While most people boil, steam, or even microwave cauliflower to serve alongside their main meal, there are several other ways to prepare veggies if you’re looking for something different. So, with this in mind, can you roast cauliflower?
To roast cauliflower, season your cauliflower with salt, pepper, oil, and any other herbs and spices that take your fancy before roasting it in the oven until it’s nice and crispy
How to Roast Cauliflower
You’ll be pleased to hear that roasting cauliflower is easy, and there’s not much finesse required in the kitchen! When you’re sure that you’ve got a fresh cauliflower to work with, you will need to follow these steps to ensure you roast it successfully:
- Preheat Oven
Switch on your oven and preheat it to 450F or 230C. - Prepare Cauliflower
Rinse your cauliflower under the cold tap and pat it dry. Then, slice the florets into the size that you require. You don’t want to chop them too finely, or they will burn. You’ll also want them to be the same size. - Season
Place your chopped cauliflower in a sieve and season well with olive oil, salt, and pepper, shaking it well to ensure each floret is covered. You can also add other herbs and spices like garlic and chilli at this stage to make it even more flavoursome. - Place on a Baking Tray
Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper and spread your seasoned cauliflower out on top of the tray, ensuring it’s well spaced. - Roast
Add your tray of cauliflower to the centre of the oven and roast until it’s golden and tender. This should take around eighteen minutes. - Serve and Enjoy
Your delicious roasted cauliflower will now be ready to serve and enjoy alongside your chosen accompaniments.
If you overcrowd the tray with cauliflower florets, they will become mushy as there will be no space for the heat to circulate. If you use too little fat, you’ll also find the cauliflower does not crisp up properly. 
How to Roast Cauliflower Successfully
If you want things to go well when roasting cauliflower, give these 3 quick tips a read first:
- Season Well – You don’t need us to tell you that cauliflower can taste a little bland if you don’t season it well! You can use many things to bring your roasted cauliflower to life, but a simple combination of chilli and garlic should do the trick alongside the salt, pepper, and oil mix. You could also season it with spices such as paprika and cayenne pepper.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Tray – When spacing out your cauliflower on the baking tray, ensure it’s well-spaced and not overcrowded. If your cauliflower roasts unevenly, it will cause it to go soggy and mushy as opposed to crispy, which we’re sure you would hope to avoid.
- Use Low-Fat Cooking Spray – To prevent your roasted cauliflower from being too unhealthy, opt for a low-fat cooking spray instead of olive oil or full-fat vegetable-based cooking oil. This will keep the calories low and ensure you can enjoy roasted cauliflower without the associated guilt.
Why You Should Roast Cauliflower?
We’re huge fans of roasted cauliflower for the following reasons:
Amazing Taste
We genuinely can’t think of a better way to prepare cauliflower than to roast it. Crunchy cauliflower that has been well seasoned is a joy to behold, and you will find that your family adore it!
When you get a few charred corners on any vegetable, you’ll find it tastes better than any other cooking method. It’s why we love roasting anything from turnips to celery!
Quick to Prep
Nothing is taxing about preparing roasted cauliflower, so providing you follow the simple steps introduced above, you should be able to prepare it with very little hassle.
Why You Shouldn’t Roast Cauliflower?
Not everyone will love roasted cauliflower, however, for the following reasons:
Not the Healthiest
The healthiest way to prepare cauliflower is to steam or boil it, although this doesn’t taste great. Roasting cauliflower in oil is certainly not the healthiest way to enjoy it, even though it tastes amazing.
Easy to Burn
If you cook your cauliflower for too long in the oven, it will start to burn. Make sure you stick to the cooking instructions above to enjoy roasted cauliflower that is golden brown instead of black.
Is It Safe to Roast Cauliflower?
Yes, roasting cauliflower is perfectly safe.
Just make sure you roast a cauliflower that is in good condition (it should be firm and free from discolouration), and you should have absolutely no issues with roasting it. But this is the same with any cauliflower cooking method.
Does Cauliflower Roast Well?
We have found that roasting cauliflower is an excellent way of cooking this healthy veggie. You will find that the seasoning creates unique and delicious flavours, while the crunchy texture is simply to die for.
Following the steps introduced above, you should end up with a delicious serving of roasted cauliflower that your family simply can’t get enough of.
Roasting Cauliflower FAQs
If you still have questions about roasting cauliflower, then these answered questions might help. If not, feel free to drop a comment at the bottom of the page:
No, you do not need to blanch or boil cauliflower before you roast it. This can lead to the cauliflower becoming mushy and overcooked. It can also prevent seasoning, oil and flavourings from coating the cauliflower properly.
Yes, cauliflower can be roasted whole in the oven. It will take anywhere from 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on the size of the cauliflower and the temperature of the oven.
Ross is a freelance writer with a passion for delicious food and drinks, having worked in the hospitality industry in the past. He began working with Let’s Foodie when it first launched to provide information on how to reheat, freeze and microwave different foods.
