Crispy Cauliflower Tahini Salad (Printable)

Air-fried cauliflower on mixed greens with a smooth tahini dressing for a vibrant, flavorful dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crispy Cauliflower

01 - 1 large cauliflower head, 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 fresh parsley, chopped
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)

# How To Make It:

01 - Set air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat.
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 cauliflower in air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crisp.
04 - Meanwhile, arrange mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and pumpkin seeds in a large salad bowl or platter.
05 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, salt, and maple syrup if using, until smooth. Add additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time, to adjust consistency.
06 - Top salad with hot crispy cauliflower florets and drizzle generously with tahini sauce.
07 - Garnish with extra parsley or pumpkin seeds if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The tahini sauce tastes like you spent hours on it, but honestly takes five minutes and tastes even better the second day.
  • Crispy cauliflower actually makes you want to eat more vegetables, which feels like a small personal victory.
  • It's equally good as a light lunch or a substantial side that won't leave you hungry before dinner.
02 -
  • Don't skip shaking the air fryer basket halfway through—it's the difference between crispy and slightly soft, and it only takes five seconds.
  • Make the tahini sauce right before serving or it'll separate; this is not a make-ahead dressing situation, but it does come back together with a quick whisk.
  • Taste your tahini sauce before dressing the salad because you might want a little honey or maple syrup to balance the earthiness, and that's a personal call.
03 -
  • Make extra tahini sauce and keep it in the fridge—it's just as good drizzled over roasted vegetables or grilled chicken.
  • Cut your cauliflower slightly smaller than you think necessary; smaller pieces crisp up faster and the texture is more uniformly perfect.
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