Air Fried Cauliflower Rice - Glue & Glitter, Easy Vegan Recipes (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Becky Striepe · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon and ShareASale associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Recipe Video Print

It is so easy to make air fried cauliflower rice in the air fryer! You can follow this recipe exactly or mix-and-match your own veggies to suit your tastes.

Air Fried Cauliflower Rice - Glue & Glitter, Easy Vegan Recipes (1)

It might seem complicated to make air fried cauliflower rice, but it's really very simple. You might think that you need an inner dish, but in my experience, way fewercauliflower bits fall through the holes than you'd expect.

I make my cauliflower rice with no dish and no parchment paper to line the pan.

Mixing Up Your Air Fried Cauliflower Rice

I adapted this recipe from my Pineapple Fried Rice, and you can use the technique below to adapt your favorite fried rice recipe or use what you have in the fridge!

No matter what direction you go, you'll still do your cooking in two rounds, just like below. Here's what you do:

  • Round 1: These are the veggies that need the most time to cook. Think hard veggies like carrots, celery, onions, and eggplant that would take a while tosoften on the stove.
  • Round 2: This is where you add your cauliflower rice and your quicker-cooking veggies, like broccoli, kale, and mushrooms. Because veggie cooking times may vary, Round 2 might needup to 2-3additional minutes to complete. Check for doneness after 5 minutes, and if your veggies aren't cooked to your liking, cook for another 2-3. Easy peasy!
Air Fried Cauliflower Rice - Glue & Glitter, Easy Vegan Recipes (2)

You can also omit the tofu or substitute other plant-based proteins like seitan or vegan chicken strips. Check out my Big Guide to Vegan Meat Alternatives for other substitution ideas.

Mix, match, and have fun with it! Don't be shy about raiding your fridge and freezer for ingredients.

Whether you follow my recipe to the letter of mix up your own, air fried cauliflower riceis a quick and easy weeknight dish that's ready in under 30 minutes.

More vegan fried rice

  • Pineapple Fried Rice
  • Kimchi Fried Rice

📖 Recipe

Air Fried Cauliflower Rice - Glue & Glitter, Easy Vegan Recipes (5)

Air Fryer Cauliflower Rice

by Becky Striepe

It is so easy to make cauliflower rice in the air fryer! Not only is air fryer cauliflower rice delicious, it's super versatile, so you can use what you have on hand.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 5 servings

Ingredients

For the eggy tofu

  • ½ block firm or extra firm tofu
  • 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ½ cup diced onion
  • ½ cup diced carrot about 1 ½ to 2 carrots
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon black salt for an eggy flavor. You can use regular salt, if you can't find black salt.

For the cauliflower rice

  • 3 cups riced cauliflower Cauliflower minced into pieces smaller than the size of a pea. You can do this by hand with a box-style cheese crater, use your food processor to pulse into pieces, or buy pre-riced, bagged cauliflower.
  • ½ cup finely chopped broccoli
  • ½ cup frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1 ½ teaspoons toasted sesame oil optional, but recommended
  • 2 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, crumble the tofu (you're going for scrambled egg-size pieces, not ricotta here), then toss with the rest of the eggy tofu ingredients. Air fry at 370° F for 10 minutes, shaking once.

  • Meanwhile, toss together all of the cauliflower rice ingredients in a large bowl.

  • Add all the cauliflower rice mixture to your air fryer, shake gently, and cook at 370° F for 10 more minutes, shaking after 5 minutes. Riced cauliflower can vary quite a bit in size and different air fryer cook at different rates, so if you feel like yours doesn't look done enough at this point, you can cook for an additional 2 to 5 minutes. Just shake and check in every couple of minutes until it's done to your liking.

Video

📝 Notes

Nutritional information is for a side dish portion. Air fryer cauliflower rice serves 5 to 6 people as a side dish or 3 as an entree. I calculated for 5 servings.

Save a dish and toss the riced cauliflower mixture together in the same bowl you used to toss the tofu mixture together. No need to even rinse it out in between uses. You can even use your serving bowl for mixing, just rinse it out before you dish up the cooked cauliflower fried rice.

Leftovers will keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or in the air fryer at 350° F for about 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Cauliflower Rice

Amount per Serving

Calories

93

% Daily Value*

Fat

2

g

3

%

Saturated Fat

0.5

g

3

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

1

g

Potassium

530

mg

15

%

Carbohydrates

12

g

4

%

Fiber

4

g

16

%

Sugar

5

g

6

%

Protein

7

g

14

%

Vitamin A

2305

IU

46

%

Vitamin C

62

mg

75

%

Calcium

55

mg

6

%

Iron

2

mg

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keywords air fryer cauliflower rice

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About Becky Striepe

Air Fried Cauliflower Rice - Glue & Glitter, Easy Vegan Recipes (6)

Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

Learn more about me >>>

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Got a question? Tried this recipe? Leave a reply!

