Easy And Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks

These air fryer cauliflower steaks are one of my favorite ways to turn a simple head of cauliflower into something with plenty of flavor and texture. The edges get golden and crispy while the middle stays tender, and the turmeric, cumin, paprika, and garlic give every bite a warm, savory flavor.

They only take about 30 minutes from start to finish, so they’re easy enough to make when you need a quick vegetable side. If you want another crispy veggie recipe, try these Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites next. Keep reading because this cauliflower steak recipe air fryer method is really simple once you know how to cut and season the cauliflower.

Jump to:

• Video Tutorial
• Try These Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks
• Why You’ll Love It
• Ingredients
• How to Make Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks To Perfection
• Recipe Tips
• What Can You Serve With This?
• FAQs
• Recipe

Video Tutorial

Try These Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks

If you normally break cauliflower into loose florets, cutting it into thick cauliflower steaks makes it feel like a completely different dish. I really like how the flat sides get browned and crispy while the thicker middle stays tender.

The spice mixture is simple in this easy recipe, but there’s plenty of it. Cauliflower is quite mild on its own, so the turmeric, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder make a big difference here.

Why You’ll Love It

• Crispy outside: The air fryer gives the cauliflower lovely golden, crisp edges, even better than oven made cauliflower.
• Tender middle: You still get that soft cauliflower texture underneath the browned outside.
• Easy seasoning: Turmeric, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder give the cauliflower plenty of flavor without needing a long ingredient list.
• Quick to make: Prep takes about 10 minutes, and cooking takes 15–20 minutes.

Ingredients

• Cauliflower: I like using a large, tightly packed cauliflower for this air fryer cauliflower steaks recipe because it’s much easier to cut into proper steaks that hold together. A loose head tends to fall apart more easily when you start slicing it.
• Olive oil: This helps the spices coat the cauliflower and gives the outside that lovely roasted finish. Two tablespoons is enough to coat the steaks without making them oily.
• Cumin: I really like the warm, earthy flavor cumin gives cauliflower. It works especially well alongside the turmeric and stops the seasoning from tasting too plain.
• Paprika: This adds another layer of savory flavor without making the cauliflower spicy. I like it here because it works with the cumin and garlic rather than overpowering the cauliflower.

How to Make Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks To Perfection

1. Start by preheating your air fryer to a temperature of 200°C (400°F).

2. Trim the base and remove the leaves from the cauliflower head. Cut the cauliflower head into two equal halves. From each half, slice out steaks approximately 1 cm thick. For aesthetic appeal and even cooking, trim the edges of the steaks to make them neat and evenly sized.

3. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, turmeric, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder to make a marinade. Season the spice blend with salt and pepper according to your preference. Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure all the spices are well integrated.

4. Place the cauliflower steaks on a large plate or in a bowl. Apply the spice blend marinade evenly on the steaks, ensuring all sides are well coated.

5. Arrange the seasoned cauliflower thick slices in a single layer on the air fryer tray. To prevent sticking, you can lightly spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking oil if necessary. 

6. Slide the tray into the preheated air fryer and bake the steaks for approximately 15-20 minutes. To ensure an even cook and browning, flip the roast cauliflower steaks halfway through the cooking time.

7. Your Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks are ready to serve once they turn a lovely golden brown and are delightfully crispy. For an added touch, garnish them with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley, and lemon wedges, and add your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!

Recipe Tips

• Choose a large, tightly packed cauliflower head so the steaks hold together better when sliced.
• Try to cut the steaks evenly, so they cook at the same rate.
• Don’t overcrowd or stack the cauliflower in the air fryer. Cook in batches if needed.
• Flip the steaks halfway through cooking so both sides get evenly browned.
• I’d start checking them around the 10-minute mark because different air fryers can cook at different speeds.
• Don’t be shy with the seasoning. Roasted cauliflower is mild, so coating it well makes a big difference. Add some red pepper flakes for a slight bite.

What Can You Serve With This?

• Green salad
• Grilled chicken
• Fresh fish
• Quinoa pilaf
• Rice
• White beans

FAQs

Recipe