Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks (with Oven Directions)

These crispy air fryer cauliflower steaks are a quick and healthy dish and perfect for when you need to get dinner on the table fast. Made with simple ingredients and seasoned with parmesan cheese and an Italian spice mixture. Perfect for a delicious side or meatless main dish meal.

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable and sure has gotten a lot of attention over the past few years! It seems like you can find just about any food with a cauliflower alternative.

And we’re down for it because it’s an easy way to eat more veggies. If you love cauliflower be sure to try our air fried cauliflower and air fryer broccoli and cauliflower recipes.

Air frying is a great way to cook vegetables. They get nice and crispy and it’s healthier because you can use less oil than other cooking methods.

And the air fryer cooking time is a fraction of what it takes to preheat the oven and bake them. But we’ve included oven directions below if that’s your jam.

Make these cauliflower steaks when you’re in the mood for something a little heartier but healthier. You can serve them as a side with almost any protein like air fryer flank steak or air fried drumsticks. And if you’re craving a meatless meal pair it with a Mediterranean wedge salad for a healthy dinner option.

How to Choose the Best Cauliflower for Slicing

• Even though you can buy cauliflower year round, its peak season is in the fall and cooler months. Look for firm heads with bright white color and tightly-packed florets. Avoid heads with soft areas or brown or yellow spots. 
• You want bright green leaves that are tight to the stem. Stay away from heads with wilted leaves or a dried-out stem – it can be a sign it’s been sitting around for a while.
• Larger sizes are easier to cut into thick slices. Smaller heads tend to crumble or fall apart.
• It’s best if you use it within 5 days of purchasing, and until then you will want to keep it refrigerated.

Air Fryer Cauliflower Steak Ingredients

• Large cauliflower head – see our tips for selecting the best head of cauliflower
• Olive oil – use avocado oil if that’s what you have on hand 
• Seasonings – Italian blend, salt, black pepper
• Grated parmesan cheese – adds a salty, umami flavor
• Spray oil for air fryer basket 
• Optional garnish: fresh chopped parsley and additional parmesan

How to Make Cauliflower Steaks in the Air Fryer 

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. If you are using parchment paper liners, don’t place them in the air fryer until you’re ready to add the cauliflower. 

Rinse the head of cauliflower, pat dry, and remove the leaves. Trim off the bottom stem so you can keep it stable on the cutting board while slicing. 

Cut the head in half, then cut in 1-inch thick slices. If pieces break or fall apart, save those for later.

Use a pastry brush to coat each cauliflower steak with oil, then sprinkle on the seasonings and the parmesan cheese. 

Lightly oil the basket with a brush or an oil mister then place the steaks so they are in a single layer and not overlapping. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket.

Cook for 6 minutes then carefully flip and continue cooking for another 6 minutes, until the steaks are tender and the edges are crispy and golden brown. 

Remove steaks from the air fryer and garnish with parsley and parmesan if using. 

How to Make Oven Baked Cauliflower Steaks 

Follow the same instructions for slicing and seasoning. 

Place the steaks on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees F. Flip the steaks at the halfway mark for even browning on both sides.

Tips for Making Sliced Cauliflower in the Air Fryer

• For best results, use a sharp knife to cut the cauliflower. You want even slices so they cook consistently. 
• A large head of cauliflower will yield about 5 steaks. 
• Be careful when flipping the steaks as they are fragile and might fall apart. A spatula works well for this.
• Once you are finished cooking the larger pieces, you can season the remaining florets the same way and air fry until tender. 

More Seasoning Ideas for Roasted Cauliflower

I love cooking with cauliflower because it can handle a variety of bold flavors. And this recipe is versatile so you can swap out the Italian-parmesan blend we used today for other seasonings. Here are some popular options: 

• Ranch – use a seasoning packet 
• Spicy – add heat with a dash of cayenne or red pepper flakes
• Chipotle – use a chipotle seasoning and whisk it together with a little honey, lime juice and the oil to brush on the cauliflower
• Cajun seasoning – adds bold flavor with a little kick of heat
• Lemon pepper – for a zesty citrus punch with a hint of warmth from the black pepper

Need more help? Check out our favorite air fryer accessories, best oils to use and tips for choosing the right air fryer. This is the air fryer model I’m currently using.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Sliced Cauliflower  

Keep leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350 degrees F or until heated through.

Air fried cauliflower steaks are perfect for busy moms (like us) who want delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. This flavorful, low carb cauliflower recipe is bound to become a regular in your meal rotation.