This easy air fryer cauliflower steaks recipe make a delicious vegan main, starter or side. There's hardly any prep time which makes it a mid-week winner for me. Add your choice of spice rubs and toppings to elevate the flavours.
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My family are not what you would call cauliflower fans (unless it’s smothered in a mountain of cheese). But that’s because until now, they’ve only ever eaten boiled cauliflower. So they were intrigued when I presented them with this air fryer cauliflower steaks recipe. They declared it so delicious that they wolfed down the lot! If you’re looking for a new way to get more veggies into your family’s weekly meals, this is a great option – particularly if they turn their noses up at boiled vegetables.
How to make roasted cauliflower steaks
To make this air fryer cauliflower steaks recipe, I simply cut thick slices from the centre of the cauliflower. I then brush them with oil and seasoning and air fry for 15 minutes (flipping them over after 10 minutes). I served them with a vibrant salsa of lemon, parsley, capers and olives. They’re totally adaptable – you could serve them with a pesto dressing, a cheese sauce or a garlic butter (for non-vegans).
Ingredients
- Cauliflower – I used a medium-sized cauliflower and cut three ‘steaks’ from the centre. I saved the florets from the edges to make my simple air fryer cauliflower florets another time.
- Oil – I used olive oil but avocado oil works well too. Learn more about the different types of oil that are suitable for air frying.
- Seasoning – I added salt, pepper and paprika to the oil before brushing onto the cauliflower.
See recipe card for quantities.
Tip: How to Air Fry Cauliflower Steaks
Begin by removing the green leaves from the outside of the cauliflower. If it hasn’t already been washed, now is the time to give it a wash under running water and thoroughly dry.
Place the cauliflower on a chopping board and use a large knife to slice off the end. This will give you a steady base so that your cauliflower sits on your board without moving while you slice.
Then slice straight through the middle of the cauliflower. Take each half and cut steaks that are around ¾ inch (2cm) thick. Aim to make the steaks the same thickness so that they cook evenly. Depending on the size of your cauliflower, you should get 1 or 2 steaks from each half.
Keep the florets from the edges to cook another time (they will store, covered in the fridge for 4-5 days).
Instructions
Slice your cauliflower into steaks (see tip above).
Combine oil with your chosen seasonings.
Brush the oil onto the cauliflower (or use your hands to rub the oil across the surface).
Air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 10 minutes. Turn and cook for a further 5 minutes or until tender and golden.
Helpful hints:
- Cook the cauliflower in a single layer. I like to remove the tray from the bottom of the air fryer basket. I then place the cauliflower on an air fryer liner (but don't worry if you don't have any liners, you can place it directly onto the base of the basket).
- For extra crispiness, pat the cauliflower dry with a paper towel before coating with the seasoned oil. This helps to remove excess moisture, allowing the cauliflower to crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
Why roast cauliflower in an air fryer?
If you’ve not tried cauliflower in an air fryer – give it a go today. Honestly, even if you think you don’t like cauliflower, it will be a revelation. The heat of the air fryer cooks the cauliflower without making it soggy. The slightly crispy florets have a slightly nutty flavour and the stalk becomes wonderfully tender. Plus Cooking roasted cauliflower in the air fryer takes less time than roasting in the oven, making it ideal for busy evenings. My cauliflower steaks recipe takes just 15 minutes to cook.
Variations
You can switch the seasoning to suit your preferences. For a spicy kick, try chili powder or cayenne pepper. For Mediterranean vibes, go for garlic powder and oregano or rosemary. For a cheesy twist, sprinkle with a little parmesan cheese before serving.
Equipment
I cook my cauliflower steaks in a Ninja Air Fryer (affiliate link).
A pastry brush (affiliate link) makes it easy to paint the oil onto the cauliflower (but you can use a spoon or your hands if you don't have a brush).
Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower leaves removed
- 2 tablespoon olive oil or your choice of oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika or your chosen dried herb/spice
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cut thick slices from the centre of the cauliflower. You should be able to get 2-3 steaks from a medium-sized cauliflower. (Save the extra florets for another time).
- Combine the oil with your chosen seasoning.
- Coat both sides of the cauliflower steak with the seasoned oil (a pastry brush is useful to help you get into all of the nooks and crannies).
- Place the oiled cauliflower into your air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 10 minutes. Then carefully turn the cauliflower using silicone tongs and cook for a further 5 minutes, or until the cauliflower is golden brown and tender.
- Serve with your choice of dressing (I like to serve with a simple salsa by combining olives, lemon juice, parsley and capers).
Notes
Nutrition
FAQ
This recipe is best cooked just before you plan to eat it. But you can cook it up to a day in advance and warm through for a few minutes before serving.
To make air fryer roasted cauliflower, cut the cauliflower into thick steaks through the thickest part (as in this recipe). Alternatively, cut the whole head into florets and roast in a single layer.
Yes! You can freeze cauliflower steaks before cooking them in your air fryer. This guide explains how to freeze raw cauliflower steaks: https://freezeit.co.uk/can-you-freeze-cauliflower-steaks/
Personally, I wouldn’t. Cooked cauliflower can turn mushy after freezing so I would only freeze cauliflower before cooking it.
Have you tried this recipe for air fryer cauliflower steaks? What did you think? You can let me know by leaving a ⭐star rating and a comment below. I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for visiting!
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