Crispy Cauliflower Salad Tahini (Printable)

Air-fried cauliflower atop mixed greens with lemony tahini sauce for a fresh and tasty 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 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)

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Set the air fryer to 400°F and allow it to reach temperature.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cauliflower florets with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, tossing to coat evenly.
03 - Arrange the seasoned cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the cauliflower is golden and crispy.
04 - While cauliflower cooks, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and 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 and creamy. Adjust consistency with additional water, one teaspoon at a time, as needed.
06 - Place the crispy cauliflower over the salad greens and drizzle generously with the tahini sauce.
07 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley or pumpkin seeds if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes and feels like you've spent hours on it.
  • The crispy-meets-creamy texture keeps you coming back for another bite.
  • It works for lunch, dinner, or as a side that somehow steals the show.
02 -
  • If your tahini sauce breaks or stays too thick, add water one teaspoon at a time until it flows like you want it to—this single thing changed how I make it.
  • Don't skip shaking the air fryer basket halfway through; it's the difference between evenly crispy and spotty results.
03 -
  • Don't crowd the air fryer basket; give the cauliflower room to breathe so steam doesn't turn it soft.
  • If you're making this vegan, double-check that your tahini is pure sesame with no added oils, and use maple syrup over honey in the sauce.
Go Back