Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook time: 15 mins | Total time: 20 mins
Course: Side | Servings: 4
Difficulty level: Easy
Ingredients:
- 1 medium cauliflower, leaves and core included
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 ½ tbsp whole wheat flour
- 1 ½ cup milk
- 100 grams grated cheese, parmesan + cheddar in equal ratios
- 1 cup peas
- 1 slice white bread, cut into bite size squares
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- ½ tsp roasted garlic flakes
Instructions:
- Preheat air fryer to 160 C
- Cut the cauliflower into bite size florets, and roughly chop the core and leaves. In a mixing bowl, loss the cauliflower with 2 tbsp of the olive oil, salt to taste and pepper. Transfer cauliflower to the fry basket of the air fryer, and air-fry at 160 C for 10 minutes, checking and stirring the cauliflower at the halfway mark to ensure it is evenly cooked through. The end result you’re aiming for is a nice caramelization on the cauliflower, browning at the edges
- While the cauliflower is cooking, melt butter in a pan on medium-low heat. Add flour and stir. Cook until the flour browns slightly, about 2 mins. Whisk in ½ cup of the milk, stirring continuously to get a smooth thick paste with no lumps. Add the rest of the milk, and allow the sauce to cook until it reaches a thick consistency. Add peas and cook for another 2 mins. Season with salt and pepper.
- Turn off the heat and add the cheese. Mix well until the cheese dissolves.
- In a separate pan, add olive oil on medium-high heat. Once hot, add bread, chilli flakes and garlic flakes. Toss until bread is toasted and crisp. Remove from pan.
- Remove cauliflower from the air fryer and transfer it to a serving dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower.
- To serve, top with toasted bread and grate some parmesan. Serve hot