Easy Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (2024)

The BEST oven-roasted cauliflower and it’s so easy. The flavor and texture are perfect with just some simple seasoning, oil, and butter.

Easy Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (1)

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Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

This baked cauliflower recipe is a go-to side dish like Corn on the Cob and Roasted Brussels Sprouts. It’s a dish you’ll make over and over.

This oven-roasted cauliflower is easy and excellent. The combination of butter and olive oil caramelizes the florets and they are baked to crisp-tender perfection. The best thing about this recipe is that you can customize the seasoning with what you have on hand with great results.

The Best Seasoning for Cauliflower

Cauliflower goes well with just about any seasoning. Even a simple salt and pepper seasoning works well. These are the seasonings we love most:

  • Salt – we love fine sea salt
  • Black Pepper – freshly cracked
  • Garlic Powder – or try garlic salt
  • Paprika – adds color and flavor (a little goes a long way)

Can I add cheese? we love to add cheese to cauliflower. Sprinkle cauliflower with 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese in the last 5 minutes of cooking for a parmesan roasted cauliflower.

Easy Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (2)

How to Roast Cauliflower

This roasted cauliflower recipe is so easy to make and uses ingredients you most likely already have on hand

  1. Preheat the oven to 425˚F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
  2. Slice the cauliflower into traditional florets or into flat cauliflower steaks.
  3. Seasoning- Add the cauliflower to the center of your baking sheet, drizzle with oil and butter, and toss to coat. Season the cauliflower and toss again then spread into a single layer.
  4. Bake cauliflower for 15-20 minutes, or until desired tenderness and golden at the edges. The baking time may vary depending on the size of your pieces.
Easy Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (3)

How to Slice Cauliflower into Steaks: Slice the cauliflower head into 4-5 wedges. Then, cut the wedges into even 1/2″ thick steaks and break them apart into bite-sized pieces. As they are roasted, the flat sides caramelize against the baking sheet adding a depth of flavor. It also results in evenly browned pieces.

How Long to Bake Cauliflower?

The bake time for roasted cauliflower will depend on the size, thickness, and desired doneness of your pieces.

  • Smaller pieces – you only need about 15-20 minutes.
  • Larger florets – bake 20-25 minutes. Until the cauliflower is caramelized and golden.
Easy Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (4)

Air Fryer Instructions:

Cooking cauliflower in an air fryer is quick and easy. When air frying, I skip the butter and just use 2-3 Tbsp olive oil. Air fry cauliflower at 375˚ for 10-15 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes, until golden and tender.

Easy Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (5)

Make-Ahead

  • Meal Prep – you can pre-chop your cauliflower a few days ahead, cover and refrigerate then add seasoning before roasting.
  • Refrigerate – once cooled to room temperature, you can cover and refrigerate leftover roasted cauliflower for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating – You can reheat the cauliflower on the stovetop, oven, or air fryer just until heated through.

More Side Dish Recipes

If you loved this roasted cauliflower, be sure to try these fail-proof side dish recipes:

Oven Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

5 from 772 votes

Author: Valentina Ablaev

Easy Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (7)

The most delicious oven-roasted cauliflower recipe that will become your go-to side dish. Cauliflower florets drizzled in oil and butter and seasoned to perfection.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 6 as a side dish

  • 1 medium cauliflower, sliced in small florets, or 1/2" thick steaks
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt, or to taste
  • ¼ tsp ground paprika
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper, or to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  • Slice the head of cauliflower into 1/2" thick steaks, breaking up wedges into even, bite-sized pieces.

  • Add the cauliflower to the center of the baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil and melted butter and toss to combine.

  • In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, salt, paprika, and pepper for the seasoning. Sprinkle onto caulliflower and toss to evenly coat.

  • Spread the cauliflower evenly on the baking sheet and bake at 425˚F for 15-20 minutes, until cauliflower reaches desired crispiness.

Notes

Bake time will slightly vary depending on the size of your florets or slices.
You may substitute oil instead of butter if you don’t want to use any butter.

Nutrition Per Serving

100kcal Calories5g Carbs2g Protein9g Fat3g Saturated Fat1g Trans Fat10mg Cholesterol223mg Sodium294mg Potassium2g Fiber2g Sugar158IU Vitamin A46mg Vitamin C23mg Calcium1mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Oven Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

100

% Daily Value*

Fat

9

g

14

%

Saturated Fat

3

g

19

%

Trans Fat

1

g

Cholesterol

10

mg

3

%

Potassium

294

mg

8

%

Carbohydrates

5

g

2

%

Fiber

2

g

8

%

Sugar

2

g

2

%

Protein

2

g

4

%

Vitamin A

158

IU

3

%

Vitamin C

46

mg

56

%

Calcium

23

mg

2

%

Iron

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked cauliflower, roasted cauliflower

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 100

Valentina Ablaev

Easy Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (8)

I am Valentina, the creator behind the food blog Valentina’s Corner where I share our family’s favorite recipes. When I am not in the kitchen, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and 5 children. We invite you to join us on our blogging journey!

