These easy cheesy cauliflower steaks are grilled in the air fryer with spices for an easy but delicious veg-packed dinner.
What are cauliflower steaks?
Cauliflower steaks are just large slices of cauliflower that are marinated and grilled or roasted in an oven, BBQ or air fryer.
You cut the 'steaks' from the fattest part of the cauliflower from the top of the head, down through the stalk.
Depending on the size of your cauliflower, you can usually get between 4 and 6 slices or 'steaks' out of one cauliflower head.
The cauliflower I used this time was quite small, so I got 4 slices out of it.
Do you use the whole cauliflower?
What to do with leftover cauliflower?
Here are a few ideas of what to do with leftover cauliflower.
- Any leftover pieces of cauliflower can be marinated and cooked the same way as they 'steaks' even though they are smaller pieces. Use them for tacos or wraps.
- Leftover florets, leaves or stalk can be chopped and make into soup. Just saute some onion and garlic, then add the cauli, some red lentils, cumin and turmeric and vegetable stock.
- Any leftover veg can also be kept in a bag in your freezer to make a homemade vegetable stock from scraps.
Marinating cauliflower steaks
It's important to marinade before grilling cauliflower steaks.
This step adds so much flavour, so it's really worth doing.
The marinade is really quick to make as it's just a combination of a few spices and some oil.
A pastry brush is perfect for applying the marinade and brushing it into all the nooks and crannies.
There's no need to soak it in the marinade, just brush it on both sides of the cauliflower slices and it's ready to cook.
Do you have to precook cauliflower when making cauliflower steaks?
There's no need to parboil or roast the cauliflower before cooking these vegetable steaks.
They will cook fairly quickly in an air fryer or oven from raw.
Gotta use that air fryer!
I've probably bored you, telling you how much I love my air fryer, but I really do.
I cook everything I can in it. I cook and bake in it.
They are just so versatile and convenient.
Not to mention using less power, so much cheaper than putting the oven on.
I couldn't manage without it.
My air fryer is a Tower 5-in-1 Air Fryer, the type with shelves and a glass door, so you can keep an eye on what you are cooking.#
I just give it a wipe down and throw the mesh shelves in the dishwasher.
Also, check out air fryer roasted tomato sauce and 31 Easy Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes.
Don't have an air fryer, cook them in the oven
Of course, if you don't have an air fryer, you could cook these cauliflower steaks on a baking tray in the oven.
They may take a little longer, so just keep an eye on them and use a fork to check if they are cooked through.
In the summer, you could also grill these and turn them into tasty BBQ cauliflower steaks.
Hit that heart!
What you need to make cheesy cauliflower steaks
Here are the simple ingredients you need to make these air fryer cauliflower steaks.
- A head of cauliflower
- Olive oil
- Paprika
- Chilli Pepper
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Garlic powder
- Salt & Pepper
- Cheese
Variations
How to serve cauliflower cheese steaks
Here are a few ideas for serving these cauliflower cheese slices.
- Sunday Roast - with roast potatoes and extra veg I don't add a sauce or gravy but if you wanted you could make an onion gravy or a cheese sauce to serve with this.
- Weeknight - with potato wedges and corn on the cob.
- Pitta - in pitta bread with salad.
- Tacos - in warm tacos with shredded iceberg lettuce, salsa and guacamole.
- Burger - served on a burger in a bun (I know right, that sounds really good!).
Storing leftover roasted cauliflower steaks
Leftover cheesy cauliflower can be stored in the fridge for a couple of days
To reheat, cover in foil before heating in the air fryer or oven, so it doesn't brown further but does heat through.
More easy vegan cauliflower recipes
Here are a few more delicious vegan cauliflower recipes, you may like to try next.
- Cauliflower Steaks with Red Pepper Sauce
- Cheesy Cauliflower & Potato Bake with Spinach
- Creamy Cauliflower Macaroni Cheese
- Creamy Roast Cauliflower & Chickpea Pasta
- Easy Cauliflower Soup with White Beans
- Hearty Spiced Cauliflower & Carrot Soup
- Home Style Potato & Cauliflower Curry
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How to cook Air Fryer Cheesy Cauliflower Steaks with Spices
Scroll down for step-by-step photos followed by a full printable recipe.
Step 1
- The first step is to make the marinade.
- Add all your spices and seasoning to a bowl and mix.
- Then add the oil and mix well.
- Voila, your marinade is ready.
- Once your marinade is ready, you can wash your cauliflower and cut it into steaks. Patting it dry carefully with kitchen paper.
