Air Fryer Cauliflower steak: An Indian style recipe

In recent years, in my opinion, cauliflower has become the king of vegetables because cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups to curries. Cauliflower rice, cauliflower wings, cauliflower steaks, you name it and the humble cauliflower can disguise itself into anything. Indian-style air fryer cauliflower steak has become a recent family favorite of ours. The entire family was tired of eating aloo gobhi (potatoes and cauliflower) or gobhi matar (cauliflower and peas) with chapatis for dinner, so I came up with this idea.  See the Serving section below to see how I like to serve it for dinner so it makes a complete meal for the family.

Ingredients used to make Air Fryer Cauliflower Steak recipe

Ingredients needed for the air fryer cauliflower steak recipe:

• 1 large head of cauliflower
• 3 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp red chili pepper
• 2 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp jeera powder
• ½ tsp haldi powder
• ¼ tsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp ginger paste
• 1 tbsp garlic paste
• Salt
• Lemon wedges (serving)
• Chopped cilantro (serving)

Ingredients needed for the Mint-Cilantro Chutney

• 1 bunch cilantro (large stalks removed)  
• ½ cup mint leaves
• ¼ cup raw peanuts
• 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 Thai green chilis (or according to preference)
• Salt

Step by Step recipe to make Air Fryer Cauliflower steak

Here is how you can make air fryer cauliflower steak:

1. Depending on the size of the cauliflower, make 2-4 pieces of steak from it. 
2. In a bowl mix the rest of the ingredients to make a paste. 
3. Using a silicon brush or even your clean hands, brush the spice paste all over the cauliflower pieces. Turn the pieces to brush on both sides. 
4. Lay the pieces in a single layer in your air fryer basket and depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to do it in batches. 
5. Air fry them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-13 minutes, flipping them halfway in between. 
6. To make the cilantro mint chutney, blend all the ingredients using as little water as possible.
7. To serve, squeeze lemon on top of the steaks and sprinkle some chopped cilantro leaves.
8. Serve cauliflower steaks along with the cilantro mint chutney, with a side of rice or couscous and a simple green salad.  

How to make steaks out of cauliflower

Begin by choosing a large head of cauliflower. Turn the cauliflower upside down and using a knife remove all the obvious inedible leaves. Turn it back up again and cut it right in the center and make another cut to the 2 pieces so you can get a total of 4 one-inch steaks. Sometimes, it is only possible to get 2 good steaks from a smaller cauliflower. Try and cut such that all the pieces have some of the bottom supporting stem. 

Cooking the Cauliflower steaks in the oven and stovetop

The recipe card has instructions for the air fryer method, which is my preferred way of making cauliflower steaks these days, but I will also provide instructions on oven and stove top method of cooking them.  Prepare the cauliflower steaks with the spice marinade and follow these steps. 

Oven: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the prepared cauliflower steaks on a cookie sheet and bake them for 15-17 minutes. Halfway through the cooking process, remove it from the oven and flip it to the other side. 

Stovetop: Cast iron works best to get a good sear on the steaks, but you can use a large non-stick pan also. Heat a cast iron pan with 2 tablespoons of oil. Once heated, add the prepared cauliflower steak pieces to it. Cook for 4-5 minutes and flip to the other side and cook for another 4-5 minutes.  Depending on the size of your cast iron pan, you will have to do this in batches. 

Serving Indian style Air Fryer Cauliflower steak

There are several ways you can serve these up.  You can simply serve it with cilantro mint chutney (recipe provided) with a side of rice and salad. 

I like to have some fun and serve them as Indian-style tacos.  People can cut up the cauliflower pieces and add them to small rotis (thin Indian flat bread) that act like tortillas and top it with cilantro mint chutney and pickled onions.  If you are not in a mood to make rotis, just warm up store-bought tortillas!

To make quick pickled onions- Heat ½ cup water and ½ cup vinegar and bring to a simmer.  Pack a mason jar with thinly sliced red onions.  Add salt to it and carefully pour the hot water/vinegar mixture on the onions.  Let it cool to room temperature and it is ready to serve or you can store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. 

FAQs – Air Fryer Cauliflower Steak Recipe

Other quick and easy Vegan recipes to try

Air Fryer Cauliflower Steak – Recipe Card