It is so important to get your veggies in, and this roasted cauliflower recipe sure makes it easy! Bite-sized cauliflower, seasoned and oven-roasted to a crispy perfection just like our oven-baked zucchini fries. This vegetable side dish makes a great addition to any dinner or may be enjoyed on its own! 

Pair this roasted veggie dish with our avocado sauce for the perfect appetizer. 

Cauliflower florets on a baking sheet with an avocado dip in a ramekin in the center.

Cauliflower is super versatile and we have found it’s ultimate form! Buttered up and coated in breadcrumbs, these florets are roasted in the oven to ensure an easy and healthy dish, just like our roasted vegetable recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple. This recipe is straightforward with simple ingredients. It’s easy to make at home and results in great flavor.
  • Healthy. Cauliflower is a veggie that’s lower in calories and is jam-packed with vitamins. 
  • Versatile. You can pair this roasted cauliflower dish with any meaty entree for a well-rounded meal. 
Roasted cauliflower arranged on a sheet pan, topped with cilantro.

Ingredients for Roasted Cauliflower

Simple ingredients come together to create the most flavorful side dish, here’s what you’ll need for the recipe:

  • Cauliflower – medium-sized florets. 
  • Butter – melted with seasonings such as salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Breadcrumbs – breadcrumbs mixed with panko, seasoning, and parmesan cheese. 
  • Avocado dipping sauce – a mix of avocado, mayo, and hot sauce, for the most flavor-filled sauce. 

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below.

Cauliflower chips: Cut cauliflower into extra thin pieces and cook it in the oven to make chips!

How to Roast Cauliflower

Step-by-step instructions on making the best-roasted cauliflower with little to no prep time. 

A bowl of the melted butter mixture.

Step 1 – Set up: Assemble the station by setting up one large bowl for the butter mixture and a second bowl for the breading. 

Two glass bowls showing our breading station and cauliflower florets.

Step 2 – Coat: Dip each floret in the butter and dredge in the breadcrumbs. Arrange flat sides on a lined baking sheet. 

Seasoned and coated cauliflower florets, arranged on a baking sheet.

Step 3 – Bake: In an oven at 425°F, bake for 16-18 minutes or until cauliflower steaks are crispy and tender. 

Baked cauliflower on the baking sheet, next to a little bowl of dipping sauce.

Step 4 – Sauce: Combine dipping sauce ingredients. 

Get saucy: 

Toss the roasted cauliflower in your favorite buffalo sauce to get an appetizer that resembles buffalo chicken wings!

Golden-brown cauliflower florets arrange next to each other.

Other Methods of Cooking 

  • Air-fryer: Fill the air fryer tray with seasoned cauliflower florets. At 390°F, air fry cauliflower for 15 minutes, flipping halfway. 
  • Pan fry: Add a thin layer of olive oil to a pan, and fry cauliflower on medium-high heat. Flip florets over to get a good sear on each of the flat edges.

Serving Suggestions

  • Side: Serve up the oven-baked cauliflower as a side to your favorite crispy chicken sandwich or pair them with creamy smothered pork chops.
  • With a salad: This roasted cauliflower tastes incredible when paired with a creamy egg salad
  • Glaze: Finish the roasted cauliflower with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, or cilantro, and drizzle with your homemade balsamic glaze
  • On its own: The crispy cauliflower makes for a great and healthy snack that you can enjoy on its own! Whether you like them hot or at room temperature, this cauliflower is delectable.

Extra crispy:

Cauliflower tastes excellent when it has an extra crunch. Give the cauliflower that extra crunch by roasting it in the oven for a few extra minutes.

Recipe FAQs

Can roasted cauliflower be made vegan? 

This recipe is a great vegan dish if you substitute the butter for oil or your favorite dairy-free alternative. 

Can this recipe be made with broccoli? 

Yes, you can substitute the cauliflower florets for broccoli florets! The results are just as delicious.

Why did my cauliflower turn out mushy? 

Mushy cauliflower is a result of overcrowding the baking sheet. Make sure you are leaving room between the florets for proper cooking. 

Store & Reheat 

  • Storage. Store the leftovers of roasted cauliflower in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
  • Reheat. Cauliflower leftovers can be served cold or warmed up in the oven. Simply set the oven to 350°F and heat until warm throughout. 
  • Freeze. Arrange the cooked cauliflower on a baking sheet and allow to freeze completely. Proceed to transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months. Reheat: Place frozen florets in the oven at 425°F for 10-12 minutes or until warm throughout. 

More Roasted Vegetable Recipes

If you enjoyed this cauliflower recipe, be sure to try our other popular vegetable recipes:

If you tried this Roasted Cauliflower Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below – we appreciate it!

Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

Author: Valentina
Print
5 from 6 votes
Serve up some delicious, crispy cauliflower with this roasted cauliflower recipe. Crunchy florets buttered up, seasoned, and coated in a crispy breading. By oven-roasting the vegetable, you can get a healthy yet incredibly flavored vegetable dish. Dip into some of our avocado ranch dip, and you have a perfect appetizer.
Prep Time: 4 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 cups of raw cauliflower florets

bowl 1 –

  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

bowl 2 –

  • ¼ cup of plain breadcrumbs
  • 3 Tbsp of parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup of panko bread crumbs
  • ½ tsp of ground paprika
  • 1 tsp of Italian seasoning
  • avocado sauce as dipping optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Combine ingredients for bowl 1 and bowl 2.
  • Dip florets into butter mixture and then dredge in breadcrumbs. Pat the breading into the cauliflower. Lay florets evenly on the baking sheet.
  • Bake for 16-18 minutes or until cauliflower is nice and crispy.
  • Combine the dipping sauce ingredients in a bowl.
  • Serve cauliflower hot or cold with the avocado ranch, and enjoy!

Notes

  • Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. 
  • Size: Cut cauliflower florets extra thin for a chip-like texture.
  • Overcrowding pan: Be sure to arrange florets in an even layer on the baking sheet to prevent the vegetable from turning mushy.

Nutrition

159kcal Calories14g Carbs4g Protein9g Fat2g Saturated Fat5mg Cholesterol403mg Sodium159mg Potassium2g Fiber1g Sugar210IU Vitamin A3.3mg Vitamin C81mg Calcium1.1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 159 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 5mg2%
Sodium 403mg18%
Potassium 159mg5%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 210IU4%
Vitamin C 3.3mg4%
Calcium 81mg8%
Iron 1.1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)