  1. Sarah Jackson

    so happy to find this blog! I just ordered my first air fryer on a hunch it could be useful. Then got a little nervous about how useful it would be for vegetarian (well flex-itarians) like myself! Lots of great options here. Can't wait to get mine. Have you considered doing an air fryer ebook? I'll be your first customer :-)

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      Aw, thank you so much! Holler if there's anything I can do to help. No book in the works at the moment, but I appreciate the kind words!

      Reply

  2. Hannah

    You make me want an air fryer, oy! I'm usually so anti-new appliances, but I feel like this thing is amazing.

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      Haha I know what you mean. O love gadgets, but finding the storage space for them can be a pain!

      Reply

  3. Ginny McMeans

    Delicious and love the video too!

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      Thank you so much, Ginny!

      Reply

  4. Sina @Vegan Heaven

    What a great dinner! I still need to get an air-fryer!! One of my best friends got one and she always tells me how great it is and that I really need to get one. I think it's about time now! :D

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      I am obsessed with mine!

      Reply

  5. Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen

    You make me want to get an air fryer sooooo bad!!! This rice looks amazing. :)

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      Thank you so much, Ceara!

      Reply

  6. Alisa Fleming

    Well I don't have an air fryer but may have to make this recipe anyway! It's a flavor variation on cauli rice that I haven't tried yet.

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      Enjoy it, Alisa!

      Reply

  7. Melissa | Vegan Huggs

    This is such a great idea! I love fried cauliflower rice, but I never thought about making it in an air fryer. I still have to get one of those. So neat!

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      Thank you, Melissa!

      Reply

  8. Sarah

    Ooh, this looks so delicious! I don't have an air fryer, so I'd have to do mine on the stove top, but I love the idea of using cauliflower rice! And I love "Being Your Own Chef" in the kitchen, using what's on hand!

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      You can totally convert this to a stovetop recipe. Enjoy it, Sarah!

      Reply

  9. Greg @ Full of Beans

    I'm thinking that we really need to try an air fryer. We love cauliflower dishes and now...THIS ONE! It looks delicious!

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      Thank you, Greg! I love our air fryer. We use it at least once a day!

      Reply

  10. Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day

    This is amazing, Becky! You have figured out how to make pretty much everything in the air fryer!

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      Aw, thank you, Amy! I was pretty sure this wouldn't work, so it was a pleasant surprise for sure!

      Reply

  11. Nicole Dawson

    You must be working on an air-fryer cookbook with all the recipes you've been coming up. I just love them and can't wait to buy my own air fryer.

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      Aw, thank you, Nicole!

      Reply

  12. Mel | avirtualvegan.com

    What an easy dinner. I would love a bowl of this with a rather large drizzle of hot sauce!

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      You get me, girl! I douse mine in sriracha.

      Reply

  13. Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite

    I love cauliflower rice!! It's so inventive to do it in the air fryer!

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      Thank you, Sophia!

      Reply

    • Cynthia

      That looks delicious! I just bought my air fryer today, been meaning to make cauliflower fried rice since forever cause it's definitely one of the things I do miss on a keto woe, can't wait to try it, thanks!!!

      Reply

      • Becky Striepe

        Enjoy it, Cynthia!

        Reply

  14. Dianne

    This is so clever, Becky! I can't wait to try it.

    Reply

  15. Mary Ellen @ VNutrition

    Oooh, you always come up with great ideas, I don't know how you do it. This looks simply delicious!

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      Thank you so much, Mary Ellen!

      Reply

  16. Jenn

    I wish I had an air fryer because I would totally make this for lunch today. It looks and sounds fabulous! Love all the veggies packed in there!

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      Aw, thank you, Jenn!

      Reply

  17. Linda @ Veganosity

    I NEED an air-fryer so I can make this amazing looking fried rice. It sounds incredible, and I'm all for a healthier fried rice.

    Reply

    • Becky Striepe

      Thank you, Linda! You can convert it to a stovetop recipe pretty easily, I think. You might need more oil, since round 1 doesn't use any in the air fryer.

