Cauliflower Air Fryer Taco Bowls

Our cauliflower Air Fryer Taco Bowls are a simple vegetarian option that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep! Add your favorite toppings for a simple meal your family will love.

recipe overview

These Cauliflower Air Fryer Taco Bowls are super simple to assemble and perfect for meal prep! This naturally vegetarian recipe is great for Meatless Monday and is easy to make vegan without the sauce.

Add this deliciously seasoned cauliflower to your favorite taco toppings for an easy weeknight dinner in a flash your family will love. Everyone can make their own bowl, so picky eaters rejoice!

ingredients you’ll need

• Cauliflower: This is my favorite meat alternative! It goes well with most seasonings and can be made to fit any cuisine.
• Oil: I try not to use excess oil when I don’t need it, but without it in this taco bowl recipe, the seasonings don’t stick to the cauliflower!
• Chili powder: This is the base of my seasoning blend for this basic taco seasoning. It’s usually a blend of spices like cumin, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
• Garlic salt: I use this A LOT in my recipes because it combines the salt with the flavor punch of ground garlic.
• Smoked paprika: You can use regular paprika in a pinch, but I love the added smokey flavor this brings to the dish!
• Cumin: Often found in Indian and Mexican food, cumin brings a warm, earthy flavor to the mix.
• Oregano: This leafy herb comes in two varieties: Mediterranean oregano, popular in Italian recipes and Mexican oregano, which is the ideal option here.
• Cayenne pepper: A little goes a long way with this spice! I like a little heat in my taco bowls, but you can skip it, too.

how to make them

1. Wash your cauliflower thoroughly.
2. Remove the stems and leaves and chop the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. You want the pieces to be about the same size so they cook evenly. Add a little oil.
3. Mix all your taco “meat” seasonings together in a bowl.
4. Stir your oiled cauliflower with the seasonings and coat evenly.
5. Air fry your cauliflower bites at 380 degrees F (or 193 degrees C!) until fork tender.
6. Divide the cauliflower into bowls with your favorite taco toppings and enjoy! I prefer white rice, tomatoes, corn, cilantro, green onions, and a great lime crema sauce!

topping ideas

Most taco bowls have a base of rice, but you can skip this step or swap for black beans for added protein.

I like to keep the toppings simple with corn, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, green onions, and a little lime juice. I also add a creamy lime sauce on top, but you can skip or modify that for vegan options.

You can also add lettuce, sautéed peppers, and onions, your favorite salsa, cheese, sour cream, or guacamole. The sky’s the limit for these Cauliflower Air Fryer Taco Bowls!

If you’re looking for tofu taco bowls, try this Tofu Sofritas that’s great for any Mexican dish!

what to serve with taco bowls

Rice and beans are my favorite part at Mexican restaurants. These easy southwest seasoned black beans are my favorite!

For an Air Fryer-only meal, make this Air Fryer Elote! This Mexican corn on the cob cooks in less than 10 minutes, so you can build your bowls while it roasts.

I love tater tots, and this Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is a great easy side dish packed with black beans, corn, olives, and cheese.

preparing beforehand?

Cauliflower Air Fryer Taco Bowls are so easy to meal prep! One recipe makes four servings, so you can make this on Sunday and eat it for lunch Monday through Thursday!

Air fry the cauliflower and let it cool completely before assembly. The steam can wilt ingredients like cilantro, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Assemble your bowls and put the sauce in a small container to add after reheating. I also put my garnishes in a bowl until time to eat.