce

13 - 1/3 cup tahini
14 - 3 tbsp lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
15 - 2 tbsp water, plus more as needed
16 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
17 - 1/4 tsp salt
18 - 1 tsp maple syrup or honey (optional)

# Method:

01 - Set air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat.
02 - In a large bowl, coat the cauliflower florets with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crispy.
04 - Combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, parsley, and pumpkin seeds in a large bowl or platter.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, salt, and maple syrup until smooth. Add additional water 1 teaspoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
06 - Top the salad with crispy cauliflower and drizzle evenly with tahini sauce.
07 - Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra parsley or seeds.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cauliflower gets genuinely crispy, not just roasted soft—there's a real textural contrast that makes eating it feel indulgent.
  • The tahini dressing comes together in one bowl and tastes like someone who actually knows what they're doing made it, even if you're just winging it.
  • It works as a filling lunch, an impressive side dish, or something to build on depending on what you're hungry for.
02 -
  • Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking—I learned this the hard way after getting a batch where the bottom pieces were pale while the tops burned.
  • The tahini dressing thickens as it sits, so make it right before serving or thin it with a little extra lemon juice before plating if it's been waiting.
03 -
  • Don't add the dressing until right before serving unless you're okay with greens that soften from the moisture—it stays fresher if you dress it at the last moment.
  • Make the tahini sauce the night before if you want—it actually tastes better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld together.
Return