Take your veggie game from meh to AMAZING with this easy, wildly flavorful spicy roasted cauliflower! Humble florets get a generous coating of spices then roast in the oven until caramelized and crispy at the edges. Seriously addictive!
This roasted spiced cauliflower is seriously good
When you try this spicy roasted cauliflower, you’ll understand why it’s become the star of many mealtimes. Crispy on the edges, tender inside, with a caramelised flavour, the humble cauliflower has never been so exciting!
This dish is incredibly versatile and can be adapted with different spices to suit your taste. You might fancy a blend of traditional Indian spices, or perhaps a more Mediterranean mix of herbs and garlic. Whatever your choice, the roasting process intensifies the natural sweetness of the cauliflower while the spices create a lovely contrast.
This dish pairs beautifully with a variety of main dishes, but I often find myself enjoying it all on its own (or with a creamy dipping sauce), it’s that good!
What do you need?
- Cauliflower: Select a fresh head of cauliflower with a firm texture, pristine white colour, and vibrant green leaves. Ensure there are no dark spots. You can swap in frozen florets, though fresh is preferable for the best taste and texture.
- Olive oil: Choose a good quality olive oil to add a subtle flavour to the dish. You can use olive oil spray if you prefer to reduce the amount of oil used.
- Spices: This recipe uses a mix of garlic powder, turmeric powder, and smoked paprika, for a warm earthy flavour. You can also add some cayenne pepper for heat, or see below for more variations.
Preparation steps
- Preheat your oven to 220°C for a conventional setting or 200°C with a fan.
- Prep your cauliflower. Trim the outer leaves and cut off the bottom of the root, cut the cauliflower in half, then into quarters, removing the core, and break into florets. Place the cauliflower florets on a baking tray lined with baking paper or parchment.
- Spice it up! Drizzle the florets with oil, sprinkle with the spices, then toss to coat the florets evenly in the seasoning.
- Roast it. Roast your spiced cauliflower in the oven for around 25-30 minutes until the florets are tender and golden. For an even roast, turn the florets halfway through.
Variations
- Parmesan-herb: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and a mix of dried herbs like thyme, oregano, and basil over the cauliflower before roasting.
- Garlic-lemon: Mince garlic and mix with olive oil and lemon zest, then toss with the cauliflower before roasting for a bright, zesty flavor.
- Indian spiced: Mix curry powder, turmeric, and a pinch of ginger with the oil before tossing with the cauliflower for an Indian-inspired dish.
Serving ideas
- Sprinkle with feta or goat cheese for an extra punch of flavour.
- Add a squeeze of lemon or a drizzle of tahini for a Middle Eastern twist.
- Scatter with freshly chopped herbs like coriander or parsley to brighten the dish.
- Toss the cauliflower with buffalo sauce and serve with a side of blue cheese dressing for a vegetarian take on buffalo wings.
Spicy Roasted Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 large cauliflower head (cut into florets)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea-salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼-½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, add according to your heat preference)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 220°/430°F.
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
- Place the cauliflower florets onto the baking sheet. Drizzle with oil, sprinkle with the seasonings, then toss to coat.
- Place in the oven to roast until fork-tender and crispy around the edges, 20-25 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.
Ria
Thursday 21st of March 2024
OMG, this spicy roasted cauliflower is sooo moreish for! I can't stop eating it! I made extra so we could have leftovers, but it all got eaten, Whoops! 🌶️😋
Sue W
Thursday 21st of March 2024
I made this for my family last night, and everyone raved about it! Even my picky eaters were going back for seconds. Thanks for sharing such a delicious and easy recipe.