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.
If you tried this Oven Roasted Cauliflower recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
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Recipe
Oven Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Big Cauliflower (Cut Into Medium Size Florets)
- ¼ Cup Oil
- 2 Tablespoons Sambar Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Red Chili Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Hing
- As Per Taste Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Cornflour
Instructions
- 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.
My Notes
- 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.
Cynthia says
I have definitely got to try this.
Uma says
delicious roasted cauliflower. Looks great. 🙂
Hima says
Yummy.... one word to describe the beauty of the dish....
Swati: Sugarcraft India says
AAh..this is yummy.. I love cauliflower.. !!
arundathi says
that looks amazing. what a great idea with the sambar powder! thanks!
Aparna says
This looks crisp and inviting. I liked the sambhar powder touch.:)
nidhi says
Roasted cauliflower looks very yummy...the pic is very inviting!
Vani says
Crispy & delicious with sambar powder! Love the fact that it's baked too!
SPillay says
Sounds good!! Will try it soon 😛
Sweatha says
Will definitely try it.The Simple Zucchini is a hit in my home
Miguel says
You ROCK!!!! Love it!!!!!!!!!! 😀
Cham says
Roasting desi version sounds like a healthy eating 😛 May be i got to try it!
Mansi says
I often make this when I'm tired of the gujju-style of cauliflower:) loved your south indian take on it Madhu!:)
Trupti says
cauliflower looks very delicious Madhu
Nithu says
Cauliflower looks so goos and inviting.
vanamala says
Hey nice appetizer
Nupur says
To know that your mother likes the cauliflower soup- that just made my day!
The roasted cauliflower looks lovely. I so agree with you- it can be made in a hundred different delicious ways. Sometimes I toss roasted cauliflower with olives and capers, cooked pasta and cheese for a light supper.
Anjali Damerla says
This is great, Madhu.
In my house, cauliflower is the least favorite. But I think that opinion might change with this recipe of yours 🙂
I will definitely try this.
BTW, your tomato rasam recipe ( with tomato paste) is like the all time hit in my house. Thanks.
sangeeth says
This is cool! would luv to try this...btw u asked me to add the eggless cookie recipe in your site...i donno where to add...can u help me?
Meera says
The cauliflower looks crispy and so scrumptious! I found a new way to cook my cauliflower..thanks! 🙂