Description
Crispy roasted cauliflower elevates humble vegetables into a mouthwatering Mediterranean-inspired side dish. Golden edges, fragrant herbs, and tangy spices create an irresistible experience that will delight dinner companions and spark culinary curiosity.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Oils:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
Instructions
- Separate cauliflower into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even roasting and maximum crispiness.
- Drizzle olive oil generously over florets, ensuring complete and thorough coating for enhanced flavor and golden texture.
- Sprinkle garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper across the florets, massaging seasonings into every crevice for deep, consistent taste.
- Arrange cauliflower pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet, creating a single layer with slight spacing between florets to promote optimal air circulation and crispiness.
- Slide baking sheet into a preheated 425F (220C) oven, positioning rack in the middle for uniform heat distribution.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through cooking to guarantee even browning and prevent potential burning.
- Monitor cauliflower closely during final roasting minutes, looking for deep golden edges and crisp exterior that signals perfect doneness.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes, allowing residual heat to continue crisping the edges and intensifying flavors.
- Transfer to a serving platter immediately, presenting the roasted cauliflower while at peak temperature and crunchiness.
Notes
- Prevent sogginess by thoroughly drying cauliflower florets with a clean kitchen towel before seasoning to remove excess moisture.
- Customize spice blends using curry powder, za’atar, or Italian herbs for global flavor variations without changing core cooking technique.
- Space florets generously on baking sheet to ensure maximum crispiness and even browning, avoiding overcrowding which steams instead of roasts.
- Transform dish into protein-packed meal by sprinkling nutritional yeast or adding roasted chickpeas for extra texture and nutritional boost.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 91 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 296 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg