Crispy Garlic Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

To die for crispy garlic roasted cauliflower with lemon and thyme, tossed with smoked paprika, sprinkled with panko bread crumbs for extra crunch and covered with a blanket of custardy eggs.Jump to Recipe

This might come as a surprise but I have decided to become a full time vegetarian. I know, I know, maybe more like a vegetarian-pescatarian, for now anyways, who knows… ask me again in a few months and I might tell you different.

It is not my intent to preach here nor convert anyone, this is simply what feels right for me in the evolution of my soul, so I’m giving it a go. I simply can’t come up with a legit justification to eat animals anymore, so here we are:

Lemon Garlic Roasted Cauliflower for Dinner 🙂

Food style: Florentina | Photo by: mihamatei.com

This change brings me straight to one of my all time favorite vegetarian recipes from my childhood. I could eat this roasted cauliflower every day you guys, I swear on my saffron.

What I love about this dish:

  • Cauliflower is one of the healthiest foods on the planet. (You can google this)
  • low in calories but high in nutritional value, so you can eat a lot of it and not worry about your waist line!
  • loaded with anti cancer properties, now that’s a winner in my book.
  • you really can’t overcook cauliflower, so If you forget it in the oven for an extra 15 minutes, no big deal, it will just be crisper and more caramelized.

I prefer my cauliflower extra crispy and flavorful. So my secret is toss it well in olive oil, spices and smoked paprika, and just before I throw it in the oven I add a handful of panko bread crumbs for that nice crispy bite.

Wanna go for a paleo version? Just leave out the panko and you are all set!

What really makes this dish extra special is that last step, where I pour some beaten eggs over the top in the last couple of minutes of cooking.Thenjust let them gently set into a custard like blanket over the crispy peaks of the cauliflower florets.

This is so delicious, If you aren’t careful you’ll be sitting there with your head in the pan until it’s all gone. Pretty guilt free tough, so let’s crank up that oven and get roasting!

Variations when making this:

  • mix with broccoli florets and serve with Parmesan cheese.
  • replace the thyme with a sprig of rosemary.
  • drizzle with some basil pesto and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts.
  • serve as a vegetarian main dish or on top of a bed of quinoa, cannellini bean puree, gnocchi or next to a freshtomato salad.

Food style: Florentina | Photo by: mihamatei.com

Crispy Garlic Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (7)

Crispy Garlic Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

To die for crispy garlic roasted cauliflower with lemon and thyme, tossed with smoked paprika, and sprinkled with panko bread crumbs.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:5 minutes mins

Cook Time:45 minutes mins

Total Time:50 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 2 heads organic cauliflower – cut into florets
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil + more as needed
  • 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 8 cloves garlic – peeled
  • 6 sprigs thyme
  • sea salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika + more to taste
  • 5 organic eggs -lightly whisked together with 1 tbsp water + a pinch sea salt
  • 1 lemon -halved
  • 1/2 cup italian parsley (or cilantro or dill -roughly chopped )
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds or pine nuts -toasted

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 425″F.

  • In a large oven proof tray toss the cauliflower with the olive oil, garlic, thyme, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Sprinkle with the panko bread crumbs and bake for 45 minutes, stirring it gently half way through.

  • After 45 minutes and once the cauliflower is nice and golden crispy around the edges, pour the eggs all over the cauliflower without stirring or touching it.

  • Roast in the oven for an addition 2-3 minutes until the eggs have set.

  • Serve out of the roasting dish garnished with the herbs and sprinkled with the pumpkin seeds or pine nuts.

  • Give it a squeeze of the lemon juice and enjoy with some freshly cracked black pepper on top.

Notes

You can use 2 small heads of cauliflower or 1 large one.

Nutrition

Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 204mg | Sodium: 208mg | Potassium: 1156mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1860IU | Vitamin C: 167.1mg | Calcium: 142mg | Iron: 4.3mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 4

Calories: 348kcal

Author: Florentina

You’ll Also Love:

Crispy Garlic Roasted Cauliflower Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my roasted cauliflower soggy? ›

Overcrowding the baking tray will result in mushy and not evenly cooked cauliflower. Choosing a proper cooking fat ensures roasted cauliflower goodness. The two I recommend are avocado oil and grass-fed ghee, both of which can tolerate high-heat cooking.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

This process – which should last 10-20 minutes - destroys several microbes and large parasites. As cauliflower is highly susceptible to microbial attacks, it should be washed once again. This time, boil some water and put the cauliflower florets in it. Keep for five minutes and remove from the hot water.