Read more posts by Valentina

Easy Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my roasted cauliflower not crispy? ›

Like all veggies, cauliflower needs some breathing room on the pan. Otherwise, the florets will produce so much steam that they'll never turn crisp on the edges. It's better to use two pans, arranged on separate racks near the middle of the oven, than to cram too much onto one pan.

Do you wash cauliflower before roasting? ›

Caramelization is the key to giving the roasted cauliflower flavor. Give all the florets a thorough rinse in a colander. Shake them dry. Spread the florets out in an even layer on the baking sheet.

Why is my roasted cauliflower tough? ›

Have you roasted cauliflower before and it came out tough or mushy? A common problem is either roasting it at too low a temperature or stopping once the cauliflower is tender—both mean that the florets do not caramelize.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

How to stop roasted veg from going soggy? ›

If the pan is packed too tightly, the vegetables will steam instead of caramelizing. The result is sad, limp, less-than-flavorful vegetables. The solution: Give your vegetables some room to breathe. Arrange the veggies in a single layer, keeping at least a quarter inch of space between them.

How do you get the smell out of roasted cauliflower? ›

To avoid cauliflower smell while cooking, add a few drops of white vinegar - it kills the smell.

Can dogs eat cauliflower? ›

Yes, dogs can eat cauliflower in moderation, either raw or cooked. Cauliflower is a source of dietary fiber, vitamin K, and vitamin C for dogs. Some dogs may dislike the slightly bitter taste of cauliflower. Avoid cauliflower with seasonings or oils, as they can cause upset stomach.

What does baking soda do to cauliflower? ›

Baking soda – I've said it before and I'll most likely say it again…a pinch of this stuff will help break down your cauliflower and make it blend up into a velvety dream. Scallions – Because a little cooked onion (of any kind) makes for a solid base for any savory dish. Also they make for a pretty garnish.

What to pair with cauliflower? ›

Anchovy, beef, blue cheese, buffalo mozzarella, butter, cheddar cheese, chickpeas, curry, farro, feta cheese, gruyère cheese, parmesan cheese, pork, quinoa, rice, saffron, tahini, tofu, turkey, turmeric, yoghurt.

Why is roasted cauliflower mushy? ›

First, take care not to overcrowd your pan; if the cauliflower is packed in rim-to-rim, the moisture will not be able to escape as the florets cook, which will result in soft steamed cauliflower instead of roasted.

How do you prepare cauliflower before cooking? ›

Cut the whole head into quarters first, and then angle the knife to cut out the cores. Note that the cauliflower cores and leaves are perfectly edible; the cauliflower cores are much like broccoli cores. If you want, peel them and slice them for snacks, or chop them and cook them the way you would the florets.

Is cauliflower better steamed or baked? ›

Cauliflower is an excellent blank canvas. You can steam or blanch it to keep its essential flavors intact, but by roasting or sautéing it, you can bring out its sweetness. Cauliflower will absorb the oil and seasoning, soaking up flavors much the way eggplant does, but it remains firmer.

Why are my roasted veggies soggy? ›

As they cook, vegetables give off moisture, and when arranged too close together it results in a soggy outcome. Follow this tip: To achieve beautiful browning and crisp, roasted perfection, vegetables need some breathing room. Arrange vegetables in a single layer and don't overcrowd the pan.

How do you keep cauliflower from getting soggy? ›

If you cut all the way through the floret, you're cutting through the cell structure of the curd — and when you cook it, that part will get mushy. Easier still: Place the larger florets on a baking sheet, sprinkle with a little olive oil and roast them. Michael Marks is the marketing manager for FreshPoint.

Why are my cauliflower bites soggy? ›

If your buffalo cauliflower bites are soggy, it's likely because they were not tossed with the sauce while hot. Be sure to add them to the bowl with the sauce as soon as they come out of the oven so that they stay nice and crispy.

What happens if you overcook cauliflower? ›

Strain, Drain, And Dry Your Cauliflower Well

Overcooking vegetables causes their structure to break down, releasing nutrients into the water. They will also release more moisture when overcooked, making everything soggy.

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