Tandoori Gobi or Cauliflower Tikka is a delicious, popular Indian-style tandoori snack recipe where gobhi (cauliflower) florets are marinated in a spiced yogurt-based marinade and grilled in the air fryer, oven, stove-top pan, or grill. Gluten-free and can be made low carb/keto-friendly.
Cauliflower appetizers are among my absolute favorites, like gobi manchurian, air fryer cauliflower, and more. Today, I am sharing how to make Tandoori Cauliflower (Gobi) in an Air Fryer. You can also cook it in an oven, stove-top grill pan, or BBQ grill.
This cauliflower snack can be referred to as tandoori gobi tikka, gobi tikka, cauliflower bites, or simply tandoori gobi.
If you want more options, try similar recipes like paneer tikka, tandoori broccoli, and tandoori aloo. These delicious appetizers use the same flavorful yogurt marinade and can be cooked using the same methods, making them perfect for your party or get-together.
More Indian Cauliflower Recipes
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What is Tandoori Gobi?
Tandoori Gobi is a popular Indian dish made by marinating cauliflower florets in a mixture of yogurt and spices and then roasting them in a clay oven, also known as a Tandoor, grill, oven, or air fryer.
Tandoori Gobi Ingredients
- Cauliflower: Clean and cut into bite-sized florets.
- Yogurt: Use plain, full-fat hung curd or Greek yogurt for a thick, creamy marinade. Here is the detailed recipe for How to make hung curd at home.
- Gram Flour: also known as besan, is added to help gobi and veggies to coat well and not stick to the air fryer basket/pan. I roast it slightly in a pan on low heat until fragrant and brown, cool, and use. If you don't have besan, use cornstarch or all-purpose flour.
- Ginger and garlic: Mince them finely or use homemade ginger paste and garlic paste.
- Spices: I have used turmeric, Kashmiri red chili powder, cumin powder, garam masala (or tandoori masala), chat masala, and salt.
- Dried fenugreek leaves: Also known as Kasuri methi, give a nice flavor to the dish. If you don't have it, simply skip it.
How to Make Tandoori Gobi / Cauliflower in the Air Fryer
Clean, and cut the whole cauliflower into bite-sized florets (about 20 florets), roughly the same size for even cooking.
In a large bowl, add the following ingredients:
- ½ cup thick or hung curd (or greek yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon besan (gram flour or chickpea flour)
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon kashmiri red chilli powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala (or tandoori masala powder)
- 1 teaspoon kasuri methi
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (or amchur powder)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- salt to taste
Mix everything well.
Then add the cauliflower florets and mix until each piece of the cauliflower is coated well with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Add the marinated cauliflower florets to the air fryer basket and spread them in a single layer (cook in batches if required). Brush or spray some oil on the top. This ensures the cauliflower doesn't dry out.
Air fry them at 360°F (180°C) for 14-18 minutes or until edges start browning and crisp. Shake the basket halfway through. Mine was cooked perfectly in 16 minutes.
Remove to a serving plate, squeeze some lime juice, sprinkle chaat masala, and immediately serve with mint yogurt chutney.
How to Make Cauliflower Tikka in the Oven
Preheat the oven to 380°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the marinated cauliflower evenly in a single layer.
Bake 15-20 minutes, or till the edges turn brown and the cauliflower reaches desired crispiness. Turn halfway through cooking time.
Serving Suggestions
Serve tandoori gobi tikka with
onion slices
lemon wedges
and a glass of mango lassi or masala chai.
Tips to make the Best Tandoori Cauliflower
- Cut them the same size: This helps for quick and even cooking.
- Work in batches. Make sure to spread the marinated cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each other. Cook in batches if needed.
- Shake the basket halfway: It's important to shake it halfway through to allow the tandoori cauliflower tikka bites to be cooked evenly.
- Besan Flour: I highly recommend adding besan (gram flour) to the marinade. This step ensures that the besan helps the cauliflower to coat well and not stick to the air fryer basket/pan.
- Marination: Let the cauliflower florets marinate for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavor. If you have some extra time, then let them sit for longer. That way, they absorb more flavors from the marinade.