- Now use a pastry brush to brush the marinade onto each side of the cauliflower steak.
- Place on your air fryer shelf (or in the drawer) if you are using an air fryer or on a baking tray if you are using the oven.
- There is no need to pre-heat the air fryer as it heats quickly, but you would have to pre-heat the oven if you are using that.
Step 3
- Cook the cauliflower steaks on both sides until tender. They should be browned and crisp at the edges. (full timings and method in the recipe card below).
- Once the cauliflower is cooked, top each slice with grated cheese and pop in to allow the cheese to melt.
- Serve and enjoy!
Air Fryer Cheesy Cauliflower Steaks with Spices
Ingredients
- 1 (head of) cauliflower
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch salt & pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons grated cheese (I used a mix of vegan cheddar and mozzarella, you can use more if you have more slices
Instructions
- The first step is to make the marinade.
- Add all your spices and seasoning to a bowl and mix. Then add the oil and mix well. Voila, your marinade is ready.
- Once your marinade is ready, you can wash your cauliflower and cut it into steaks. Patting it dry carefully with kitchen paper.
- Now use a pastry brush to brush the marinade onto each side of the cauliflower steak.
- Place on your air fryer shelf (or in the drawer) if you are using an air fryer or on a baking tray if you are using the oven.
- There is no need to preheat the air fryer as it heats quickly, but you would have to pre-heat the oven if you are using that.
- Cook at 180c/350f for 10 minutes on one side, then flip carefully and cook for 8 minutes on the other side (this could vary according to the size of your slices and how thick they are, so just keep an eye on them.) They should be tender, but crisp and golden at the edges.
- Once the cauliflower is cooked, top each slice with grated cheese and pop back in for 2-3 minutes (more if it needs it, depending on the cheese) to allow the cheese to melt.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook in an oven, but it may take longer.
- Marinade and cook any excess cauliflower and use in tacos or wraps.
- Leftover cheesy cauliflower can be stored in the fridge for a couple of days
- To reheat, cover in foil before heating in the air fryer or oven, so it doesn't brown further but does heat through.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
299.96Fat (grams)
21.9 gSat. Fat (grams)
6.25 gCarbs (grams)
17.95 gFiber (grams)
6.93 gNet carbs
11.02 gSugar (grams)
6.04 gProtein (grams)
12.8 gSodium (milligrams)
303.05 mgCholesterol (grams)
23.36 mg
These are absolutely perfect! Another reason to love cauliflower AND my air fryer. So easy. So good. Will make again! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you enjoyed it and yes it's definitely a keeper.
DeleteI am so excited to try this in my air fryer. And ...... I have a cauliflower in the fridge. Jill x
ReplyDeleteWhoop whoop! It's meant to be. Enjoy it Jill.
DeleteThese air fryer steaks look delicious and I know that my family will love them! Thanks for this great recipe!
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome. I hope you enjoy them.
DeleteThese cauliflower steaks turned out perfectly in the air fryer! Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and the cheese put them over the top!
ReplyDeleteOh I am so glad you enjoyed them. They are rather gorgeous 😍
DeleteYou always make the best recipes Jaq and so easy too. Life saver. S x
ReplyDeleteAwww thanks S. That is so kind of you.
DeleteSuper easy recipe with super delicious results! These cheesy cauliflower steaks are just amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteI am really pleased you enjoyed them. They are a real favourite here.
DeleteThis was such a great way to use the air fryer and a nice new way to cook with cauliflower too.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I use the air fryer so much.
DeleteLoved these! The marinade gave the cauliflower such excellent flavor!
ReplyDeleteOh you are so right Sue. It gives them a wonderful flavour.
DeleteThese sound really good! Anything cheesy, please! :)
ReplyDeleteHaha yes I am with you there.
DeleteHad these with a roast tonight and they were ace. Had to let you know
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased you enjoyed them and such a good idea to serve them with a roast.
DeleteI made this last night to accompany vegan curry veg and its amazing. I cooked in air fryer exactly as you said. Thanks a million for this quick tasty recipe as a vegetarian its a bit of a challenge finding quick easy dishes. Thank you .
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased you enjoyed it. I think it was you who shared the photo of the curry and cauliflower steaks on Facebook. If so it looked lush.
DeleteWe had these tonight with roast potato, sweet potato, carrots and green beans, which balanced the spiciness of the cauliflower steaks perfectly. This will be a regular meal for us. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like the perfect meal. I'm so glad you enjoyed it
Delete