Cauliflower cheese is a roast-dinner essential, and the air fryer crisps the top to a bubbling gold while keeping the cauliflower tender — and frees up the oven. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you make cauliflower cheese in an air fryer?
A: Par-cook the cauliflower, cover with cheese sauce in a dish, top with cheese, and air fry at 180°C (360°F) for 12–15 minutes until bubbling.
Q: Do you cook the cauliflower first?
A: Air fry or steam it until just tender first, so it's soft by the time the top is golden.
The method
Get the cauliflower most of the way tender first — a few minutes in the air fryer or a quick steam — then sit it in a dish, pour over a cheese sauce, scatter more cheese (and breadcrumbs for crunch) and air fry until golden and bubbling.
The recipe
Air Fryer Cauliflower Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower, in florets
- 300ml cheese sauce
- 60g cheese, grated
- 30g breadcrumbs (optional)
Method
- Par-cook the cauliflower until just tender.
- Sit in a dish; pour over cheese sauce.
- Top with cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Air fry at 180°C for 12–15 minutes.
Tips
- Par-cook the cauliflower so it's tender under the golden top.
- Breadcrumbs add a lovely crunch.
- Serve with roast beef as part of a roast.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make cauliflower cheese in an air fryer?
Par-cook the cauliflower until tender, cover with cheese sauce in a dish, top with cheese, and air fry at 180°C for 12–15 minutes until bubbling and golden.
Do you cook the cauliflower before adding sauce?
Yes — get it most of the way tender first by air frying or steaming, so it's soft by the time the top turns golden.
Can you make it ahead?
Yes — assemble it, chill, then air fry when needed, adding a few minutes if it's going in cold from the fridge.