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    Home » Air Fryer

    Spicy Air Fryer Roasted Cauliflower Steaks

    Published: May 7, 2024 · Modified: Jun 5, 2024 by Louise-Claire Cayzer · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    These spicy and delicious roasted Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks are an easy but elegant main dish. With a spiced up chipotle chili-tomato marinade, they're a great way to serve cauliflower either as a quick dinner, but can also easily be elevated for a special meal such as Mother's Day or Valentine's Day.

    A cauliflower steak on a plate sitting on top whipped butterbeans with green salsa verde on top. this recipe

    These crispy air fryer cauliflower steaks are super easy to make and perfect to serve as a vegan option when entertaining, or just if you're a fan of cauliflower, or want to add some extra veggies to your week!

    I like to serve the cauliflower steaks over some whipped beans or hummus to add dimension and protein to the meal. This Creamy Butter Bean Hummus is what is featured in the images, along with this Lemon, Caper and Parsley Italian Salsa Verde spooned on top. Alternatively you could try this Sun Dried Tomato Hummus, or just serve with your favorite store-bought hummus.

    Jump to:
    • 🥦Ingredients
    • 👩‍🍳Instructions
    • 🌶️Substitutions & Variations
    • 🔪Equipment
    • 🫙Storage
    • Top tip
    • ❓FAQ
    • More Air Fryer Recipes
    • Easy Side Dishes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🥦Ingredients

    You'll just need these simple ingredients to make these roasted cauliflower steaks.

    Ingredients for spicy cauliflower steaks laid out ready to use.
    1. Whole Head of Cauliflower: Look for large cauliflowers with creamy, firm heads. You should be able to make 2 or even 3 steaks per head, depending on the size of cauliflower. Any outer leaves can be used to make Cauliflower Leaf Crisps!
    2. Olive Oil- you just need a little olive oil for cooking
    3. Chipotle Paste (or harissa paste)- this provides heat and spice! Use to your own taste buds.
    4. Semi-dried tomato paste- mixed with the chipotle paste, this gives a sweetness that is perfect with cauliflower.
    5. Garlic Powder (or granules)- perfect for adding a little oomph to the chile marinade.
    6. Fresh Lemon Juice- helps to balance the flavors.
    7. Sea Salt and black pepper to taste

    See recipe card for quantities.

    👩‍🍳Instructions

    Making the cauliflower steaks is super easy! Use any leftover florets cut from the cauliflower to make these Spicy Indian Veggie Burgers: Chickpea & Cauliflower or cauliflower 'wings'.

    Showing where to chop the cauliflower to create the 'steaks'.
    1. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the cauliflower into thick slabs by turning the cauliflower upside down, and cutting through the stem.
    2. Cut two or three steaks. You can use the leftovers for cauliflower wings or burgers.
    The spicy tomato paste for seasoning the cauliflower, showing the consistency.

    3. In a small bowl, mix up the chipotle paste, semi-dried tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic powder and olive oil so you get a spreadable marinade.

    Cauliflower steaks in the air fryer with the spicy tomato coating.

    4. Spread the chili-tomato marinade all over both sides of the cauliflower and spritz with a little extra olive oil. Place in a single layer in the bottom of the air fryer basket.

    Cauliflower steaks in the air fryer after they have done cooking.

    5. Air fry the cauliflower at 180C/356 F for 8-10 minutes or until it is golden brown has crispy edges and is tender in the middle.

    Serve on a bed of some hummus or whipped beans with salsa or pesto to spoon over the top, or with some mashed potatoes and fresh herbs or a delicious dipping sauce .

    Hint: If you wish to make more than 2 steaks at a time, you can line a baking sheet with parchment and bake in the oven at 220C/430F for 15-20 minutes.

    🌶️Substitutions & Variations

    There are plenty of ways you can switch up this meal to suit your tastes. Here are some ideas:

    • Plain - mix up a little olive oil ,lemon juice, garlic powder and salt and roast the cauliflower steaks. Great if you have a super flavorful bean stew to serve it with.
    • Cheesy- Mix nutritional yeast, a little dijon mustard and olive oil with some garlic powder and spread over to replace the chili-tomato marinade.
    • Indian Spiced- make a spice mixture with some turmeric powder, garam masala, lemon juice, olive oil and a little salt. Spread all over the cauliflower before air-frying.

    🔪Equipment

    You'll need a large chef's knife to cut through the cauliflower and a cutting board, as well as an air fryer or oven and a baking sheet.

    🫙Storage

    Store any leftover cauliflower steaks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. This recipe can be frozen, however the texture of the cauliflower might change.

    Top tip

    Be careful when cutting the cauliflower. Make sure to turn it upside down so you can see that you are cutting through the stem part. The steaks should be quite chunky- about 2cm or 1" thick.

    ❓FAQ

    How do you cut cauliflower into steaks without crumbling?