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.

How healthy is roasted cauliflower? ›

When it comes to nutrition, cauliflower is a superstar. It's high in vitamins C and K, and is also a good source of folate, which supports cell growth and is essential during pregnancy. Cauliflower is fat-free and cholesterol-free. And it's low in sodium.

Why isn't my roasted cauliflower crispy? ›

Crowding the Baking Sheet

Cauliflower has a very high water content, so it won't get crispy if you bake the florets crowded together. "Be sure to give each floret a bit of room so that the they have space for airflow. I'd also recommend baking them on a silicone baking mat," says Blay.

How do you keep roasted vegetables crispy? ›

The next time you roast vegetables, add some cornstarch. Yes, cornstarch—that box in your pantry is the secret to a super-crispy exterior on veggies, from potatoes to cauliflower. Cornstarch is commonly used to coat proteins like chicken or beef to achieve a crispy exterior, so why not use it with vegetables?

What happens when you add lemon juice to water when cooking cauliflower? ›

Helps retain color: Cauliflower can sometimes turn brown or lose its vibrant white color when cooked. However, the acid in lemon juice can help prevent discoloration and maintain the cauliflower's white appearance.

Should cauliflower be washed before roasting? ›

Cauliflower florets are usually pre-washed. However, if you purchased a head of cauliflower, you'll want to rinse off the cauliflower head so it's free of dirt, bugs, or debris.

Why do you put lemon juice in cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower contains some phytonutrients, these nutrients may react with iron cookware and gives the cauliflower a brownish color. To prevent this add some lemon juice to the cauliflower or to the water in which it is blanched.

How do you keep cauliflower fresh and crisp? ›

How to Store Cauliflower in the Fridge. Store fresh cauliflower heads in a loosely closed or perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator. Cauliflower needs air circulation, so don't seal or knot the bag closed (If you bought a plastic-wrapped head of cauliflower from the grocery store, just loosen up the knot).

Can you over cook cauliflower? ›

The general rule of thumb is about 20 minutes. Cauliflower that is overcooked will lose up to 50% of its vitamins and minerals. If you want a healthy meal, cook it for just a few minutes less.

How do you clean cauliflower before roasting? ›

Cut the florets of Cauliflower or Broccoli and soak them in bowl of water with 2 table spoons of salt. Soak them for 5 minutes and drain. Rinse the florets with tap water a couple of times.

What color cauliflower is healthiest? ›

Purple. Purple cauliflower is the healthiest option, with numerous advantages. The purple hue is due to the antioxidants called anthocyanins. These are the pigments present in various other plants and plant-based products, including red cabbage and red wine.

Is cauliflower good for high blood pressure? ›

Research shows sulforaphane helps lower cholesterol levels, which can keep your arteries clear of fatty buildup. This promotes healthy blood pressure and lowers your risk of heart disease. Cauliflower's dietary fiber has similar cholesterol-lowering abilities.

Why do I crave cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower's mild flavor, satisfying texture, and chameleon-like versatility makes it not only a hearty and nutritious add-in as is, but also an inventive and savvy swap for gluten-free, plant-based, and refined-carb-conscious eaters.

How do you fix mushy roasted vegetables? ›

But, they'll turn out soft and soggy instead of crispy and caramelized. The solution: Turn the oven temperature up to 400°F to 425°F. The high heat will quickly coax out all those naturally sweet flavors while keeping the vegetable tender-crisp. Everything will be golden brown and delicious!

How do you keep roasted vegetables from getting 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 make roasted vegetables not mushy? ›

Arrange in one layer.

Once the vegetables are properly coated with oil, spread them out evenly across your baking sheet in one layer. If the vegetables are arranged too closely together or are on top of one another, they will steam, making them mushy rather than caramelized.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 6287

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.