Cauliflower with potato and salmon in an air fryer – A one-basket wonder

Healthy and delicious, all on the same plate! 

Cauliflower, potatoes, and salmon, when cooked in an air fryer with the right seasonings can deliver a dish that’s both delicious and nutritious. With tender cauliflower, crispy potatoes, and perfectly flaky salmon, this meal is quick to prepare, easy to cook, and packed with flavour. It’s a one-basket wonder for those busy weeknights or when you’re just looking for a healthy, easy to prepare dinner option.

Let’s elevate these fresh, local and in season vegetables into an effortless, tasty dish. 

What You’ll Need for This Air Fryer Feast

Serves: 2
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes

For the Cauliflower:

• 300g cauliflower florets
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Potatoes:

• 300g potatoes, diced into 2.5cm cubes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp dried rosemary (or 1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Salmon:

• 2 salmon fillets (about 170g each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp of lemon juice
• 1 tsp honey
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step: From Prep to Plate

1. Prep the Potatoes

Preheat the air fryer to 200°C. Toss the diced potatoes with olive oil, rosemary, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes, shaking halfway through.

2. Prep the Cauliflower

While the potatoes cook, toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. After 10 minutes, add the cauliflower to the air fryer basket with the potatoes, and cook for another 10 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and tender.

3. Prep the Salmon

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Brush the mixture evenly over the salmon fillets.

4. Cook the Salmon

Once the potatoes and cauliflower are done, move them to a plate and keep warm. Reduce the air fryer temperature to 190°C. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the basket and cook for 8–10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 63°C.

Pro tip:
Garnish with a squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This dish is the epitome of balance— with tender cauliflower for texture, matched with crispy potatoes, and the softness of salmon, this dish is the perfect quick and simple meal to cook up as part of your weekly routine. The smoky paprika and zesty lemon juice tie everything together, making it a wholesome meal perfect for sharing. The air fryer ensures everything cooks evenly and quickly, with minimal clean-up, delivering perfectly tender cooked cauliflower and crisp potatoes every time. Serve it with a side of fresh, local and in season veggies, and you’re sorted. Plus, this recipe is a fantastic introduction to using your air fryer for complete meals, as it's energy-efficient, faster than an oven, and guarantees satisfying crunch and bold flavours. This dish is simple, versatile and will quickly become a new weeknight favourite, packed with nutrients and ridiculously easy to make. 

So let veggies transform your air fryer game!  For more fresh, local and seasonal fruit and vegetable recipes, check out Bord Bia’s ‘Life is Better with Fruit and Vegetables’ EU co-funded campaign at fruitnveg.ie and follow @lifeisbetter.ie for more fruit and veg inspiration. 

Brought to you by Bord Bia.