Roasted Cauliflower w/ Spicy Tahini Sauce

Crunchy, spicy, sweet - all in one bite. This roasted cauliflower with Calabrian tahini and pickled golden raisins gets its crunch from 15 minutes in the air fryer.

Why You'll Love Roasted Cauliflower w/ Spicy Tahini Sauce

This dish is all about contrast. The cauliflower turns golden and crisp in just 15 minutes, the tahini sauce brings heat and creaminess, and the pickled raisins punch through with sweet acidity. It works on a mezze board or as a bold side for a weeknight dinner, and it comes together with minimal cleanup.

Tips and Tricks

• Adjust water in tahini sauce to reach desired creaminess.
• Flip cauliflower halfway for even roasting and better crispness.

Variations

• Swap pickled raisins for dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds.
• Roast cauliflower in the oven at 400°F for 20 minutes if you don't have an air fryer.

Substitutions

• Use regular raisins if pickled are unavailable (consider adding a splash of vinegar to mimic tang).
• Substitute Calabrian chili with red pepper flakes for heat.

Best served with

• Grain bowls, grilled meats, or as a bold side for weeknight dinners.
• Pita bread and fresh herbs for a Mediterranean vibe.

How to Store Leftovers

• Store cauliflower and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge up to 3 days.
• Reheat cauliflower in a toaster oven or air fryer to maintain crispness.

Common Questions

Roasted Cauliflower w/ Spicy Tahini Sauce

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Crunchy, spicy, sweet: all in one bite. This roasted cauliflower with Calabrian tahini and pickled golden raisins isn't just a dish, it's a texture party you won't want to stop.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 18 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: Californian, Mediterranean

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

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Cauliflower

• 1 head Cauliflower broken into florets, large florets halved
• 2 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt to taste

Garnish

• ¼ cup - Pickled golden raisins

Spicy Tahini Sauce

• ¼ cup Tahini
• ¼ cup Water
• 2 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon White wine vinegar
• 2-3 cloves Garlic roughly chopped
• 1-2 teaspoon Finely chopped calabrian chili peppers
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• High-speed blender or mini food processor

Method

 

Roast Cauliflower

1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
2. Remove leaves and core from cauliflower, separate into florets.
3. Toss florets in olive oil and kosher salt.
4. Transfer to air fryer basket, cook 10-15 minutes until golden brown, flipping halfway through.

Make Spicy Tahini Sauce

1. Combine sauce ingredients (except water) in blender or food processor.
2. Blend while slowly adding water until smooth (~1 minute).
3. Season with salt, pepper, Calabrian chili, and vinegar to taste.

Assemble

1. Place roasted cauliflower in a bowl, drizzle with spicy tahini sauce.
2. Top with pickled golden raisins. Serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: Keep the cauliflower and tahini sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the cauliflower in the oven or air fryer to bring back some crispness, and loosen the sauce with a splash of water if it's thickened up.

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