Air Fryer Harissa-Spiced Cauliflower Steaks

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-07 · Updated 2026-08-07

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Thick-cut cauliflower steaks coated in a smoky harissa spice blend and air-fried until tender with crispy edges — a flavorful vegan main or side. This Middle Eastern-inspired vegan recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs large cauliflower head, harissa paste, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 140 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Middle Eastern cuisine 140 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 large cauliflower head
2 tbsp harissa paste
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp ground cumin
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
for serving lemon wedges

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Instructions

Step 1: Remove the leaves and trim the stem of 1 large cauliflower head. Slice it into 3/4-inch thick 'steaks' carefully so they hold together.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp harissa paste, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper into a smooth marinade.
Step 3: Brush both sides of each cauliflower steak generously with the harissa marinade, allowing some to drip into the crevices.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Place the cauliflower steaks in a single layer inside the basket and air fry for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until edges are golden and the center is tender.
Step 5: Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges to squeeze over for brightness.