Crispy Baked Cauliflower

This Crispy Baked Cauliflower is a delicious and healthy alternative to fried snacks. Lightly coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and baked to perfection, these crunchy cauliflower bites make a great appetizer, side dish, or snack. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor.

Ingredients

For the Cauliflower:

1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets

½ cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)

½ cup milk (or dairy-free alternative)

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

½ tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

For the Coating:

1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or crushed pork rinds for keto)

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter

For Serving (Optional):

Ranch, marinara, or buffalo sauce for dipping

Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.

2. Prepare the Batter

In a large bowl, mix the flour, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until a smooth batter forms.

3. Coat the Cauliflower

Dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, ensuring an even coating. Shake off excess, then roll in the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture for extra crispiness.

4. Bake the Cauliflower

Place the coated cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil or melted butter for a golden crust.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

5. Serve

Remove from the oven and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutritional Information 

Calories: 150 kcal

Protein: 5g

Carbohydrates: 18g

Fat: 6g

Fiber: 3g

Sugar: 2g

(Values vary depending on specific ingredients used.)

Notes & Tips

Gluten-Free Option: Use almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Keto Option: Replace breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds and use almond flour.

Extra Crispy: Broil for the last 2-3 minutes for an ultra-crunchy texture.

Spicy Version: Add cayenne pepper or mix hot sauce into the batter.

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for crispiness.

This crispy baked cauliflower is perfect for guilt-free snacking.