Cauliflower cheese perfection

Start by finding a baking dish that is suitable for use in your air fryer and the right size to fit into the air fryer basket, or air fryer pot.

I have a Ninja Foodi OL750UK and so I remove the inner basket and just use the main cooking pot. Then I use my favourite ceramic Le Creuset dish, or an enamel dish.

Prepare your cauliflower.

Personally I like to cut the cauliflower florets from the cauliflower head, place into salted cold water, bring to the boil and then I will drain after 5-6 minutes. You CAN boil the entire head, stalk out of the water, and then cut the florets off after cooked if you want to make it easier to remove the florets.

Drain this and set to the side.

Melt the butter in a saucepan and then add the flour. Mix well.

Cook for 1 minute.

Add the salt, mustard, garlic and a pinch of nutmeg. Then slowly add the milk, while whisking the mixture, until it is fully combined. Once you have mixed in all of the milk just remove the saucepan from the heat.

Add in the cheddar cheese, stir continuously until it is melted. Only add back onto the heat if needed. Add the pepper and stir through.

Once you’ve prepared your cheese sauce stir through the drained cauliflower florets and add these to the cheese sauce.

Place this into your air fryer suitable dish and then add the cheese mix to the top, or another topping of your choice (see below for suggestions).

Then pop it into the air fryer.

Air fry at 200C for 5-6 minutes, until the top is golden brown.

There is no need to stir this during cooking, or disturb it at all, but do check at 4-5 minutes, just to ensure that the top is not burning as each air fryer is different. Check my air fryer tips for some other tips and tricks to using the air fryer too