Cauliflower is our family favourite, so I try to make a variety of Indian cauliflower recipes. Roasted cauliflower was one thing I have wanted to try forever. Ever since I made this cauliflower soup, it has become a regular at our home. So we started buying cauliflower just to make that soup and never got to try the roasted cauliflower.
But finally decided to get to it and searched how to roast cauliflower and OMG! that's a lot of recipes throughout the net. So went through a couple of oven roasted cauliflower recipes and came up with a version of my own. Unlike the western recipes, I added some Indian spices, flavor to make this South Indian recipe.
Even though we are using the oven to make this, I don't prefer calling it baked cauliflower because I feel that calling it so doesn't justify how good the texture of this cauliflower is! Baked cauliflower sounds more like a baked pasta dish with cheese etc.
But if you are looking to make a crispy cauliflower recipe but without deep frying it in oil, then this oven roasted cauliflower is the way to go. The cornstarch, mixed with some oil and the roasted method of cooking does the trick and what you get is crispy cauliflower with a slightly charred effect (which I love!). Trust me when I say this, kids LOVE it! My sons can't have enough of this!
Roasting the cauliflower considerably reduces the quantity, I mean, even though you use a large cauliflower, cut it into small florets, which will look like a LOT when its raw, but when roasted it shrinks and looks very less in volume and is gone in no time. The kids gobble it like it is French fries. I'm not kidding! So these days I use two large heads to make this recipe.
I would suggest that you first try this recipe with one cauliflower because sometimes it might get soggy if you don't get the oil/cornstarch combination and baking time right. So first master it with a small cauliflower and then increase the proportions. I have used South Indian spices, but feel free to use herbs and spices of your choice. I also do a combination with tofu to make this roasted cauliflower and tofu curry.
If your kids love this oven roasted cauliflower then I'm pretty sure that they will devour this roasted chickpeas recipe too. Try it out.
Oven Roasted Cauliflower Recipe |
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Makes |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Mins | 30 Mins | 4 Servings |
| Author | Category | Method |
| Madhuram | Snacks/Appetizers | Baking |
- 1 Big Cauliflower (Cut Into Medium Size Florets)
- 1/4 Cup Oil
- 2 Tablespoons Sambar Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Red Chili Powder
- 1/4 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1/4 Teaspoon Hing
- As Per Taste Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Cornflour
- Cut the cauliflower into medium size florets and clean it by soaking in a mixture of warm water and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl combine all the other ingredients and whisk it.
- Now add the cauliflower florets little by little and toss it well to coat thoroughly with the mixture.
- Spread it evenly on a greased baking sheet.
- Preheat the oven at 425F for 15 minutes.
- Roast the cauliflower for 25 minutes, tossing it once around 15 minutes.
- To get a crispy texture, turn the oven switch to broil mode for 3-5 minutes, again tossing once in the middle. While doing this make sure that you keep the oven door open and keep your kids out of the kitchen.
- Using the same procedure you can experiment with different flavors like garam masala, curry powder or use a variety of herbs.
PS: The recipe has been updated & republished from the 2008 archives.
[…] Oven roasted Cauliflower Bites – Eggless Cooking […]
Great creative recipe!! Can u plz let me know if there is any water that needs to be going into the batter? Or just oil?
Just oil, no water.
What can we substitute the corn flour with?
Rice flour
It’s a nice recipe. I like it.
Thanks Virender.
Hi Madhu. great cooking ideas tempt me back to kitchen.Thanks for the cauliflower crispies. Love it.
Thank you very much Revathi ma.
Hi I want to try this but I don’t know what is Hing can you elaborate more thanks
Hi Neela, check this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asafoetida. You can very well omit it too. It’s a spice powder added for its flavor and digestion.
What is Sambar Powder and Hing?
And, where would I find it?
Sambar powder is a South Indian flavoring like curry powder which is a North Indian flavoring. It’s a mixture of cumin, black pepper, red chilies, turmeric and dal. Hing is also a spice used for flavoring and digestion. It’s derived from a bark of a tree. Both are available in Indian grocery stores. You could used curry powder or garam masala or Italian seasoning mix too.
