Why didn't my cauliflower stay in perfect steaks?

Cauliflower naturally wants to break apart due to its structure. Don't worry if you don't get perfect steaks - even broken pieces will taste amazing with the seasoning and cheese. Just keep the pieces relatively flat and evenly sized for consistent cooking.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Simply substitute the parmesan and mozzarella with your favorite plant-based cheese alternatives. Nutritional yeast in the seasoning mix also adds a nice cheesy flavor without any dairy.

My cauliflower seems undercooked in the middle but is browning too quickly on the outside. What should I do?

If this happens, lower your oven temperature to 375°F and cover the cauliflower loosely with foil to allow the center to cook through without burning the exterior. You can remove the foil for the last few minutes to crisp things up again.

How do I know when the cauliflower steaks are done cooking?

The steaks should be fork-tender in the center but not mushy. They should have beautiful golden-brown caramelization on the edges and a slight resistance (but not crunchiness) when pierced with a fork.

Cheesy Cauliflower Steaks Recipe

Description

A delicious and simple recipe for cheesy cauliflower steaks, perfectly spiced, tender, and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Great as a satisfying main course or a side dish.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Base Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbs parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste

Main Ingredients

1 head cauliflower
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat the oven or air fryer: Set your oven or air fryer to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the seasoning mixture: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, grated parmesan, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to create a smooth seasoning mixture.
Slice the cauliflower: Remove the leaves from the bottom of your cauliflower while keeping the stalk intact. Slice the cauliflower in half, then cut each half into ‘steak’ slices. Aim for even thickness for uniform cooking. Transfer the cauliflower steaks onto the prepared baking sheet.
Season the cauliflower: Brush the cauliflower steaks thoroughly on all sides (top, bottom, and edges) with the seasoning mixture from step 2.
Bake or air fry: Place the seasoned cauliflower steaks in the oven or air fryer. Bake for approximately 20 minutes in an oven or air fry for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking. Ensure the stalks are fork tender and the surface is golden brown.
Top with cheese and melt: Once cooked, remove the cauliflower steaks from the oven or air fryer. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the steaks. Return to the oven or air fryer briefly to allow the cheese to melt.
Serve and garnish: Remove the cheesy cauliflower steaks and serve immediately. Optionally, garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and added flavor.

Notes

For best results, slice the cauliflower evenly to ensure all pieces cook at the same rate.
This dish works well as a low-carb alternative to traditional cheesy bakes or steak.
You can customize the seasonings to suit your taste preferences by adding spices like chili flakes or herbs.
If you don’t have fresh parsley, other herbs such as chives or basil can be used as garnish.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 steak
Calories: 150
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 210mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 15mg