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. 
First time trying this recipe ending up following the directions except using cajun seasoning -(omitted the paprika since it should have been in the cajun seasoning) turned out excellent…will make again thank you
Glad you loved it, Shelly! Thanks for sharing.
I accidentally put in cayenne pepper instead of paprika! It’s was a bit spicy but great! Next time I will do the paprika with a smidge of cayenne pepper.
Good to know that you liked the results!
Love your recipes. I have a whole folder filled with them. This recipe sounds delicious but could I fry instead of baking them?
Hi Raquel! Thank you. So glad you love my recipes. This recipe is specifically written for roasting but I think it’s possible with some adjustments. Let us know how they turn out.
Absolutely delicious! Hubby raved about it. Said best thing in a long time. I had a large cauliflower so doubled seasinings but not oil & butter. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!!!
Aaawm that is so heart warming! Thank you for sharing that with us.
Wow so easy and flavorful. I had to stop picking on it as I made it ahead of time for an Indian dish I’m making tomorrow. I almost won’t have enough to put in the meal lol. Made it exactly as written, just had to bake an extra 10 minutes as I cut the pieces bigger.
So glad to hear you loved this recipe. Thank you for sharing, Valerie.
I use this recipe for all my roasted vegetables. Delicious every time.
Hi Judy! I’m glad to hear that. Thank you for the review.
Excellent. Everyone in my family loves it including the company. Easy to make and so delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, S!
This was so good!!!! My boys will be clamoring for me to make this again!
Nice to know that they loved this recipe!
This recipe looks delicious! I make this also with turmeric instead of paprika and it’s delicious and healthy as well!
Yum! Sounds delish! 🙂
Amazing recipe! Super simple too! Best cauliflower recipe yet. Making it tonight as a side with pasta.
Sounds like a plan, glad you love this!
Dee-lish!! I now love cauliflower. I’ve tried recipes in the past, but didn’t care for them. Thank you.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Anna!
My daughter visiting with her 2 kids from San Diego made this dish. My husband is not a big fan of cauliflower. We all loved it.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Mary! I’m so happy you all enjoyed that!
I will be making this recipe for a dinner steak dinner, however I would like to pour Bernaise sauce over the cauliflowers. Should each person pour its own bernaise sauce?
Thank you
Hi Maria! I don’t think there is a right/wrong way to do it, I believe it’s just preference. As a guest, I would say I’d like to add my own. 🙂
Just made them and they are really good.
I tossed all ingredients in a bag and coated them. As it was no „liquid“ enough I doubled te recipe. Tastes delicious but a bit too much grease so people: no experimenting, do it as Natasha does and it will be perfect !!!
Definitely recommend to try !
Tried to post a picture but cant find where…
Hi Mona, lovely to hear that! You cannot post photos here but feel free to share some photos of your creation on our Facebook page or group!
I made this easy, peasy recipe & it was delicious! I made it to toss in with rigatoni with a little butter & oil & a fresh tomato ~ so good!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I have cauliflower roasting in the oven. Excited to try it, Now a friend sent me a recipe for cauliflower salad instead of potato salad. I want to try using the roasted cauliflower for this instead of boiled cauliflower. Any reason it wouldn’t work?
Hi Anita, I have not tested that to advise but I think it is going to be a great experiment! If you try that, please share with us how it goes.
Can these be frozen and reheated in air fryer or will they get mushy?
Thank you
Hi Yvonne, we like them best fresh!
I made the roasted cauliflower recipe tonight and it was absolutely delicious. I like that it cooks in 20 minutes. Thanks for creating it.
Hi Juanita! So glad you enjoy this recipe. Thank you for the review.
Great Recipe! Very easy, with ingredients I have at home. Used vegan margarine instead of butter and it came out great. Will try with brocolli or brussel sprouts.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Susan!
I forgot to add my 5 stars in my last comment.
Here you go !!