Cauliflower steak air fryer and baked in the oven directions are here! Try this low carb healthy vegetable side dish in your Ninja Foodi, Cosori or roasted works great. Season and cook in oven on a sheet pan too if you prefer.
If you love vegetables and vegetarian air fryer recipes this cauliflower steaks air fryer recipe will be up your alley. With a little olive oil and your favorite seasonings you too can make this easy side dish for dinner too. Just one of many easy air fryer recipes we have shared on The Typical Mom blog lately. (affiliate links present)
Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks
We have an AirWave, Cosori and you can make these as Ninja Foodi cauliflower steaks too. You just need one of these nifty hot air machines with a basket to get it tender yet crispy on the edges. BUT even if you don’t have one I’ve included oven directions below too.
Yes we have made air fryer cauliflower before, but those were florets and not slices like you see here. The same basic taste of course but these look prettier and get a different texture because they’re thinner. You really can’t go wrong with any of our air fryer vegetable recipes I tell you, the best way to cook them by far.
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If you love extra crispy food and quick recipes, here are some resources to start with:
- My Favorite models are this Cosori or for a dual machine, the Foodi.
- You can find more Ninja Foodi recipes here as well; bookmark them both!
- It is best practice to put food into a hot basket. this is how to preheat air fryer first.
- Here’s a printable free air fryer cooking time chart here for your fridge.
Ninja Foodi Cauliflower Steaks
Use whatever seasonings you would normally add if you just were cooking florets. If you want to make these chimichurri <—–I’d use this olive oil blend and brush it on each piece before (and maybe after too) cooking.
How to Cut Cauliflower Steaks
This isn’t rocket science folks. Yes it is going to kinda’ crumble, that is okay. First off use a sharp knife, that will help you get a nice smooth slice. The thicker they are the longer it will take to get tender in the middle. Longer it takes the crispier it gets on the edges, but I like that personally.
Figure you’ll get about 6 pieces per head of cauliflower. I could eat two as an entire meal myself honestly if I wanted a vegetarian dinner idea. I do that every now and then. Whether you make these oven baked or as an easy Ninja foodi recipe it turns out great.
Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
Below there’s a mixture of EIGHT seasonings that you likely already have in your cupboard. This mixture makes for a salty and bold blend and is easy to just sprinkle it on to your delight after a bit of olive oil so it will all stick nicely. You want to keep these nice and moist so the middles are nice and fork tender when done.
Ingredients
- Head of fresh cauliflower, remove green leaves and base. Use sharp knife to slice into pieces
- Olive oil
- Old Bay is the bomb y’all
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Salt and pepper
A baking sheet if using the oven, or just your air fryer basket will be needed to cook. A pastry brush is helpful to brush on the oil.
Literally, it takes the same as if you made it in smaller pieces. This white vegetable is somewhat flavorless other than what you put on it, that is why we kinda’ load it up. Just because they are flat instead of florets doesn’t change the flavor of the veggie overall. I mean that does make sense.
That depends on the thickness and how fork tender you want them to be but about 20 minutes is typically how long you will want to cook them on a sheet pan with some olive oil and seasonings.
You can use any brand of pot you have on hand, they all basically work the same. I have a few different ones at home and use several at the same time if I’m making different things and don’t want to heat up the entire house.
How to Cook Cauliflower Steaks in Air Fryer
- On a cutting board use a very sharp knife to slice each cauliflower head into 1″ flat pieces.
- It will fall apart a bit and that is okay, push them aside and you can cook those later.
- In a small bowl mix together seasonings (except parsley). Sprinkle on all pieces on both sides so it sticks well.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees for 5 minutes.
- Lay as many pieces inside your basket that will fit without overlapping
- Air fry at 375 F for 7 minutes flipping halfway thru. (14 – 15 minutes total) Or until they are as tender as you’d like them to be and browned on the outside. Thick slices will take longer. Cook in batches until done.
Cauliflower Steaks Recipe in the Oven
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- On a cutting board use a very sharp knife to slice each cauliflower head into 1″ flat pieces.
- Lay them a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Lay vegetable steaks on top. Brush olive or avocado oil on both sides of all slices.
- In a small bowl mix together seasonings (except parsley). Sprinkle on all pieces on both sides so it sticks well.
- Bake at 400 for about 20 minutes cook time flipping halfway thru or until tender and browned on the outside.
- Garnish with diced fresh parsley.
- Many like a fresh squeeze of lime on top when served, try it!
How Long to Air Fry Cauliflower Steaks
Timing will vary because of the thickness of each piece for sure, and personal preference. If you want them very tender and/or crispier on the outside then more timing would be needed obviously. I would say in general 15 minutes is about right when we make them.
Other easy cauliflower recipes you’ll love
Want to try something spicier?? We made spicy buffalo air fryer cauliflower wings here too which may just knock your socks off in a good way. Want to bake them? NO problem, follow our baked cauliflower recipe with a yummy sauce on top and let us know what you think!
You can see the deliciousness right here! Jump to recipe below and enjoy with some air fryer frozen chicken breast and/or salmon with dry rub.
Cauliflower Steak Air Fryer
Equipment
- 1 air fryer or sheet pan for oven
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 2 tbsp parsley
- 1 pinch salt and pepper, more at the end to taste
- 1 tsp Old Bay
- 1 lime, juiced
Instructions
- Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks – Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees for 5 minutes. ** Oven ** Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- On a cutting board use a very sharp knife to slice into 1" thick pieces. It will fall apart a bit and that is okay, push smaller pieces aside and you can cook those later to enjoy.
- On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper lay steaks on top. Use a brush to add oil on both sides of all slices.
- In a small bowl mix together all seasonings (except parsley) listed. Sprinkle seasonings on all pieces on both sides so it sticks well.
- ** In air fryer ** Lay as many of your now coated pieces inside your basket that will fit without overlapping. Air fry at 375 F for 7 minutes on each side, so 14 minutes total….or until they are as tender as you'd like them to be and as browned on the outside as you want. Continue cooking in batches.
- Baked Cauliflower Steaks – Leave on baking sheet and bake at 400 F for about 20 minutes flipping halfway thru, or until the same…tender and browned on the outside.
- Garnish with diced fresh parsley and squeeze lime juice on top of each slice. Enjoy.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
