Make this stunning vegan-friendly whole roasted cauliflower with tahini sauce as a fall dish or Thanksgiving centerpiece. Air fryer and oven options!
Who said the turkey has to be the star of the show at Thanksgiving?! Why not a whole roasted cauliflower instead?
Whether you're serving up a turkey this holiday season or are going hard with those veggies, you'll love this baked cauliflower.
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Why this recipe works
The method for this recipe is very similar to my "fried" cauliflower recipe - you make a sauce, coat the cauliflower, and bake. Then you coat the cauliflower in a second layer of sauce and pop it back into the oven for another couple minutes. The result is a super flavorful cauliflower!
This version has a decadent tahini sauce. Tahini and cauliflower pair so well, and with some spices like garlic, thyme, cumin, and cloves, this cauliflower is giving all the fall vibes.
Great for a Thanksgiving dish or just a regular fall dinner.
Why I love this Whole Roasted Cauliflower
- Dietary needs - this whole roasted cauliflower is vegan, oil-free, gluten-free and sugar free.
- Delicious main or side dish - serve this cauliflower as a Thanksgiving main dish or as a vegetable side
- Decadent tahini sauce - no boring veggies here! The quick tahini sauce is SO lovely on cauliflower and is full of fall spices
- Air fryer and oven friendly- I tested this recipe in both the oven and the air fryer, so feel free to use whichever option you prefer.
- Fall dinner - cauliflower with tahini sauce, plus some extra carrots and apples. So many fall staples!
- Made on a sheet pan - all you need is a bowl and baking sheet or rack for your air fryer. So easy!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Cauliflower: trim off the green leaves, but leave the stem intact so the cauliflower remains whole
- Tahini: tahini is a sesame seed paste, like nut butter but with sesame seeds. It has a rich, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the veggies and spices.
- Water
- Apple Cider Vinegar: a bit of acid from vinegar helps brighten up the dish
- Garlic
- Fresh Thyme: I love fresh thyme in fall dishes - it's so tasty and very pretty! You can use ground thyme if you don't have fresh
- Spices: salt, cumin, cloves
- Optional veggies: granny smith apples & carrots. You can totally make the cauliflower on its own, but the apples and carrots really turn the dish into a centerpiece!
How to make Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 450°F or air fryer to 400°F. Line a baking sheet or the inside of your air fryer with aluminum foil.
Step 2. In a small bowl whisk the tahini, water, apple cider vinegar, garlic, thyme, salt, cumin, and cloves.
Step 3. Place the cauliflower on the baking sheet or in the air fryer. Brush half the tahini mixture on the cauliflower. If using the optional extra veggies, toss them with 2 tablespoons of the mixture. Roast for 40 minutes.
Step 4. Remove the cauliflower from the oven or air fryer and carefully brush on the remaining mixture.
Step 5. Place back in the oven or air fryer and roast 10 minutes more.
Step 6. Cut into wedges and sprinkle with additional fresh thyme.
FAQ & Expert Tips
The exact cook time for the air fryer version of this recipe depends on the type of air fryer you own. If you are making this recipe for the first time, check the cauliflower a few times throughout the cooking process to avoid burning.
In this recipe I used a NuWave Brio 14qt. air fryer.
Store any leftovers in an air tight container in the fridge. If desired, you can chop the head of cauliflower into florets for easier storage.
Feel free to sub your favorite vegetables in place of the apples and carrots. Parsnips, leeks, or broccoli would be delicious additions.
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for this healthy fall dish. Thank you for foods that nourish us. Amen.
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📖 Recipe
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce (Air Fryer & Oven)
Equipment
- Air Fryer optional
Ingredients
- 1 Large Head Cauliflower green leaves trimmed
- ¼ Cup Tahini
- 3 Tablespoons Water
- 2 Teaspoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 3 Cloves Garlic minced
- 4 Sprigs Fresh Thyme + more to serve
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Cumin
- Pinch Cloves
Optional Veggies
- 2 Large Granny Smith Apples peeled and sliced
- 2 Large Carrots peeled and sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F or air fryer to 400°F. Line a baking sheet or the inside of your air fryer with aluminum foil.
- In a small bowl whisk the tahini, water, apple cider vinegar, garlic, thyme, salt, cumin, and cloves.
- Place the cauliflower on the baking sheet or in the air fryer. Brush half the tahini mixture on the cauliflower. If using the optional extra veggies, toss them with 2 tablespoons of the mixture. Roast for 40 minutes.
- Remove the cauliflower from the oven or air fryer and carefully brush on the remaining mixture.
- Place back in the oven or air fryer and roast 10 minutes more.
- Cut into wedges and sprinkle with additional fresh thyme.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Tracy
This would be a great dish for thanksgiving for those who want a low carb potato option. But I don’t understand where the 34 grams of carbs comes from when it’s cauliflower.I’m assuming that includes the apples and carrots which I would probably leave out. But it looks delicious and so easy to make.
Elizabeth
Hi Tracy - yes, I did include the apples and carrots in the nutrition calculation. Without those ingredients, this would definitely be a great low carb option. Let me know how it goes if you try it!
Jessica Burali
Sorry, but this recipe did not work at all for me. The tahini dressing crusted up on the outside of the cauliflower and when, as you instructed, I tried to brush the remaining dressing on the cauliflower, the already crusted part started fallingoff. In fact, once the cauliflower was done, it was very dry, and all the tahini dressing just fell off into powdery flakes. I found the dressing very bland. Would never make this again.
Elizabeth
Hi Jessica - I'm so sorry to hear about your experience with this recipe. I've made the recipe several times and never had an issue with flaking like you describe. I am happy to troubleshoot what happened if you'd like. Did you happen to make any changes to the sauce? I'm also wondering if maybe the tahini you used was the bottom of the jar? If tahini wasn't smooth, I could see how it might crack. Let me know. I am happy to help!
Jenny
I should have thought this through. I just followed directions like a zombie. You don’t need to air fry cauliflower for 40 minutes… unless you like blackened cauliflower. Bummed because the sauce was brilliant and it would have been delicious.
Elizabeth
Hi Jenny - so sorry to hear that the cooking time was too long for your air fryer. This is the time that worked for mine. I will adjust the recipe with a few notes on types of air fryers and checking for doneness.
New to WFPB eating
I thought this was delicious. The sauce is amazing and I will have to figure out different ways to use it. I love the taste profile of the sauce ingredients. The added veggies should probably be removed at the 40 minute mark to avoid overcooking them, but the extra layer of sauce at the end seals the deal. Thank you!
Elizabeth
Love to hear that you enjoyed the flavor! The sauce would definitely work on any type of salad, or tossed with any roasted vegetables. Let me know what you try it on!