Variations
- Other Veggies: You can also add onion and bell peppers to this recipe.
- Don't have Besan: If you don't have gram flour (besan), use corn starch or all-purpose flour instead, or just skip it.
- Vegan: Replace dairy yogurt with a vegan alternative, such as cashew yogurt, almond milk yogurt, or coconut yogurt.
- Keto: If you want to make keto gobi tikka bites, then skip besan (gram flour) in this recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Cauliflower is low in calories and high in fiber and vitamins. Hung curd used for the marinade is also high in protein. Hence, Tandoori Gobhi is a healthy starter or appetizer.
The healthiness of the tandoori gobi also depends on the cooking method. To make it healthy, bake or air fry instead of deep fry.
It is recommended to marinate the Tandoori cauliflower for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour, but 2-3 hours or overnight for more intense flavor.
I prefer not to boil or blanch the cauliflower florets before marinating them because it may result in overcooked cauliflower and may not yield a crispy texture when air-fried.
However, Boiling or blanching the cauliflower florets helps eliminate any insects or worms.
Yes. You can use baby potato, mushroom, broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini, paneer, or tofu, etc. instead of cauliflower.
You can add your choice of protein or vegetables, such as paneer, tofu, potatoes, broccoli, or mushrooms, to it.
Yes, Tandoori Gobi can be made vegan by using plant-based yogurt substitutes such as almond yogurt, cashew yogurt, or coconut yogurt.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Tandoori Gobi
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- ½ cup thick or hung curd (or greek yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon besan (gram flour or chickpea flour)
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon kashmiri red chilli powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala (or tandoori masala powder)
- 1 teaspoon kasuri methi
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (or amchur powder)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- salt to taste
Vegetables
- 1 medium cauliflower (about 20 florets)
Garnish
- lemon wedges to serve
- onion slices to serve
- chaat masala to sprinkle
- green chutney
Instructions
- Clean, cut the whole cauliflower into bite-sized florets, roughly the same size for even cooking.
- In a large bowl add hung curd, besan, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, garam masala, chaat masala, kasuri methi, lemon juice, salt, oil, and mix everything together.Then add the cauliflower florets and mix until each piece of the cauliflower is coated well with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Add the marinated cauliflower florets to the air fryer basket and spread them in a single layer (cook in batches if required). You can brush or spray some oil on top.
- Air fryer them at 360°F (180°C) for 14-18 minutes or until edges start browning and crisp. Shake the basket halfway through. Mine was cooked perfectly in 16 minutes.
- Remove in a serving plate, squeeze some lime juice, sprinkle chaat masala and serve it immediately with mint yogurt chutney.
Oven Method:
- Preheat the oven to 380°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the marinated cauliflower evenly in a single layer.Bake 15-20 minutes, or till the edges turn brown and cauliflower reaches desired crispiness. Turn halfway through cooking time.
Video
Notes
Tips to make the Best Tandoori Cauliflower
- Cut them the same size: This helps for quick and even cooking.
- Work in batches. Make sure to spread the marinated cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each other. Cook in batches if needed.
- Shake the basket halfway: It's important to shake it halfway through to allow the tandoori cauliflower tikka bites to be cooked evenly.
- Besan Flour: I highly recommend adding besan (gram flour) to the marinade, this step ensures that the besan would help the cauliflower to coat well and not stick to the air fryer basket/pan.
- Marination: Let the cauliflower florets marinate for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavor. If you have some extra time, then let them sit for longer that way, they absorb more flavors from the marinade.
Variations
- Other Veggies: You can also add onion and bell peppers to this recipe.
- Don't have Besan: If you don't have gram flour (besan), use corn starch or all-purpose flour instead, or just skip it.
- Vegan: Replace dairy yogurt with a vegan alternative, such as cashew yogurt, almond milk yogurt, or coconut yogurt.
- Keto: If you want to make keto gobi tikka bites, then skip besan (gram flour) in this recipe.
Nutrition
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Amitabh
I made this tonight for my wife and she loved it. I made my own chutney too and it was enough to fill us both up. Thanks for a great recipe!