The BEST oven-roasted cauliflower and it’s so easy. The flavor and texture are perfect with just some simple seasoning, oil, and butter.

Roasted caulilfower florets on a baking sheet topped with fresh chopped greens.

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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.

Sliced cauliflower steaks roasted in butter and seasoning on a baking sheet.

How to Roast Cauliflower

This roasted cauliflower recipe is so easy to make and uses ingredients you most likely already have on hand

  1. Preheat the oven to 425˚F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup. 
  2. Slice the cauliflower into traditional florets or into flat cauliflower steaks.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
Cauliflower florets on a baking sheet with a glass bowl of oil and another bowl of seasoning.

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.
Collage of how to season the cauliflower and how to roast the cauliflower florets.

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.

Air Fryer cauliflower

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:

Oven Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

4.99 from 842 votes
Roasted Cauliflower baked
The most delicious oven-roasted cauliflower recipe that will become your go-to side dish. Cauliflower florets drizzled in oil and butter and seasoned to perfection.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 as a side dish
  • 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

Bake time will slightly vary depending on the size of your florets or slices.
You may substitute oil instead of butter if you don’t want to use any butter.

Nutrition Per Serving

100kcal Calories5g Carbs2g Protein9g Fat3g Saturated Fat1g Trans Fat10mg Cholesterol223mg Sodium294mg Potassium2g Fiber2g Sugar158IU Vitamin A46mg Vitamin C23mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Oven Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
100
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
9
g
14
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Cholesterol
 
10
mg
3
%
Sodium
 
223
mg
10
%
Potassium
 
294
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
 
5
g
2
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
 
158
IU
3
%
Vitamin C
 
46
mg
56
%
Calcium
 
23
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked cauliflower, roasted cauliflower
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 100
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook
4.99 from 842 votes (701 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Martha
    March 19, 2021

    You’re right, my new favorite roasted cauliflower recipe! The combination of olive oil and “butter” made it really special. I did use vegan butter instead of real butter and it tasted great. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 19, 2021

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Ildi
    March 6, 2021

    Just took a bite!
    Mmmm…
    This is yummy 😋
    Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 7, 2021

      You are very welcome, I’m glad you loved it!

      Reply

  • jojo
    March 5, 2021

    i want recipes and also food that make s it a meal, meat plaua side dishes

    Reply

  • Helen
    March 4, 2021

    Natasha you are the best enjoying your shows

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 4, 2021

      Aww, I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe, Helen!

      Reply

  • Helen
    March 4, 2021

    Your recipes are absolutely helpful in making my decision for the next meal keep them coming

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 4, 2021

      I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for this wonderful comment!

      Reply

  • Annette
    March 3, 2021

    Making this tonight, its my side to go along with my meatloaf.
    Supper is going to be good tonight!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 3, 2021

      Yum! That sounds like the perfect dinner! I’m so glad you enjoyed that.

      Reply

  • Carol
    February 28, 2021

    Thank you, Natasha! This cauliflower recipe is terrific. I recently found you on FaceBook and am mesmerized by your videos. They are always so fun!
    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 28, 2021

      You are very welcome, Carol. Thank you too for your support, I’m glad you’re enjoying my recipes!

      Reply

  • Theresa
    February 28, 2021

    Thank you for the great recipes for vegetables love your recipes

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 28, 2021

      You are very welcome, Theresa!

      Reply

  • Colette Cameron
    February 27, 2021

    Looks amazing! Thank you! I live your recipes! I think I might have to make this tonight. Now to go thru your recipes to see what to have with it. 🙂

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 27, 2021

      It is so good! I can’t wait for you to try it!

      Reply

  • Donald j Mcnamara
    February 27, 2021

    I made this and it was awesome! I added a little cheese and it was great!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 27, 2021

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Chocha
    February 26, 2021

    Excellent! Perfect! I threw in asparagus and some shredded cheddar as well.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 26, 2021

      Yum! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  • Connie
    February 24, 2021

    Thanks Natasha for posting this. I’ve been fixing cauliflower like this for some time now and it’s always tasty and easy. Just the kind of recipe I like esp. on busy days!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 24, 2021

      Thank you for sharing that, Connie!

      Reply

  • Mary
    February 24, 2021

    Can I eliminate the butter and not substitute more oil? Trying to cut down on the fat content.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      February 24, 2021

      Hi Mary, yes that would still work great to make it lower fat.

      Reply

  • Sanya
    February 23, 2021

    Actually made this for lunch. Ate too much. It is very good.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 23, 2021

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Jan
    February 23, 2021

    Can I use this with broccoli as well, or is it only good for cauliflower?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 23, 2021

      Hello Jan, I haven’t really tested that to advise. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes!

      Reply

  • Tiana
    February 23, 2021

    Hello! I would love to try this! When I roast cauliflower I usually season it with lemon, parsley, and capers. So good, i strongly suggest you try it! Thank you for all of your amazing recipes!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 23, 2021

      Yum! That sounds amazing, Tiana! Thank you for sharing that with me!

      Reply

  • Vladimir
    February 23, 2021

    Wow! Thanks for the recipe. Please share more. Thanks

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 23, 2021

      You’re welcome! I hope you give this one a try!

      Reply

  • Andrea Thueson
    February 23, 2021

    This was such a rich twist on roasted cauliflower. The butter made it sooo good!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      February 23, 2021

      I’m so glad you loved it! Yeah the butter is optional but definitely nice!

      Reply

  • Beth
    February 23, 2021

    Yummy! This looks so delicious and I’m so glad I found this! I can’t wait to give this a try! So excited!

    Reply

  • Trang
    February 23, 2021

    My son has a hard time eating veggies but he doesn’t mind when they are roasted! I’m so glad I found this recipe since this is how he’ll eat his cauliflower!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      February 23, 2021

      Wonderful! I’m so glad your son loved the roasted cauliflower.

      Reply

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