Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks
Last Updated on May 20, 2024 by Betty Davies
These air fryer cauliflower steaks are an easy way to fancy up your meal times in the most effortless way! With crispy florets that have a wonderful natural nutty flavor, this low carb cauliflower recipe is quick and easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
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Cauliflower is always a favorite veggie, and we’ve been enjoying these all week!
When these cauliflower steaks are seasoned and cooked in the air fryer something wonderful happens! The natural flavors of the cauliflower shine through, and they add a wonderful texture to your plate. This is one delicious veggie side dish!
Healthy, simple and quick to cook, they make a wonderful addition to pretty much any meal, and I just love the way that they look on the plate!
I recently got my air fryer, and I am totally obsessed with it! Lots more tasty recipes coming your way very very soon!
Be sure to check out my Roasted Cauliflower Rice and Lime Coconut Cauliflower Rice too!
Why you will love this recipe!
- Quick and easy: It takes minutes to prep the cauliflower steaks and they take 14 minutes to cook in the air fryer. They are a perfect addition for a weeknight meal.
- Simple Ingredients: You just need some cauliflower, oil and a few seasonings to make this tasty vegetable side dish.
- Dietary info: These air fried cauliflower steaks are low carb, vegan and gluten-free. They are low in fat and calories and contain a good amount of fiber, B vitamins and antioxidants.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower in half, then cut it into two thick steaks, about an inch an a half in thickness. Keep any unused cauliflower to use in other recipes.
- Oil: Because we use the air fryer for this recipe, use a high heat neutral oil. Vegetable, sunflower or canola all work well.
- Seasonings: The cauliflower is simply seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
How to make air fryer cauliflower steaks
Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!
- Cut the cauliflower into steaks and mix together the oil and seasonings (photo 1).
- Brush the oil over the steaks and place in the air fryer basket (photo 2).
- Cook til tender and the edges are browned (photo 3).
Recipe Variations
This is a super simple recipe, but it’s easy to make your own by mixing up the seasonings. Cumin, paprika and turmeric are all tasty choices, or add in some chili flakes for a bit of a kick.
Frequently Asked Questions
So here’s the thing about air fryers, different models can run slightly differently, so the cook time can vary from person to person. For this recipe, I found that the cauliflower steaks were perfectly done for me at 14 minutes, with a flip halfway through cooking. What I love about the air fryer is that it’ so easy to check on the food, just pull the basket out to have a quick look and then pop it back in. It’s easy to get them cooked just how you like.
If you don’t have an air fryer (get one!) you can also cook the cauliflower steaks in the oven or on the stovetop.
Oven: Place the seasoned cauliflower on a baking sheet and put in the oven for 20 mins at 400F.
Stovetop: Heat a skillet on a medium high heat and cook the steaks on each side til tender and browned.
These are super quick to prep and cook so they are a great last minutes side. If you do have leftovers, they’ll keep well covered in the fridge. You can reheat them quickly in the air fryer at 360F for 2 to 3 minutes til warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
These air fryer cauliflower work so well with most main meals. Chicken, beef, seafood and veggie dishes all sit well alongside it. Try it with:
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Preheat your air fryer before adding the cauliflower, this will help it cook more evenly.
- Cut the cauliflower around an inch and a half in thickness so that they hold together.
- Brush the seasoned oil all over the cauliflower, on both sides and around the edges, so it gets crispy all over.
- The cauliflower steaks shouldn’t be touching in the air fryer basket. If you want to cook more, then it’s best to do it in batches.
- Air fryers can vary from model to model, so you may have to adjust cooking times. The center of the cauliflower should be fork tender and golden brown and crispy on the edges.
More Vegetable Side Dishes
If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and a comment below!
Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 small cauliflower
- 2 tablespoons oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- pinch salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350F.
- Cut the cauliflower in half through the stem, then cut two thick steaks, about 1½ inches in thickness. Keep the leftover cauliflower for another recipe.
- Mix together the oil, garlic powder, onion powder and salt and pepper.
- Brush the oil mix all over the cauliflower steaks and place in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 350F for 14 minutes, flipping halfway so they get crisp all over.
Notes
- Preheat your air fryer before adding the cauliflower, this will help it cook more evenly.
- Use a high heat neutral oil like canola or vegetable.
- Brush the seasoned oil all over the cauliflower, on both sides and around the edges, so it gets crispy all over.
- The cauliflower steaks shouldn’t be touching in the air fryer basket. If you want to cook more, then it’s best to do it in batches.
- Air fryers can vary from model to model, so you may have to adjust cooking times. The center of the cauliflower should be fork tender and golden brown and crispy on the edges.
