Name: Air fryer Gobi 65 (Cauliflower 65)
Prep time: 7 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 37 min
Ingredients: 1 small cauliflower ( or 1 lb.); ½ cup cashew yogurt; 1 tbsp. ginger garlic paste; 1 sprig curry leaves; 1 tbsp. chickpea flour; 1 tbsp. cornstarch; 1 tsp. lemon juice; 1 tsp. oil; 2 tsp. Kashmiri chilli powder (or paprika); ½ tsp. turmeric; ¾ tsp. garam masala; ¾ tsp. pepper; ¾ tsp. Salt

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Cauliflower 65 or Gobi 65 in air fryer is a spicy and tasty crispy cauliflower appetiser or snack.

It is the vegan version of the crowd-favourite Chicken 65 recipe. Goes really well as a side too. The cauliflower is crunchy outside while staying moist inside.

You will also love Gobi manchurian, Aloo gobi, Air fryer Whole Cauliflower, Teriyaki Cauliflower, Buffalo cauliflower bites, whole cauliflower, cauliflower steaks,

What is Gobi 65?

Gobi 65 is a popular and spicy South Indian dish made with bite-sized cauliflower florets. These are traditionally made deep fried, but here I have air fried them.

You will love its signature tastes of pepper and curry leaves. The air fried version barely uses any oil but tastes fantastic!

Ingredients

Cauliflower: I have used a small cauliflower here.

Marinade: Any plant-based yogurt works for the marinade along with spices like turmeric, Kashmiri chilli powder or paprika for colour, pepper, curry leaves and others.

Lemon juice: It enhances the taste of the marinade.

Ginger garlic paste: This is a must for a depth of flavour.

Chickpea flour and cornstarch: This gives it a lovely coating. Traditionally the recipes uses all-purpose flour that can be used in place of chickpea flour if you so prefer.

Oil: A little is needed for the colour as well as to make gobi 65 moist.

Instructions

Remove the leaves and cut the florets into bite-sized pieces. Before air frying, it is useful to parboil the cauliflower in hot water.I normally soak in boiling hot water, covered with a pan for about 5 minutes.

Cauliflower florets placed in a pan of hot water for parboiling

Drain and then dry the florets thoroughly before marinating. For the marinade mix together your plant-based yogurt with all the spices, flours, lemon juice, finely chopped curry leaves, ginger garlic paste, oil and some salt. Make a smooth marinade.

Ingredients for marination of Gobi 65 in a shallow bowl

Now coat the cauliflower florets with this marinade to cover them well.

Set aside for 15 minutes for more flavour.

Cauliflower florets after marination in a shallow bowl

Preheat air fryer at 180C or 360F for 3 minutes. Lay cauliflower florets in one row in the air fryer basket.

Air fry at 180C or 360F for 12-15 minutes till the cauliflower is golden in colour and cooked inside. The parboiling of cauliflower helps in cooking it well while still avoiding the cauliflower drying out.

Gobi 65 after air frying in air fryer basket

In the final minute of air frying, add a few curry leaves and chopped green chillies in the air fryer basket.

Air fry some more. Your Gobi 65 or Cauliflower 65 is ready to serve. Enjoy with a green chutney on the side.

Expert Tips

1. Do not overcrowd the air fryer to ensure that the cauliflower bites cook evenly. If needed, you can do more batches.

2. Parboiling the cauliflower is a great way in keeping the slight bite in the cauliflower intact while preventing it from drying out and becoming hard during air frying.

4. Customise the spices to your taste. This recipe is spicy. Adjust cayenne and pepper as per taste. Skip green chillies if you like.

5. This recipe has a signature taste of curry leaves both in the marinade and in the tempering. Don’t skip that.

6. Once cooked, you can store it in the fridge for upto 3 days in an air-tight container. Reheat in air fryer and serve hot. You can freeze leftover Gobi 65 as well. Then reheat in the air fryer and serve.

7. You can make the same recipe with Broccoli as well.

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