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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Air Fryer Cheesy Cauliflower Balls

    by Oscar Chimenti, Last Modified: June 29, 2022 This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. See the Disclosure Policy linked in my footer.

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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.

    cauliflower balls on a plate garnished with parsley and parmesan this recipe
    Jump To:
    • 🥘 Ingredients Used
    • 👨🏻‍🍳 Steps by step instructions
    • 👨🏻‍🍳 Recipe tips
    • ♨️ Recipe variations
    • More air fryer recipes you might enjoy
    • 🥣 Equipment used to make
    • 💭 Frequently asked questions
    • 🍽 Other recipes you might enjoy
    • Air Fryer Cheese Cauliflower Balls

    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.

    hand holding a fresh cauliflower ball over a plate of cauliflower rice, bread crumbs and breaded cauliflower balls

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

    plate of uncooked breaded cauliflower balls

    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.

    fried cauliflower balls in the air fryer basket
    • 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.
    cauliflower balls on a plate garnished with parsley and 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.

    ♨️ Recipe variations

    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.

    I Hacked Diabetes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliates sites. I can make a small commission on qualifying purchases.

    💭 Frequently asked questions

    Does cauliflower rice have carbs?

    Yes but not as much as regular white rice. This recipe contains 1g of carbs per cauliflower ball.

    How do you keep cauliflower rice from getting watery?

    If you follow my Cauliflower Risotto recipe you will see that I dry pan fry the cauliflower rice to remove all the moisture first.

    How come my cauliflower balls fell apart after cooking?

    If you did not allow enough time for them to cool after air frying they may have still been too soft and will easily fall apart.

    🍽 Other recipes you might enjoy

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    • bowl with spaghetti arrabiata garnished with parmesan and basil leaves next to a cheese grater and parmesan.
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    cauliflower balls on a plate garnished with parsley and parmesan
    cauliflower balls on a plate garnished with parsley and parmesan

    Air Fryer Cheese Cauliflower Balls

    Oscar
    Air fryer Cheesy Cauliflower Balls crispy and breaded with pork rind crumbs. Low carb and diabetic friendly.
    5 from 28 votes
    Print Pin This Recipe
    Prep Time : 20 mins
    Cook Time : 10 mins
    Total Time : 30 mins
    Course : Appetizer
    Cuisine : American
    Diet : Diabetic, Gluten Free
    Servings : 15 balls
    Calories : 53

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups cauliflower risotto See recipe (omit the lemon)
    • 1 cup pork rind crumbs
    • ⅔ cup grated parmesan
    • ½ teaspoon oregano
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon pepper
    Get the New E-bookCheck out Low Carb Comfort Food!

    Instructions
     

    • Make the cauliflower risotto recipe first and allow the rice to cool.
    • Preheat air fryer to 400°F
    • In a medium bowl, mix the pork rind crumbs with the parmesan, oregano and salt and pepper.
    • Shape the cold cauliflower risotto into 1" balls and then roll through the pork rind crumb mixture, place on a platter.
    • Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray and then place the cauliflower balls in the basket and air fry at 400°f for 10 minutes.
    • Allow to slightly cool before removing or they may fall apart.

    Notes

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

    This recipe card provides the basic details to make this recipe. For more information, questions or variations please review the content above the recipe card.

    Updates and Revisions

    If conflicting information between the video and recipe card, the recipe card will always have the most up to date information, ingredients and instructions.

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutritional Information

    All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 5g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0g
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    🌡️ Food safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more food guidelines

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Raquel

      December 24, 2021 at 12:07 pm

      5 stars
      So fun for a holiday party! These are so easy to make and delicious!

      Reply
    2. Jeannie

      December 24, 2021 at 5:21 am

      5 stars
      Yummy cauliflower balls and delicious, love the use of air fryer for this recipe

      Reply
    3. Jerika

      December 24, 2021 at 2:35 am

      5 stars
      Wow! This Air Fryer Cheesy Cauliflower Balls is a great recipe to get my kids to eat more vegetables especially my youngest kid whose a picky eater. Thanks and Merry Christmas!:)

      Reply
      • Oscar Chimenti

        January 19, 2022 at 5:19 pm

        Yes, I find kids love these and they don't even know its a veggie. Merry Christmas to you as well.

        Reply

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