Tender cauliflower, enveloped in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, cooked to perfection. These instructions cover both air fryer and oven methods, making it an excellent Vegetarian addition to a Sunday roast or cosy weeknight dinner or a festive occasion.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: British
Keyword: air fryer cauliflower cheese, cauliflower cheese
Servings: 4
Calories: 551kcal
Author: Sandhya Hariharan
Ingredients
1medium cauliflowerbroken into large florets (450g)
Cheese Sauce
50gbutter about 4 tbsp
56gplain flour about 4 tbsp
250mlwhole milk
250mldouble cream
1tspdijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste
75gmature cheddargrated
½tspnutmegoptional
On the top
50gred Leicester cheese
50gcheddar cheese
Instructions
Bring a large pan of water to the boil, then add cauliflower pieces, and cook for 5 mins – lift out a piece to test, it should be cooked. Drain and add it to an oven proof dish
1 medium cauliflower
Simultaneously, make a cheese sauce.Heat butter in a pan. When melted, add the flour and cook continuously in low flame to create a roux.
50 g butter, 56 g plain flour, 250 ml whole milk, 250 ml double cream, salt and pepper to taste, 75 g mature cheddar
Then add the milk and cream a little at a time first and continue to whisk until thick.
Add the dijon mustard, remaining cream / milk and a pinch of nutmeg and stir and cook until the sauce bubbles.Switch off the flame and add cheddar cheese.
1 tsp dijon mustard, ½ tsp nutmeg
Place the cauliflower florets in a baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over until fully coated. Scatter red Leicester cheese and cheddar cheese all over.
50 g red Leicester cheese, 50 g cheddar cheese
Air frying
Transfer the dish to the air fryer basket. Air fry at 180C for 5-6 minutes until the cheese has melted, bubbling and the top is brown.
Baking in the Oven
Preheat the oven to 200C. If you would like to bake, place the the dish in the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese has melted and bubbling and the top is brown.