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    Home » Vegan Lebanese Recipes

    Lebanese Cauliflower Tahini (Air Fried Arnabeet Mekle)

    Published: Sep 14, 2021 · Modified: Feb 12, 2023 by Janelle Hama

    Jump to Recipe

    Lebanese cauliflower tahini (arnabeet mekle) is mildly sweet, salty and sour. The cauliflower is air-fried until crispy golden brown and served with a side of lemon tahini sauce known as tarator. 

    air fried cauliflower with tahini sauce and a hand squeezing lemon on top

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    Jump to:
    • What is Lebanese Air Fried Cauliflower With Tahini?
    • 😋Why you’ll love this recipe
    • ✔️Ingredients You’ll Need
    • 🔪How to Make Lebanese Air Fried Cauliflower with Tahini
    • ✔️Variations
    • 💭Pro Tips
    • 💡What to serve with?
    • 🥘Related recipes
    • Lebanese Cauliflower Tahini (Air Fried Arnabeet Mekle)

    What is Lebanese Air Fried Cauliflower With Tahini?

    Traditionally this Lebanese cauliflower tahini recipe, known as arnabeet (or karnabeet) mekle, is fried and not air-fried or oven-roasted.

    This recipe is made of air-fried cauli florets covered in a lemon tahini dressing.

    Arnabeet mekle is normally served as a side or as part of a mezze. It is also commonly paired up with homemade fries and made into the tastiest sandwich.

    As a kid, Mum would make us a roll of arnabeet mekle and fries with tarator wrapped up in Lebanese bread, it was so delicious. I now make it for my own kids and hubby.

    The flavors are amazing, there’s sweetness from the air fried cauli which is then countered by salt, sourness from the lemon and nuttiness from the tahini sauce.

    The Arabic word “arnabeet” translates to "cauliflower" in English and “mekle” to "fried" in English. 

    arnabeet mekle tomato, lemon and tahini sauce on the side

    😋Why you’ll love this recipe

    • Ridiculously delicious for the little ingredients
    • Very easy to make
    • Gluten free and vegan 
    • Can be enjoyed as a side, part of mezze or in a sandwich

    ✔️Ingredients You’ll Need

    a head of cauliflower, separate white bowls of salt and oil
    one lmeon and two separate white bowls of tahini and salt

    Notes on some of the ingredients, the full list of ingredients and their measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

    Cauliflower - it's best to use fresh and good quality cauli that has no blemishes. Select one that is at least medium-large in size which will be cut into florets.

    Oil use a good frying oil such as avocado oil

    Tahini is a paste made of only sesame seeds. I like to use this brand (affiliate link), or you can find it at your local Middle Eastern grocer.

    Lemon should be freshly squeezed.

    🔪How to Make Lebanese Air Fried Cauliflower with Tahini

    Preparing tarator sauce (basic Lebanese tahini sauce);

    Step 1 - Place tahini, lemon juice, salt, and water in a bowl and whisk together until all combined and a thick sauce is achieved. Set aside.

    Making the arnabeet;

    Step 2 - Divide the cauliflower into florets. The stem and leaves can also be chopped up into large bite-sized pieces.

    Step 3 - In a mixing bowl, add oil and salt to the florets and thoroughly mix together ensuring every floret is covered in oil.

    Step 4 - Place florets into the air fryer tray and air fry on high for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Ensure the florets are turned every five minutes.

    Step 5 - Serve with the tarator sauce either on the side or drizzled on top along with extra pieces of lemon to squeeze on top. Optional - garnish with finely chopped parsley and a pinch of paprika. Serve immediately.

    air fryer cauliflower with a side plate of chips

    ✔️Variations

    Traditionally arnabeet is deep-fried. This will result in the crispiest cauli florets and even browning.

    Oven-roasted is also an option. Roast in a sheet tray at 220C (425F) until golden brown. Turn midway. 

    Crushed Garlic can be added to the tarator if desired. Do this to taste.

    Finely chopped parsley can be added to the tarator if desired. Just a small spoonful.

    lebanese cauliflower with tahini in a coconut bowl

    I personally like to eat mine in a bowl where I have shredded lettuce underneath.

    💭Pro Tips

    After washing cauliflower, be sure it is completely dry before frying.

    The stem and leaves can also be air fried. They are equally delicious.

    Fried cauliflower will reduce to approximately half its size. Generally, a medium-large cauliflower yields 4-6 servings.

    It is best to serve Lebanese cauliflower tahini immediately as the cauliflower will soften quickly and lose its crispness. Even though it does turn soft it still does taste fabulous.

    If making a large batch, turn your oven to warming mode and place the ready air-fried cauliflower florets in the oven whilst waiting to finish all batches. Though note the above point.

    Tarator is a versatile sauce that can be used on falafel, in buddha bowls and more.

    If drizzling the air-fried cauliflower with the tarator do it just before you serve. Otherwise, serve it on the side with extra lemon pieces.

    A garnish of parsley and a pinch of paprika adds aesthetics and should be used as a garnish i.e., use parsley sparingly as it can be strong in flavor if a lot is used.

    Air Fryer’s differ in makes & models and have different settings, I recommend keeping an eye out on the cauliflower when you first make this recipe. This is a similar air fryer (affiliate link) to what I am using.

    arnabeet mekle on lebanese bread with chips, tomato, tahini sauce and lemon being squeeze on it
    lebanese cauliflower in a wrap

    💡What to serve with?

    Arnabeet mekle can be enjoyed as part of a mezze with other small dishes such as fries, braised green beans known as loubieh bi zeit, falafel, balela salad, tabouli and so much more. 

    As mentioned previously we sometimes like to enjoy it in a sandwich with fries and a side of salad such as fattoush salad.

    Otherwise, check out this list of vegan roasts you could make this arnabeet a side to.

    small fried califlower in a blue plate with a drizzle of tahini sauce

    🥘Related recipes

    If you're into tahini, try my versatile miso tahini dressing.

    Another delicious vegetable side is roasted artichoke.

    • air fried french fries in a bowl
      Air Fried French Fries
    • an air fried zucchini chip being dipped in sauce
      Air Fryer Zucchini Chips (Easy Vegan Snack)
    • Air fryer corn ribs dipped in mayonnaise
      Easy Air Fryer Corn (Corn Ribs)
    • a stack of polenta sticks in a blue plate
      Polenta Frita (Air Fried+GF)

    Did you make this? I'd love to know! Leave me a comment below with a ★★★★★ rating or tag @plantbasedfolk on social media.

    air fried cauliflower with tahini sauce and a hand squeezing lemon on top

    Lebanese Cauliflower Tahini (Air Fried Arnabeet Mekle)

    Lebanese cauliflower tahini is mildly sweet, salty and sour. The cauliflower is air fried until crispy golden brown and served with a side of lemon tahini sauce known as tarator. 
    Print Pin Rate Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Course: lunch, mezze, sides
    Cuisine: Lebanese
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Author: Janelle Hama

    Ingredients

    Lebanese Cauliflower

    • 1 medium Cauliflower head
    • 2 tablespoons Oil any frying oil. You may need a little more or less depending on the size of your cauliflower head.
    • ¼ teaspoon Salt add salt at the end if desired to taste

    Taratoor (Tahini Dressing)

    • 1 small Lemon juiced
    • 5 tablespoons Tahini
    • 1 pinch Salt or to taste
    • 5 tablespoons Water
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Prepare Tarator (Tahini Dressing)

    • Place tahini, lemon juice, salt, and water in a bowl and whisk together until all combined and a thick sauce is achieved. Set aside.
      1 small Lemon, 5 tablespoons Tahini, 1 pinch Salt, 5 tablespoons Water

    Lebanese Cauliflower

    • Divide the cauliflower into florets. The stem and leaves can also be chopped up into large bite sized pieces.
    • In a mixing bowl, add oil and salt to the florets and thoroughly mix together ensuring every floret is covered in oil.
      1 medium Cauliflower head, 2 tablespoons Oil
    • Place the florets into the air fryer tray and air fry on high for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Ensure the florets are turned every five minutes.
    • Serve with the tarator sauce either on the side or drizzled on top along with extra pieces of lemon. Optional garnish with finely chopped parsley and a pinch of paprika. Serve immediately.
      ¼ teaspoon Salt

    Video


    Notes

    After washing cauliflower, be sure it is completely dry before frying.
    The cauliflower stem and leaves can also be air fried. They are equally delicious.
    Fried cauliflower will reduce to approximately half its size. Generally, a medium-large cauliflower yields 4-6 servings.
    It is best to serve Lebanese cauliflower tahini immediately as the cauliflower will soften quickly and lose its crispness. Even though it does turn soft it still does taste fabulous.
    If making a large batch, turn your oven to warming mode and place the ready air-fried cauliflower florets in the oven whilst waiting to finish all batches. Though note the above point.
    Tarator is a versatile sauce that can be used on falafel, in buddha bowls and more.
    If drizzling the air fried cauliflower with the tarator do it just before you serve. Otherwise, serve it on the side with extra lemon pieces.
     
    What to serve with Lebanese cauliflower? 
    Arnabeet can be enjoyed as part of a mezze with other small dishes such as fries, braised green beans, falafel, chickpea salad, tabouli and so much more. 

    Equipment

    air fryer

    Nutrition

    Calories: 433kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 412mg | Potassium: 1106mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 37IU | Vitamin C: 169mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 3mg

    N.B., nutrition info is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. This will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.


    Tried this recipe?Mention @Plantbasedfolk or tag #plantbasedfolk

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Aileen

      January 13, 2022 at 6:30 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you! I’ve favorited this recipe.

      Reply

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