This Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower recipe makes crispy cauliflower bites with garlic Parmesan breading. They are baked in the oven instead of fried. It's bound to become your favorite vegetable side dish!
Cauliflower is my favorite vegetable. When I don't roast it, I make Mashed Cauliflower and my Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Roasting cauliflower is my favorite way of preparing it. This underrated vegetable has so much to offer and roasting it definitely tops the list. It brings out its delicious flavor and paired with garlic, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs create an irresistible dish. To make crunchy breaded cauliflower bites, you can use one of two methods. The final result is irresistible crunchy cauliflower bites!
This Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower is the best idea for a side dish featuring this vegetable. Aside from turning it into a vegetarian, healthy Alfredo sauce, or mashed cauliflower of course.
Ingredients:
- cauliflower - I used a medium size fresh cauliflower head. I do not recommend frozen cauliflower florets.
- butter - Not only does it allow the breading to stick to the cauliflower, but helps the florets brown nicely.
- garlic - Add flavor during roasting. I recommend using fresh garlic bulbs, but garlic powder works in a pinch.
- bread crumbs - I used plain, but Italian style or even panko can be used. If you don't have any on hand, make my homemade bread crumbs. It's so easy!
- Parmesan cheese - Adds toasted cheese flavor and crunch to the florets.
How to make roasted cauliflower?
- First cut the cauliflower head into florets, roughly the same size. You can slice the big florets in half if needed.
- You can either toss the cauliflower with olive oil or melted butter and then sprinkle with the breading mixture and stir to coat. I use this method in my The Best Roasted Broccoli recipe. The other option, that helps prevent any breading from falling off the cauliflower pieces, is to dip each floret into melted butter and then into the breading mixture. I use this method in my Baked Artichoke Hearts recipe and it's perfect!
How long does it take to roast cauliflower in the oven?
The time of baking cauliflower in the oven depends on the size of the pieces. If you cut the cauliflower head into florets, bite-size pieces, you need to preheat the oven to 400 degrees F for 25 to 27 minutes, or until the breading is golden brown. The whole cauliflower will take longer and the timing again will depend on how big the cauliflower head is. For an average size head, it may take anywhere from 40 to 50 minutes. Cauliflower steaks take about 15 minutes of baking time.
Helpful Tips!
- Cut the cauliflower into same-size florets so they all bake evenly.
- To save time, you can use a zip loc bag to coat the cauliflower. Place it in the bag, drizzle with butter, and shake to coat. Add breading, shake again, and place all on a baking sheet.
- After baking, drizzle hot sauce over the florets for the hot wings flavor!
Recipe FAQs:
I recommend using fresh cauliflower. Frozen florets need to be thawed and will still have excess moisture. This can cause the cauliflower to burn and not roast properly.
Of course! Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F and roast the cauliflower for 15 minutes. An air fryer will usually cut the roasting time in half. Make sure to not overcrowd the basket or tray. The air needs to circulate around the food.
Absolutely! Use them along with plain bread crumbs or on their own. They will add even more crunch!
More delicious side dish recipes:
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower head
- ½ cup butter melted
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup Italian or plain breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.1 medium cauliflower head
- Remove all leaves from cauliflower head. Cut cauliflower into florets, all roughly the same size. You can slice the large florets in half, if needed.
- Melt butter and in a small bowl. Add garlic and stir in.½ cup butter, 2 garlic cloves
- Place breadcrumbs, salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese in another bowl.1 cup Italian or plain breadcrumbs, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Dip each cauliflower piece into butter first, then to breadcrumbs.
- Place each breaded piece on prepared baking sheet. Repeat until you use up all cauliflower.
- Roast cauliflower for 35 to 32 minutes, or until the breading is golden brown.
Video
Notes
- This cauliflower can be served as a side dish or an appetizer along with a dipping sauce, like Ranch.
- This breading method prevents the coating mixture from falling off the cauliflower pieces. You can also pour the melted butter over cauliflower bites in a bowl and toss gently to coat. Then sprinkle with breading mixture and stir to coat. Bake as instructed in the recipe above.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
Kathy says
Really delicious!! ❤️ Everyone said it was the best cauliflower they’ve had. Thank you 😊
Anna says
I am so glad it was a hit! Thank you, Kathy!
Sonya says
This cauliflower is so amazing that my husband and I just can't get enough of it!!! If you don't really care for cauliflower, try this and I will bet that you will change your mind. One thing I will recommend, use the Italian bread crumbs.
Anna says
Hi Sonya! Thank you so much! I am so glad it's such a hit with you and your husband. It's a family favorite here too!
Just Me says
Second time making this!! I knew how good it was going to be after carefully crafting the first time, so this time I got impatient and dumped everything together in a 13x9 pan - just as good. I ate the entire roast cauliflower by myself- no shame!
Jennifer says
I made it the first time and ate the whole thing. I had to go back to the store for another cauliflower and bought broccoli along with!! Both yummy prepared the same way! 😋😊
Anna says
Haha! I love that, Jennifer! I am so glad the cauliflower (and broccoli!) was such a hit! Thank you for trying my recipe!
Kate says
Anna, ,thank you! I made this exactly as recipe states and it was delicious. It has wonderful flavors.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Yay! I am so glad you love it, Kate!
LadySmith says
Delightful appetizers
Marsha says
This is a really good recipe. Have now made multiple times and everyone loves them.
Anna says
Thank you, Marsha!
Sharon says
Just made this, using crushed pork rinds and adding Italian Zest seasoning from Flavor God, instead of the carb-heavy bread crumbs! It was amazing!
Anna says
Thank you so much, Sharon!
Kimberly says
How do I make this dish keto friendly?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Skip breadcrumbs and use crushed pork rinds. I hope this helps!
Dave says
We loved this! Simple and easy. Making another batch tonight. Thanks!
Anna says
Thank you, Dave!
Kim says
Awesome, everyone loved it
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Fantastic! Thank you, Kim!
Mary Barron says
Will almond flour work in place of bread crumbs?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Mary! I did not test this recipe with almond flour so I can't say what the result will be. So sorry!
Donna says
I use olive oil, nutritional yeast and chopped almonds in place of butter cheese and bread crumbs
Anna says
Sounds great! Thank you so much for sharing, Donna!
Vergult Mieke says
Heaven on a rainy day!
Amy says
These look incredible and super crispy! Can't wait to try this!
Bonnie says
One word: AMAZING! My whole family devoured this cauliflower! It's requested even as an appetizer! Thank you!!!
Anna says
Yay! That's fantastic, Bonnie! Thank you so much!
Beverly Ranville says
Can I use frozen cauliflower florets
Nicole says
Should I flip them half way throu cooking for even browning? Or no need to flip?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
You can check on them and if you think they need to be flipped, do so.
Lauren says
I could eat this roasted cauliflower every day! The breading is so delicious! Thank you for this recipe!