[…] corn starch that makes the cauliflower crispy and slightly crunchy. Thanks to a great recipe from Madhuram’s Eggless Cooking. I followed Madhuram’s recipe but mixed up the spices a bit to suit my […]
Hey Madhu,
I have coked the cauliflower recipe many times. My family loves this recipe. It turns out quite crispy and tasty.
Thanks for the feedback Hansa.
[…] 3-5 minutes gives a nice charred and crispy texture. I usually prepare a South Indian version of roasted cauliflower using spices like Sambar powder and turmeric. Also check my recipe for baked tofu Indian style. […]
what is sambar powder, hing, and corn flour and where can i purchase these in the Westchester, NY area? Thank you.
All these ingredients are available in Indian grocery stores. If not you can use regular cayenne/paprika, garlic/onion powder, salt or one of the various varieties of seasoning available from Mrs.Dash.
Hi Madhuram, I tried the oven roasted cauliflower today and it was
great!! I altered it a little by tossing it in a seasoning of
mustard seeds and urad dhall at the end and i also added curry leaves and
baked it along with the cauliflower. I t was nice and crispy.Thanx for the lovely recipe.
You’re welcome VK.
[…] corn starch that makes the cauliflower crispy and slightly crunchy. Thanks to a great recipe from Madhuram’s Eggless Cooking. I followed Madhuram’s recipe but mixed up the spices a bit to suit my […]
Wthether we can try this with besan flour instead of corn flour?
Yes you could.
[…] this is another variety that I make often. The credit for this goes to Madhuram’s recipe that she blogged here. I usually make this when I need to make something quick and that which does not require baby […]
hi,
Can i use the same recipe to roast broccoli ?
let me know.
thanks
Viji, I have not tried roasting broccoli, but feel that the time would be even less. I googled for roasted garlic and most recipes specify 20-25 minutes at 425F/220C.
Dear Madhu,
I tried this recipe. used bajji flour instead of corn flour n added in some steamed potato cubes, onion slices and some diced garlic. mine tasted like aloo gobi n hubby dearest who usually shuns second helpings of veggies asked for seconds. thanks for ur easy n quick ideas.
That’s an interesting variation to the recipe Malar. I would love to try it your way. Thanks for letting me know.
Hi Madhu
First time commenting on your site . Your site looks awesome and so are your pictures.
I tried this for the last 2 parties and it was a super hit. Thanks much for a wonderful and easy recipe.
G
You’re welcome Gita.
Dear Madhu,
I made this for Thanksgiving party and must say it came out damn good. Everyone really enjoyed and I got tons of compliments. Thanks,
Renu, thanks for trying the recipe. It’s great to know that everybody liked it.
Dear Madhu,
My husband made this for me today since ive had Manchurain craving for sometime now… we’ve always deep fried it but this came out really really well…. the best part is i felt like a Queen.. cos m expecting now and my husband is givin to my Cravings !!! thnx thnx !!
Hi Viddu, thank you so much for the feedback. Congratulations and take good care of yourself.
I love roasting cauliflower and broccoli. The crunch is so amazing. Thanks for sharing this version, I love all the spice!
I’ve always wanted to try roasting broccoli too. Should try it one of these days.
Madhuram, I made this today and we loved it. I did not use sambhar powder though. I must have used a bit too much oil as it turned soft and not crispy. The next time I will keep that in mind. But thanks for the wonderful recipe.
Thanks RC. About a tablespoonful of oil should be fine.
Hi Madhuram,
I like your eggless recipes. I had actually made Gobi Manchurian by baking before, one of my own Brilliant ideas 😉 , hated deep fry. Always made Wet Manchurian since it was never crunchy. I’ll try broiling as you suggest, then I can even try dry manchurian!
Hey Madhu..,healthy way of having cauliflower. I am gonna try this out today.
I prepared cauliflower yesterday with just chilli powder and salt and while preparing it i was thinking how it would taste with sambar powder. Yours looks so yum…i guess i can try it without any hesitation 🙂