Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Recipe

Published: Jul 23, 2018 · Modified: May 27, 2023 by Anna 236 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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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.

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (1)

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients:
How to make roasted cauliflower?
How long does it take to roast cauliflower in the oven?
Helpful Tips!
Recipe FAQs:
More delicious side dish recipes:
Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower recipe

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.

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2)

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 methodin 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.

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (3)

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:

Can I use frozen cauliflower florets to make this?

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.

Can I make this dish in an air fryer?

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.

Can I use panko bread crumbs?

Absolutely! Use them along with plain bread crumbs or on their own. They will add even more crunch!

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (4)

More delicious side dish recipes:

Garlic Parmesan Baked Eggplant Recipe
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots Recipe
Roasted Potatoes and Carrots

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!

Author: Anna

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!

4.89 from 153 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

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.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Did you make this recipe? Let me know!

Jul says
February 20, 2024 at 10:46 pm

Great recipe! The home made / store made plain bread crumbs is the way to go as it keeps the breading light for max crispness and fuses better with the grated parmigiana cheese.
Reply
Debbie Pension says
February 07, 2024 at 5:46 pm

I love your recipe never was much of a cauliflower fan, but it is the best the most delicious thing I ever tasted. Thanks again.
Reply
Debbie Pension says
January 25, 2024 at 5:48 pm
See Also
Garlic Herb Butter Sous Vide Steak Recipe
Best cauliflower ever I don’t usually eat cauliflower, but this was the best I ever had will make it over and over. Thank you so very much.
Reply
Kristi A White says
December 19, 2023 at 7:29 pm

I put the cauliflower in a bowl, tossed it in the butter then shook it in a gallon bag of the crumb mixture. Easy. Very delicious.
Reply
Sharon says
December 09, 2023 at 9:34 pm

I’ve made this several times. So delicious and easy!
Reply
Steve says
November 23, 2023 at 12:57 am
Aaarrrggghhh! So frustrating! I wondered how butter was going to make bread crumbs stick to the cauliflower and I was right. Dipped the cauli in butter, dipped in the breadcrumbs, no coating. Tried pressing the crumbs in place but just got a nice coating on my fingers. Ended up sprinkling the coating over the cauli in the oven tray. Not as expected, but they did taste very nice.
Reply
Patty Dayton says
November 19, 2023 at 9:55 pm

I went with the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, and we loved it! I wouldn't change a thing.
Reply
Luanne bowen says
August 19, 2023 at 5:38 am

This was both easy and absolutely delicious. My husband said, “This should be on the appetizer menu at a nice restaurant!” I made it as a side dish for burgers. It’s a worthy substitute for fries! Thank you!
Reply
Sharon Pampalona says
August 06, 2023 at 1:43 pm

This roasted garlic parmesan cauliflower is just delicious. Have made it a couple of times. Everyone loves it. Delicious. I’ve made it as an appetizer, and also a side dish. Great recipe‼️😍
Reply
- Anna says
  August 08, 2023 at 11:38 pm
  That's wonderful! Thank you so much, Sharon!
  Reply
Sharon says
June 07, 2023 at 9:26 pm

I’d give this a ten if I could. Cauliflower isn’t my favorite vegetable but this was absolutely delicious. It’s all I had for dinner and I had to make myself stop eating it!
Reply
- Anna says
  June 09, 2023 at 2:21 pm
  This recipe tends to do that! Haha! I'm so glad the cauliflower was a hit! Thank you for giving my recipe a try, Sharon!
  Reply
Wilson Pat/Don says
May 23, 2023 at 5:21 pm

Delicious! My new favorite way of having cauliflower.
Cooked it in the air fryer 400 for 15 minutes and it was perfect.
Reply
Cat A says
April 22, 2023 at 4:27 pm
Delicious! Especially, when you just dump everything in a big bowl and mix it all up. Works great every time! I make this often. It has become a staple.
Reply
- Anna says
  April 29, 2023 at 7:35 pm
  I am so glad! Thank you so much, Cat!
  Reply
Susan says
April 13, 2023 at 6:57 pm
The cauliflower was a big hit! Flavor lovely. Easy to make.
Reply
- Anna says
  April 29, 2023 at 7:42 pm
  I am so glad!! Thank you, Susan!
  Reply
Wanda says
March 18, 2023 at 5:46 pm

Seriously, one of the best recipe for cauliflower that my family tasted. I added a few red pepper flakes for a punch. Sent this to several friends. Thank you for this easy recipe!
Reply
Franchesca says
February 28, 2023 at 4:10 pm

Soooo good!
Reply
Rick says
February 11, 2023 at 3:41 pm

Made this for my coworkers and they didn’t stop raving about it. We have another pot luck scheduled and everyone asked if I could bring the roasted cauliflower dish again. This time I decided to double the recipe and make it for a Super Bowl Sunday appetizer and the pot luck on Monday. The best part of all is how easy it comes together.
Reply
- Anna says
  February 11, 2023 at 5:54 pm
  That's absolutely fantastic! I am so glad the dish was such a hit! Thank you for making my recipe, Rick! Enjoy Super Bowl! Go Chiefs!
  Reply

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Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2024)

FAQs

Why is my roasted cauliflower tough? ›

Undercooking It. Overcooking is bad, but undercooking cauliflower is an equally off-putting problem. "When making cauliflower steaks or roasting florets, if you don't roast it in the oven long enough it will be warm but still hard and unenjoyable to eat," says Michalczyk.

Discover More ›

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.

Is roasted cauliflower good for you? ›

If you're not into cauliflower, try it roasted. It'll be on your veggie rotation in no time. Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable responsible for helping to reduce risk of cancer due to it's special antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effects, as well as it's high fiber content.

Discover More Details ›

What happens if you overcook cauliflower? ›

Strain, Drain, And Dry Your Cauliflower Well

Overcooking vegetables causes their structure to break down, releasing nutrients into the water. They will also release more moisture when overcooked, making everything soggy.

Read The Full Story ›

Can cauliflower be overcooked? ›

Overcooking cauliflower is easy, so less is better! Overcooked cauliflower has a strong odor and yellowish color due to sulfur compounds that are released. Cook cauliflower rapidly to preserve color and flavor.

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Why aren't my roasted vegetables crispy? ›

The Oven Temp Is Too Low

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.

Tell Me More ›

Should cauliflower be soft when cooked? ›

You can test the doneness through placing a fork into the middle of a floret; it ought to be effortlessly pierced. If the cauliflower isn't but tender, you could prepare dinner dinner it for some extra minutes.

Read On ›