Boring cauliflower? Nope, not this recipe – my easy roasted cauliflower recipe is the perfect base to add other flavors to or have just as is. The florets have crispy, golden edges packed with flavor and caramelized colors.
Why You’ll Love This Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
- Rich flavor: Cauliflower can be somewhat bland and roasting it causes caramelization and a rich flavor.
- Versatility: Serve it as a standalone side dish, add it to salads, pasta dishes, grain bowls, or even use it as a pizza topping or wraps and sandwiches.
- Easy to make: Making roasted cauliflower is honestly one of the simplest dishes. You don’t need to be a whizz in the kitchen to get golden delicious roasted cauliflower florets.
- Health benefits: Cauliflower contains nutrients, including vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants. Roasting retains more nutrients than boiling, making it a healthier cooking method.
- Texture: Roasting cauliflower creates some serious crunch! It gives you crispy on the outside cauliflower while remaining tender and slightly creamy on the inside.
- Easy to customize: You can tailor the flavors – check out my list of add-in ideas below.
- Good looking: Roasted cauliflower has pretty caramelized edges that just look so good.
- Crowd pleaser: Even those who aren’t typically fans of vegetables will enjoy roasted cauliflower thanks to the crunch and roasted golden goodness.
- Dietary needs: It’s naturally gluten-free, low in carbohydrates, and can be adapted to suit various dietary preferences or restrictions, like vegan, vegetarian, keto, or paleo diets.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cauliflower: Cutting the cauliflower into small, uniform florets helps with even cooking and caramelization during roasting.
- Olive oil: This helps evenly coat the cauliflower florets, aiding the roasting process and adding a rich, slightly fruity flavor.
- Garlic powder: This gives the cauliflower the most wonderful savory taste, providing depth of flavor without it being too strong. It’s the key seasoning in this recipe.
- Paprika powder: This contributes a beautiful color to the cauliflower but also provides a subtle smoky flavor and a mild level of heat. You can dial the amount up or down, depending on the level of spiciness you want.
- Salt and pepper: Season to taste!
How To Make this Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Step 1: Firstly, preheat the oven to 425˚F. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Prepare the cauliflower. Cut the cauliflower into small florets. Place the cauliflower in the center of the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with oil.
Step 3: Prepare the seasoning. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, salt, paprika powder, and pepper for seasoning. Sprinkle the mixture over the cauliflower.
Step 4: Roast the cauliflower. Spread cauliflower evenly on the baking sheet and bake at 425˚F for 15 minutes, or until cauliflower has reached the desired crispiness.
Recipe Tips
This is a super simple recipe that you can’t really mess up. Here are some easy tips to get the best out of your recipe.
- Even coating: Toss the cauliflower florets thoroughly in the olive oil and spices to ensure each piece is evenly coated before roasting.
- Preheating the oven: Ensure your oven is adequately preheated to a high temperature, usually around 425-450°F (220-230°C) for optimal roasting.
- Single layer on baking sheet: Spread the cauliflower florets out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of roasting-the result is soggy rather than crisp.
Flavor Variations and Add-ins
Here are a couple of flavor ideas for your golden florets:
- Cumin and coriander: Sprinkle a blend of ground cumin and coriander generously before roasting.
- Smoked paprika: Combine it with a bit of garlic powder, salt, and olive oil.
- Turmeric and curry powder: I love this mix!
- Za’atar seasoning: This is a blend of dried herbs like thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and salt.
- Harissa paste: Toss the cauliflower in a mixture of harissa paste, olive oil, and a touch of lemon juice before roasting.
- Sesame-ginger glaze: Mix sesame oil, soy sauce, grated ginger, and some honey for an Asian-inspired glaze. Coat the cauliflower before roasting and garnish with sesame seeds after cooking.
- Lemon pepper: Drizzle the cauliflower with olive oil and sprinkle generously with lemon pepper seasoning before roasting.
- Chili-lime: Mix freshlychopped chili and lime zest into the mixture.
FAQ
Aim for uniform-sized florets to ensure even cooking. Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces, around 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
Yes, you can cut the cauliflower into florets and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days before roasting. You can also mix the cauliflower with the seasonings ahead of time and roast it when ready to serve.
Make sure the cauliflower is thoroughly dried after washing to prevent excess moisture. Also, avoid overcrowding the baking sheet to allow proper airflow, which helps achieve crispy edges.
If you love this recipe, try my air fryer green beans or this recipe for simple air fryer broccoli.
Easy Roasted Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower, sliced in small florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil*
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika powder*
- 1/2 tsp salt and pepper*
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the cauliflower into small florets.
- Place the cauliflower in the center of the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with oil.
- In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, salt, paprika powder and pepper for seasoning. Sprinkle the mixture over the cauliflower.
- Spread cauliflower evenly on the baking sheet and bake at 425˚F for 15 minutes or until cauliflower has reached the desired crispiness.