    Cut the bottom stem off the cauliflower, then turn it over so the stem side is facing up. Carefully cut the cauliflower through the stem into slices.

    Do you need to boil or steam cauliflower before making into steaks?

    You should not need to boil or steam a cauliflower before roasting as steak as it might result in soggy cauliflower that will not cut well or will fall apart while being baked or air fried.

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    Love cooking in your air fryer? Try these vegan air fryer recipes:

    • A plate of panko crusted green beans, ready to eat.
      Crispy Air Fryer Green Bean Fries
    • A bowl of crunchy eggplant fries in a bowl with some spicy mayo ready to eat.
      Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Chips
    • Beyond Burgers in the Air Fryer (Frozen or Fresh)
    • Chestnuts roasted in the air fryer ready to eat.
      Air Fryer Roasted Chestnuts

    Easy Side Dishes

    Here are some other easy side dishes to try:

    • A plate of white bean salad with peppers and olives with some smaller plates and extra dressing in a pot in the background.
      Easy Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Olives
    • A plate of lentil salad with spiced roasted carrots ready to eat.
      Spiced Roasted Carrot and Lentil Salad
    • A plate of salad with grilled nectarines, arugula (rocket salad), raspberries and pistachio nuts.
      Grilled Nectarine (or Peach) Arugula Salad
    • Burnt Broccoli ready to eat in a bowl.
      Easy Charred Broccoli with Lemon and Garlic (Burnt Broccoli)

    If you love this recipe, please share this post with your friends on Pinterest or Facebook, or tag me on Insta! Don't forget to also please comment and star ⭐this recipe too!

    Love & Vegan Yummies, Louise xx (P.S. Follow me on Insta and Tik Tok!)

    📖 Recipe

    A cauliflower steak on a plate sitting on top whipped butterbeans with green salsa verde on top.

    Spicy Air Fryer Roasted Cauliflower Steaks

    Louise-Claire Cayzer
    These spicy Air Fryer Roasted Cauliflower Steaks are great as a mid-week dinner, but can also be elevated to fancy restaurant style dining!
    5 from 1 vote
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Total Time 22 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Vegan
    Servings 2 people
    Calories 140 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Air fryer

    Ingredients Note:

    For accuracy, I measure all ingredients in metric as standard, then convert and test the recipe for American cup measurements etc.

    (Heads up Aussie and UK readers- your measurements in cups are sometimes different, so please use metric or check you have the correct cup and spoon type!!)

    Ingredients

    • 1 cauliflower (whole)
    • 2 tablespoon semi-dried tomato paste
    • 1 teaspoon chipotle paste ( or harissa)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • After cleaning the cauliflower, chop the stem off and flip it over so the stem side is up
    • Carefully cut down through the stem, to create 2 or three 'steaks' (they should look like trees!).
      1 cauliflower
    • Mix up the semi-dried tomato paste, chipotle paste, garlic powder, lemon juice and olive oil and brush over the 'steaks' on both sides.
      2 tablespoon semi-dried tomato paste, 1 teaspoon chipotle paste, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste
    • Set your Air Fryer to 180℃/356℉.
    • Spritz the cauliflower steaks with a little extra oil, and pop into the base of the air fryer basket in a single layer.
    • Air fry for 8-10 minutes or until crispy.
    • Serve hot with hummus or whipped white beans and a herby sauce, or just your favourite dipping sauce.

    Video

    Notes

    If you wish to make more than 2 steaks at a time, you can line a baking sheet with parchment and bake in the oven at 220C/430F for 15-20 minutes.
    There are plenty of ways you can switch up this meal to suit your tastes. Here are some ideas:
    • Plain - mix up a little olive oil ,lemon juice, garlic powder and salt and roast the cauliflower steaks. Great if you have a super flavorful bean stew to serve it with.
    • Cheesy- Mix nutritional yeast, a little dijon mustard and olive oil with some garlic powder and spread over to replace the chili-tomato marinade.
    • Indian Spiced- make a spice mixture with some turmeric powder, garam masala, lemon juice, olive oil and a little salt. Spread all over the cauliflower before air-frying.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 6gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 87mgPotassium: 885mgFiber: 6gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 0.5IUVitamin C: 141mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe and loved it? Follow and Mention @vegan_larder or comment and ⭐ below

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 1 vote

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    1. Cindy says

      May 16, 2024 at 3:46 pm

      5 stars
      These cauliflower steaks are so easy and flavorful! Simple and delicious!

      Reply

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    Hi! I'm Louise-Claire! I believe vegan and plant-based food should be easy to make, never scary and above all, absolutely delicious. Also, it's for everyone, not just for vegans!

    I'm a photographer, recipe developer and gardener. You'll find me in the kitchen, in the studio or wandering the garden, picking delicious veggies to make recipes for you! So why not stay a while, check out some of my recipes and try one or two for yourself...Find out more on my About Me page.

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