Discover the secret to achieving perfectly crispy roasted cauliflower with our step-by-step guide. Learn how to prep, season, and roast cauliflower to perfection plus our 4 favorite crispy cauliflower recipes.
Crispy cauliflower can be baked in the oven or air fryer. A little bit of oil helps it get crispy, and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make. Even your pickiest eaters might love the crispy edges and be happy to eat their veggies!
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How to Select and Store Cauliflower
Choose cauliflower heads with clean, tightly packed white florets. Avoid heads with brown or wet spots, which can indicate spoilage. Look for cauliflower with crisp, green leaves.
STORAGE: Remove the cauliflower from its packaging when you get home from the store. Place the unwashed cauliflower in a loosely sealed plastic bag or a vegetable storage bag. Store in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, where it can stay fresh for up to 5 days.
What You Need
There are hundreds of variations of roasted cauliflower. They all start with:
- Cauliflower
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
How To Get Your Cauliflower Crispy
- Wash and Dry the Cauliflower: Start by thoroughly drying the cauliflower florets. Excess moisture can make the cauliflower steam instead of roast, which will result in a softer texture. Use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to pat the cauliflower dry.
- Cut Uniformly: Cut the cauliflower into uniform-sized florets. This ensures even cooking, so you don't end up with some pieces undercooked and others overcooked.
- Use High Heat: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F, 204 degrees C. The high heat helps to crisp up the cauliflower quickly.
- Toss with Oil: Drizzle the cauliflower florets with olive or avocado oil and toss them to ensure they are evenly coated. The oil helps with browning and crisping.
- Use a Large Baking Sheet: Spread the cauliflower evenly on a baking sheet in a single layer. Crowding the pan can cause the cauliflower to steam rather than roast. Use a large enough sheet pan or two, if necessary. Make sure the cauliflower pieces are not too close to each other. Overcrowding can lead to steaming and soggy cauliflower.
- Serve Immediately: For the crispiest roasted cauliflower, serve the cauliflower immediately. It can lose some of its crispiness as it cools.
More Roasted Cauliflower Recipes
Roasted Cauliflower and Asparagus with Carrots
This recipe is very crispy! Cauliflower, asparagus, and carrots are all roasted on a single sheet pan and seasoned with fresh herbs. This colorful side dish is cooked in 15 minutes.
Oven Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots
Cauliflower is oven-roasted alongside carrots and whole garlic cloves in this recipe to create a delectably crispy side dish.
All you need to do is season chopped cauliflower and carrots with some fresh garlic and thyme, and then roast it all in the oven on a sheet pan. This is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables.
Oven Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic and EVOO
Slow-roasted cauliflower and garlic create a tasty, nutritious, and low-carb option for your meal, perfect as a main course or side dish. Pair with fish, steak, or chops.
Garlic slowly roasts and caramelizes alongside fresh cauliflower making this a delicious and nutrient-dense side dish. It's so easy to make and ready in 25 minutes.
How to Make Cauliflower Crispy in an Air Fryer
To make cauliflower crispy in an air fryer, cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the florets in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Golden brown with crispy edges, air fryer snapper with veggies is an easy-to-make weeknight meal. Use thin, white fillets of fish, fresh cauliflower, and creamy butter for an epic dinner tonight!
What To Eat with Roast Cauliflower
- Delicious Roasted Asparagus
- How to Roast Brussels Sprouts
- Oven Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots
- Roasted Broccoli and Carrots
- Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Arugula
- Oven Roasted Spaghetti Squash
- Oven Roasted Acorn Squash with Pumpkin Pie Spice
How to Make Cauliflower Crispy
To make crispy cauliflower, start by cutting the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Toss them in olive oil, salt, pepper, and your favorite seasonings. Spread the florets on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast at 425°F (220°C) for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crispy.
FAQ
A cup of roasted cauliflower has about 160 calories.
You can serve with quinoa or pasta with roasted cauliflower for a vegan meal. For some extra protein, try our favorite Roasted Best Ever Lemon Basil Chicken for your main course.
Children adore roasted cauliflower. I believe vegetables are more flavorful when prepared this way, with cauliflower being a prime example. For a sweeter twist, consider our recipe for Oven Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots, a sure hit with the little ones.
How to Make Roasted Cauliflower Crispy
Ingredients
- 1 small to medium cauliflower broken into 2" pieces
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Trim off the green leaves and stems from the cauliflower. Detach the florets and cut through the base of each one to create smaller florets. Place in a mixing bowl.
- Add oil, salt, pepper, and toss with your hands until all the cauliflower is evenly coated.
- Spread cauliflower in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast 20 minutes, tossing cauliflower and rotating pan halfway through cooking.
- Remove pan from oven and let cool for about five minutes. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
