Air Fryer Cheesy Cauliflower Balls

Super crispy Air Fryer Cheesy Cauliflower Balls are a great low carb side dish or appetizer and a perfect way to sneak in more vegetables with the kids.

Using my cauliflower risotto recipe to make these cauliflower bites, super tasty and breaded with a parmesan and pork rind crumb mixture. A quick and easy air fryer or oven recipe.

this recipe

These air fryer cauliflower balls are a spin on my Low Carb Arancini Balls recipe but are made into smaller little bites for sharing at holiday gatherings and get togethers.

This cheesy air fryer recipe is a perfect finger food that is not messy and can be kept warm in the oven until guests arrive.

🥘 Ingredients Used

Made with a quick breading of pork rind crumbs, grated parmesan and oregano that doesn't require any dipping in eggs before making this low carb cauliflower rice recipe.

• Cauliflower Risotto: using a sticky cauliflower rice like my Cauliflower Risotto (without the lemon) recipe helps to easily shape them into balls before breading and tossing in the air fryer.
• Parmesan: a little sweet, salty and nutty, grated parmesan cheese is perfect to use as breading for these cute mashed cauliflower balls.
• Pork Rind Crumbs: simply grind some pork rinds in the blend to make the crumbs, adding a crispy texture to the fried cauliflower balls.
• Oregano: one of my favourite spices that are not too strong and is a more neutral herb that everyone seems to enjoy.

👨🏻‍🍳 Steps by step instructions

How to make the Air Fryer Cheesy Cauliflower Balls

STEP 1: First step is to make my Cauliflower Risotto recipe but omit the lemon. Allow it to cool and then prepare the breading for the cauliflower rice balls.

At this point you will want to preheat the Air Fryer or oven to 400°F.

To make the breading mixture place 1 cup of pork rind crumbs in a medium bowl with the grated parmesan, oregano and salt and pepper. Mix with a fork until well combined.

Next create the assembly line of the cold risotto, the pork rind breading and a platter to place the breaded cauliflower balls onto.

Using a cookie scoop or your hands roll the cauliflower risotto into 1 inch balls and then roll through the breading mixture.

STEP 2: Make each cauliflower ball one at a time and place on a platter to prepare for air frying or the oven.

STEP 3: Once you have all the cauliflower balls breaded, place them in the air fryer basket sprayed with cooking spray/oil or on a parchment lined baking sheet if making in the oven.

If air frying, lightly spray the balls with cooking spray. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes or if making in the oven you will want to bake them at the same temperature for about 25-30 minutes until your balls are crispy and golden brown.

• STEP 4: Allow to slightly cool before removing them from the air fryer basket as they will still be soft and easy to fall apart.
• Allowing them to cool will help them to firm up a bit. If a little sticky, once they are cooled, try removing them with a metal spatula to loosen them up.
• Serve topped with chopped parsley and some grated parmesan.

👨🏻‍🍳 Recipe tips

Top Tip: making the cheesy cauliflower risotto is key, otherwise if you simply use cauliflower rice, it will not stick together well enough to shape them into balls.

Tip: If you make my Cauliflower Mash recipe you can also use the leftover cauliflower mash to make these fried cauliflower balls.

• Serving: serve with a side of marinara sauce for dipping or a creamy dill or ranch dressing
• Storage: store in an airtight container for up to 4 days, reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 5 minutes.
• Freeze: freeze in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month, allow to thaw to room temperature and reheat in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 300°F.

I love these cute little cauliflower cheese balls as they are but I know some of you like to live on the edge and kick it up from time to time. Here are just a few variations on how you can make these air fryer cauliflower rice balls.

• Tots - make them into cauliflower tots instead of balls, simply shape them into tots and roll them through the breadcrumb mixture the same as you would if you made the balls.
• Extra Crispy - if you want them super crispy and don't mind the added carbs, try using panko crumbs instead of pork rind crumbs. 1 cup of panko crumbs has roughly 40g of carbs. This is also an option if you don't eat pork products.
• Spice it up - I like them spicy too but I ketp this recipe neutral in case it's for a group of people. However, add all the spices you can think of to the breadcrumb mixture like cayenne, chili pepper flakes, chili powder. You can even add some garlic powder for a more garlicky flavoured rice ball.

This recipe is gluten free.

More air fryer recipes you might enjoy

• Keto Air Fryer Pizza
• Keto Air Fryer Devilled Eggs
• Low Carb Air Fryer Arancini Balls
• Air Fryer Low Carb Stuffed Pepper
• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potatoes

🥣 Equipment used to make

I do get a lot of use out of my air fryer. In fact I probably use it way more than the oven. Here are just a few air fryers in case you are looking to purchase one.

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