Tender Roasted Cauliflower Florets (Printable)

Tender cauliflower florets tossed with olive oil and spices, roasted until golden and caramelized.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets (approx. 28 oz)

→ Oils

02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish (optional)

08 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
09 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice

# How-To:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Spread the cauliflower in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Roast for 25 minutes, flipping the florets halfway through, until golden brown and tender.
05 - Remove from the oven. If desired, drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Hacks:

01 -
  • The edges get impossibly crispy while the inside stays tender, like the best of both textures happening at once.
  • It tastes fancy enough to serve at dinner but takes almost no effort, which feels like getting away with something.
  • The spices are gentle enough that even people hesitant about cauliflower usually come back for seconds.
02 -
  • Don't skip the flip halfway through, or one side stays pale while the other burns, which I discovered the hard way the first few times.
  • Bigger florets take longer than small ones, so try to cut them roughly the same size for even cooking.
  • The cauliflower continues crisping up slightly after it comes out of the oven, so take it out when it's just shy of where you think you want it.
03 -
  • Use parchment paper on your baking sheet to avoid the flour-dusting cleanup and because the cauliflower releases better from it.
  • Don't crowd the pan—give each floret space to develop those gorgeous golden edges rather than steaming.
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