Why is my roasted cauliflower mushy?

First, take care not to overcrowd your pan; if the cauliflower is packed in rim-to-rim, the moisture will not be able to escape as the florets cook , which will result in soft steamed cauliflower instead of roasted. Next, don't be overly generous with the oil — a light coating is what we're after here.

How do you keep cauliflower from getting mushy?

If you cut all the way through the floret, you're cutting through the cell structure of the curd — and when you cook it, that part will get mushy. Easier still: Place the larger florets on a baking sheet, sprinkle with a little olive oil and roast them . Michael Marks is the marketing manager for FreshPoint.

Why isn't my roasted cauliflower crispy?

Crowding the Baking Sheet Cauliflower has a very high water content, so it won't get crispy if you bake the florets crowded together. "Be sure to give each floret a bit of room so that the they have space for airflow. I'd also recommend baking them on a silicone baking mat," says Blay.

Why won t my roast veggies go crispy?

If the pan is packed too tightly, the vegetables will steam instead of caramelizing . The result is sad, limp, less-than-flavorful vegetables. The solution: Give your vegetables some room to breathe. Arrange the veggies in a single layer, keeping at least a quarter inch of space between them.

Does cauliflower need to be washed before roasting?

Caramelization is the key to giving the roasted cauliflower flavor. Give all the florets a thorough rinse in a colander . Shake them dry. Spread the florets out in an even layer on the baking sheet.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking?

This process – which should last 10-20 minutes - destroys several microbes and large parasites . As cauliflower is highly susceptible to microbial attacks, it should be washed once again. This time, boil some water and put the cauliflower florets in it. Keep for five minutes and remove from the hot water.

Should I soak cauliflower before cooking it?

Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs .

Why is roasted cauliflower good for you?

It's high in vitamins C and K, and is also a good source of folate, which supports cell growth and is essential during pregnancy . Cauliflower is fat-free and cholesterol-free. And it's low in sodium. A one-cup serving contains only 25 calories, 5 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of dietary fiber.

How to make cauliflower puree Gordon Ramsay?

Remove the cauliflower stalks and cut them into small pieces. Heat the butter and milk in a pan and stew the cauliflower in it until softened. Add the cream and return to a high temperature. Immediately strain and liquidise the cauliflower then season and pass through a fine chinois.

How do you make roasted vegetables not mushy?

Arrange in one layer. Once the vegetables are properly coated with oil, spread them out evenly across your baking sheet in one layer. If the vegetables are arranged too closely together or are on top of one another, they will steam, making them mushy rather than caramelized .

Why are my roasted vegetables always soggy?

Don't overcrowd the veggies or the hot air won't circulate and the veggies will steam instead of roast . About every 10 minutes or so, rotate the tray in the oven so all the vegetables are being evenly roasted.

How do you fix soggy vegetables in the oven?

Vegetables get mushy when cooked because the cell walls burst. There's no way to restore that cellular structure that by cooking more . You might be able to dry them out by cooking for longer but you will never restore their turgidity.

Why is my cauliflower not firm?

Other telltale signs of spoilage for cauliflower include mold, off-smells, slimy texture, or soft spots. Per Does it Go Bad?, cauliflower is supposed to be firm to the touch. Once you see soft spots or examples of slimy texture, the cauliflower should definitely be thrown out .

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2024)

Published: Jul 23, 2018 · Modified: May 27, 2023 by Anna 239 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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This Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower recipe makes crispy cauliflower bites with garlic Parmesan breading. They are baked in the oven instead of fried. It's bound to become your favorite vegetable side dish!

Cauliflower is my favorite vegetable. When I don't roast it, I make Mashed Cauliflower and my Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce.

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (1)

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients:
How to make roasted cauliflower?
How long does it take to roast cauliflower in the oven?
Helpful Tips!
Recipe FAQs:
More delicious side dish recipes:
Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Roasting cauliflower is my favorite way of preparing it. This underrated vegetable has so much to offer and roasting it definitely tops the list. It brings out its delicious flavor and paired with garlic, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs create an irresistible dish. To make crunchy breaded cauliflower bites, you can use one of two methods. The final result is irresistible crunchy cauliflower bites!

This Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower is the best idea for a side dish featuring this vegetable. Aside from turning it into a vegetarian, healthy Alfredo sauce, or mashed cauliflower of course.

Ingredients:

cauliflower - I used a medium size fresh cauliflower head. I do not recommend frozen cauliflower florets.
butter - Not only does it allow the breading to stick to the cauliflower, but helps the florets brown nicely.
garlic - Add flavor during roasting. I recommend using fresh garlic bulbs, but garlic powder works in a pinch.
bread crumbs - I used plain, but Italian style or even panko can be used. If you don't have any on hand, make my homemade bread crumbs. It's so easy!
Parmesan cheese - Adds toasted cheese flavor and crunch to the florets.

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2)

How to make roasted cauliflower?

First cut the cauliflower head into florets, roughly the same size. You can slice the big florets in half if needed.
You can either toss the cauliflower with olive oil or melted butter and then sprinkle with the breading mixture and stir to coat. I use this methodin my The Best Roasted Broccoli recipe. The other option, that helps prevent any breading from falling off the cauliflower pieces, is to dip each floret into melted butter and then into the breading mixture. I use this method in my Baked Artichoke Hearts recipe and it's perfect!

How long does it take to roast cauliflower in the oven?

The time of baking cauliflower in the oven depends on the size of the pieces. If you cut the cauliflower head into florets, bite-size pieces, you need to preheat the oven to 400 degrees F for 25 to 27 minutes, or until the breading is golden brown. The whole cauliflower will take longer and the timing again will depend on how big the cauliflower head is. For an average size head, it may take anywhere from 40 to 50 minutes. Cauliflower steaks take about 15 minutes of baking time.

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (3)

Helpful Tips!

Cut the cauliflower into same-size florets so they all bake evenly.
To save time, you can use a zip loc bag to coat the cauliflower. Place it in the bag, drizzle with butter, and shake to coat. Add breading, shake again, and place all on a baking sheet.
After baking, drizzle hot sauce over the florets for the hot wings flavor!

Recipe FAQs:

Can I use frozen cauliflower florets to make this?

I recommend using fresh cauliflower. Frozen florets need to be thawed and will still have excess moisture. This can cause the cauliflower to burn and not roast properly.

Can I make this dish in an air fryer?

Of course! Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F and roast the cauliflower for 15 minutes. An air fryer will usually cut the roasting time in half. Make sure to not overcrowd the basket or tray. The air needs to circulate around the food.

More delicious side dish recipes:

Garlic Parmesan Baked Eggplant Recipe
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots Recipe
Roasted Potatoes and Carrots

If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!