      Reply

Air Fried Cauliflower Rice - Glue & Glitter, Easy Vegan Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you make cauliflower rice less watery? ›

The best way to deal with the liquid is to put the riced cauliflower in a covered microwave-safe dish, heat it thoroughly to get all the liquid out of it you can, then drain it. If you have to cook it on the stovetop, add as little water as possible and stir frequently to keep it from sticking to the pan.

How do you get moisture out of riced cauliflower? ›

One additional step I like is to press any excess moisture from the rice by transferring the cauliflower rice to a large paper towel or absorbent dish towel and squeeze/press to remove any remaining water. This ensures no excess moisture remains, which can make your dish soggy.

Why is my cauliflower fried rice soggy? ›

Be sure to thaw frozen riced cauliflower before using, and wring out any excess moisture to keep your fried rice from getting soggy.

How do you make cauliflower rice not smell? ›

Some people just don't like the smell of cauliflower. You can minimize it by cooking it quickly, and not overcooking it. Cauliflower rice is chopped into very small pieces, and requires only minimal cooking.

What will adding lemon juice to the water for cooking cauliflower do? ›

Food Science

Cauliflower contains some phytonutrients, these nutrients may react with iron cookware and gives the cauliflower a brownish color. To prevent this add some lemon juice to the cauliflower or to the water in which it is blanched.

Is cauliflower rice healthier than white rice? ›

However, rice can be high in calories and carbohydrates, meaning it will fill you up without providing you with many additional nutrients. Substituting cauliflower rice for white rice is a great way to get more antioxidants while reducing calories and carbohydrates in order to save room for other nutrient dense foods.

How do you thicken riced cauliflower? ›

The key to a thicker consistency is to drain the steamed cauliflower really well before pureeing or blending it up. Put the puree back into the warm pan and add grated cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and you should have a nice, thick texture. You can also add a keto thickener like glucomannan or xanthan gum.

How do you know when riced cauliflower is done? ›

Cook, stirring just every minute or so, until the cauliflower rice is hot and turning golden in places, about 6 to 10 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the chopped fresh herbs and citrus, if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve warm.

How do you thicken cauliflower? ›

Incorporate heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk to add creaminess to mashed cauliflower. Gradually add small amounts until you achieve the desired thickness.

Is cauliflower rice worth it? ›

Cauliflower has always been considered a healthy vegetable with a significant amount of nutrients. It also contains plant compounds that help reduce the risk of some diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Recently, it has been used as a substitute for white rice as a way to cut back on carbs.

What is a good substitute for cauliflower rice? ›

Cauliflower Rice

You can also try cabbage rice, broccoli rice, and zucchini rice to similar effect. Look for these veggies already “riced” in the produce section or easily dice them into rice-sized bits yourself with a food processor.

How do you keep fried rice fluffy? ›

The moisture, not temperature, of your rice is crucial for good fried rice. I make my rice using a 1:1 rice to water ratio, and then use it - straight from the rice cooker and piping hot - to make fluffy fried rice with distinct grains.

Why do I keep smelling cauliflower? ›

First, raw cauliflower does not have an odor to it, only cooked cauliflower does. The reason? Cauliflower contains sulfur compounds that naturally smell unpleasant and are brought out when cooked. Because of this, you'll never fully be able to eliminate the smell, but you can minimize it.

Is cauliflower rice good for weight loss? ›

Cauliflower has several properties that may help with weight loss. First, it is low in calories with only 27 calories per cup (107 g), so you can eat a lot of it without significantly increasing your calorie intake ( 1 ). It can also serve as a low calorie substitute for high calorie foods, such as rice and flour.

How do you get the cauliflower taste out of cauliflower? ›

To mellow the flavor, soak the entire head (leaves removed) in cold, salted water for 30 minutes before steaming. Some of the bitter components will leach out. Soaking cauliflower will also give your cauliflower a snow-white appearance. Be sure not to steam for no longer than five minutes.

Why is my cauliflower rice wet? ›

Leave riced cauliflower on the heat too long and it will become soft and soggy. Follow this tip: Quickly cooked in a little butter or olive oil on the stovetop, riced cauliflower becomes softer and more tender. As a rule of thumb, about three minutes over medium heat and not too oil much should do the trick.

How do you fix too watery rice? ›

Another easy way to fix sticky and soggy rice is by spreading them over a parchment paper and heating/baking them for 10-15 minutes at 200 degree celsius, this will extract the excess moisture from the rice and give a perfect texture to the rice.

Why is my cauliflower watery? ›

Overcooked cauliflower releases water, which will seep into the rest of the dish. So even if your sauce was thick when it went in the oven, if its in there too long, the water from the cauliflower will cause it to go watery. I would advise to not bake for longer than 20-25 minutes.

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