Crunchy Roasted Cauliflower and Hummus [+Video]

Looking for a new way to enjoy cauliflower? Look no further! This roasted cauliflower recipe is sure to become your new favorite. With the perfect balance of savory spices and a crispy texture, it’s a must-try for any cauliflower lover. We love to serve it over our homemade hummus with a little pesto and aleppo pepper on top.

Ingredients for Crispy Roasted Cauliflower and Hummus

One thing I love about vegetables is that you can really jazz them up or keep them really simple with just a little butter and salt and pepper. With this cauliflower dish, we jazz them up a little but it’s still so simple. Here is what you will need:

• Olive Oil: Helps roast the cauliflower and make it crispy.
• Cauliflower: We love the look of multicolored cauliflower, but you could use just white cauliflower or any cauliflower you enjoy.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a crust on the cauliflower as it roasts.
• Seasonings: Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Kosher Salt and Onion Powder
• Hummus: If you don’t want to take the time to make homemade hummus, then use your favorite store-bought brand.
• Pesto: Again, you can’t beat the flavor and freshness of homemade pesto sauce, but you could save time by using store-bought pesto. The Kirkland brand at Costco is actually pretty good.
• Aleppo Pepper: A moderately spicy pepper that is deep red and adds such a great flavor
• Flaked Sea Salt: Adds just a pop of flavor to round out the flavors in this tasty vegetable dish.

The measurements of each ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post so keep scrolling for all the details.

How to Make Crispy Roasted Cauliflower

Let me take you through the few simple steps to make this easy vegetable side dish:

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 400° F and pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil on a cookie sheet. When the oven comes to temperature, put the cookie sheet in the oven to heat up the oil.
2. Chop: While the oil is heating up in the oven, chop one head of cauliflower and then toss it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
   • NOTE: You want the cauliflower florets to be bite-size and roughly the same size.
3. Mix: Add all seasonings together in a small bowl and then sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the cauliflower.
4. Toss: Add another 2 tablespoons of olive oil and toss everything together. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and spread the cauliflower evenly all over the cookie sheet and stir everything together.
5. Roast: Place the cauliflower in oven and roast for 15 minutes, then pull the sheet pan out and flip all the pieces over. Then roast in the oven for another 15 minutes.
6. Serve: Add some hummus to a serving bowl and then add the roasted cauliflower on the top. Drizzle with pesto sauce and a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper and flaked sea salt. Serve!

These instructions are also available in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Watch How This Crispy Cauliflower and Hummus is Made…

Can I Cook the Cauliflower in the Air Fryer?

Yes, air fryer roasted cauliflower is phenomenal! Follow the recipe as written for coating and seasoning the cauliflower. Heat the air fryer to 390 degrees F and air fry for 13-15 minutes. You’ll need to air fry the cauliflower in batches so that it’s not overcrowded.

Health Benefits of Cauliflower

Cauliflower is high in fiber, vitamins C and K. It is also a good source of antioxidants. We often use cauliflower in lieu of rice to reduce carbohydrates and calories like in our cilantro lime cauliflower rice. It’s such a versatile and healthy vegetable!

Tips for Perfectly Roasted Cauliflower

Here are a few tips to get that perfectly crispy roasted cauliflower:

• Chop the head of cauliflower into similar sized florets so that they roasted evenly.
• Make sure the cauliflower is in a single layer on the baking sheet when you roast it.
• The cornstarch is key to getting that crispy crunchy coating on the cauliflower.
• Heating the oil on the cookie sheet before adding the cauliflower helps the cauliflower get a quick hot sear.

Variations of Seasonings

Cauliflower is the perfect vessel for flavoring in all sorts of ways, so if you want to try other flavor profiles, here are some ideas:

• Garlic: add minced garlic or a teaspoon of garlic powder
• Curry: add a teaspoon or two of curry powder
• Lemon Parmesan: add the lemon juice and zest from 1 lemon and a half cup of shredded parmesan cheese
• Cajun Seasoning: add a teaspoon of your favorite cajun seasoning blend
• Italian Seasoning: add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning
• Mexican: add a half teaspoon of chili powder and a half teaspoon of cumin before roasting and sprinkle with cilantro and squeeze of lime juice after it roasts
• Ranch: add a tablespoon (or half a packet) of ranch seasoning

What to Serve with Roasted Cauliflower and Hummus

This is the perfect side dish to go with baked salmon or grilled chicken. Or if you want to keep your meal meatless, whip up a bright fresh salad and knock out all your servings of vegetables in one meal!

Storing and Reheating

Cauliflower leftovers should be stored in an airtight container and will lasts up for to 4 days.

I will microwave it to reheat it quickly. If I have the time, I’ll reheat it on the stove top to get it all crispy again.

Transform ordinary cauliflower into a flavorful dish with this easy roasted cauliflower recipe. Perfect as a side dish or a snack, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

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