The BEST oven-roasted cauliflower and it’s so easy. The flavor and texture are perfect with just some simple seasoning, oil, and butter.
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Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
This baked cauliflower recipe is a go-to side dish like Corn on the Cob and Roasted Brussels Sprouts. It’s a dish you’ll make over and over.
This oven-roasted cauliflower is easy and excellent. The combination of butter and olive oil caramelizes the florets and they are baked to crisp-tender perfection. The best thing about this recipe is that you can customize the seasoning with what you have on hand with great results.
The Best Seasoning for Cauliflower
Cauliflower goes well with just about any seasoning. Even a simple salt and pepper seasoning works well. These are the seasonings we love most:
- Salt – we love fine sea salt
- Black Pepper – freshly cracked
- Garlic Powder – or try garlic salt
- Paprika – adds color and flavor (a little goes a long way)
Can I add cheese? we love to add cheese to cauliflower. Sprinkle cauliflower with 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese in the last 5 minutes of cooking for a parmesan roasted cauliflower.
How to Roast Cauliflower
This roasted cauliflower recipe is so easy to make and uses ingredients you most likely already have on hand
- Preheat the oven to 425˚F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
- Slice the cauliflower into traditional florets or into flat cauliflower steaks.
- Seasoning- Add the cauliflower to the center of your baking sheet, drizzle with oil and butter, and toss to coat. Season the cauliflower and toss again then spread into a single layer.
- Bake cauliflower for 15-20 minutes, or until desired tenderness and golden at the edges. The baking time may vary depending on the size of your pieces.
How to Slice Cauliflower into Steaks: Slice the cauliflower head into 4-5 wedges. Then, cut the wedges into even 1/2″ thick steaks and break them apart into bite-sized pieces. As they are roasted, the flat sides caramelize against the baking sheet adding a depth of flavor. It also results in evenly browned pieces.
How Long to Bake Cauliflower?
The bake time for roasted cauliflower will depend on the size, thickness, and desired doneness of your pieces.
- Smaller pieces – you only need about 15-20 minutes.
- Larger florets – bake 20-25 minutes. Until the cauliflower is caramelized and golden.
Air Fryer Instructions:
Cooking cauliflower in an air fryer is quick and easy. When air frying, I skip the butter and just use 2-3 Tbsp olive oil. Air fry cauliflower at 375˚ for 10-15 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes, until golden and tender.
Make-Ahead
- Meal Prep – you can pre-chop your cauliflower a few days ahead, cover and refrigerate then add seasoning before roasting.
- Refrigerate – once cooled to room temperature, you can cover and refrigerate leftover roasted cauliflower for up to 3 days.
- Reheating – You can reheat the cauliflower on the stovetop, oven, or air fryer just until heated through.
More Side Dish Recipes
If you loved this roasted cauliflower, be sure to try these fail-proof side dish recipes:
- Easy Roasted Carrots
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Easy Vegetable Stir Fry
- Tomato Mozzarella Salad
- Creamy Mushroom Asparagus
Oven Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower, sliced in small florets, or 1/2" thick steaks
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp ground paprika
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the head of cauliflower into 1/2" thick steaks, breaking up wedges into even, bite-sized pieces.
- Add the cauliflower to the center of the baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil and melted butter and toss to combine.
- In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, salt, paprika, and pepper for the seasoning. Sprinkle onto caulliflower and toss to evenly coat.
- Spread the cauliflower evenly on the baking sheet and bake at 425˚F for 15-20 minutes, until cauliflower reaches desired crispiness.
Notes
You may substitute oil instead of butter if you don’t want to use any butter.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
Hi! I’m Natasha Kravchuk, a New York Times bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, food photographer, and writer. Here you’ll find delicious, reliable recipes made with simple ingredients, plus easy step-by-step photos and videos to help you cook confidently at home. 
Thank you for including the boneless thighs with the careful timing. These were cooked just right and tasted great!
This is exactly what we need for keto diets. More like this !!! ❤️
Loved!!! My husband and I were sad we didn’t make more!
You may need to make a double batch for next time, Cheryl!
Loved it, another family favorite, when the little ones are not here I add a pinch of red pepper flakes!
Great idea, DeAnn! Thank you for sharing that with me.
Delicious! Made this twice so far. My new favorite way to eat cauliflower.
I’m so glad to hear you loved it, Kate.
This was the best Roasted Cauliflower recipe I’ve ever made. I used EVOO abmnd Garlic salt instead of the powder and salt separately. It was delicious!
I’m so glad you loved it, Jackie! Thank you for sharing that with me!
This recipe is very similar to one that I’ve used for years, and always turned that well. The biggest difference is in the seasonings. I use Harissa. It adds a little kick and a very complex group of flavors.
Thanks for sharing, Dale! I’m glad it’s similar to another recipe that you love!
My family loved this, especially the caramelization on the underside!
I didn’t care for this the butter made it too soggy. And kind of defeated the healthy idea I had for cauliflower….
Hi Kristin! I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it. Was your oven fully preheated before baking? Did you bake them too long that they become soggy and mushy? It will take 15-25 mins depending on the size. If you prefer just oil, see my air frying instructions above.
The title says “roasted”, while the recipe says “bake”. Which setting should I use on my oven?
Hi Jeff! Use the regular bake setting on your oven. While baking and roasting are similar, the term “roast” just implies a faster, higher-temperature process that caramelizes the exterior which is what we’re doing here.
I mixed the melted butter, olive oil and seasonings in a small bowl and tossed with the cauliflower in a bigger bowl before placing on the parchment paper. Turned out delicious since all the crevices of the cauliflower were coated thoroughly. Will definitely make again.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
Perfect. Wouldn’t change a thing. This is coming from someone who doesn’t care for cauliflower all that much, but will be making this recipe again!
That’s great, Acsana! I’m glad it won you over. We enjoy this recipe.
These were so easy and there was none left….I used a pinch of slap yo mama and a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese the last 5 minutes…….FABULOUS!!
Thanks so much, love your EASY recipes that are delicious!!
So glad you enjoyed them!
Can I make this ahead? Plan to have 12 for dinner so trying to do things ahead as much as possible.
Yes you can make this ahead. I suggest to go to this portion of the recipe “Make-Ahead” for more tips!
The butter really adds so much more flavor than just plain oil. I used salted butter and the cauliflower turned out great! And the paprika gave it such a nice color. I think next time I will add 1/4 tsp of roasted onion powder as well.
Thank you for such a great recipe! This one will go in my permanent rotation.
You’re welcome and totally agree that the butter really adds so much flavor to the recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Natasha! Perfect timing! I was just thinking for some side dish to go with my roasted chicken thighs, and I was looking through some of your recipes and I saw your Roasted Cauliflower. I made them, they turned out perfect, crunchy from the outside and soft inside. Thank you Natasha for sharing your recipes. Nada.
Hi Nada! I’m so glad to hear that. Thank you for sharing.
I only have smoked paprika. Can I use this?
Hi Marna, yes, you definitely can. It will have a slightly different flavor profile but still delicious.