Roasted cauliflower popcorn is a fun way to make your kids eat more veggies. This roasted cauliflower has a delicious coating of Parmesan, breadcrumbs. The flavors of garlic and smoked paprika flavors packed into it makes it a delicious and fun side dish to be included into your family dinner menu. My KIDS totally APPROVE it!

Why This Recipe Works?
- Looking for fun ways to make your kids eat more veggies? Try this delicious and healthy cauliflower popcorn. Your kids won’t mind to eat one of the most boring vegetable.
- A crowd pleaser that would be a great addition to the family dinner side dish menu list.
- It’s easy to make and requires basic ingredients.
- It’s coated with Parmesan bread crumbs which makes it every more delicious. I don’t have to hide, the crust is definitely more delicious. It’s all because of the flavors that go in and ofcourse PARMESAN! Cheese never fails!
- If you are looking for last minute side dish ideas for dinner, give this recipe a try! Thank me later!
- You’ll need basic ingredients; most of it I bet is already in your pantry.
- The most fun way to eat one of bland and boring vegetable, other than in form of mash (btw I love cauli mash too. Huge cauliflower fan here)
Ingredients Needed
Below photo shows the list of all ingredients needed for cauliflower popcorn recipe-
- One head cauliflower cut into small florets
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed pepper
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup plain flour
- ½ cup bread crumbs (can use panko bread crumbs)
- 2 eggs
How To Make Cauliflower Popcorn (with step-by-step pictorial)?
- Prep – Rinse cauliflower under tap water and dry it completely using kitchen towel. This step is optional; I always prefer to rinse every vegetable I pick up from farmer’s market, even the packed ones. Next break off the green stem from the head. Break head into small bite size florets.
- Dry Coating – To a large plate/bowl add flour, Parmesan, bread crumbs, garlic powder, salt and pepper, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning. Stir everything together until well combined. Keep aside.
- Wet Coating – Break 2 eggs into wide shallow bowl. Whisk it well.
- Coating Cauliflower Florets – Take a few florets at a time. First dip in egg, shake off excess and then place the florets in dry coating mix. PRO-TIP: To avoid caking on fingers, use two hands while working with wet and dry coating. Using the other hands pick some dry coating mix and sprinkle on the florets first and then roll the florets well in the mix. This will prevent the fingers from touching the wet part of the florets which when touched in dry ingredients will result in cakey fingers!
- Arrange – arrange florets coated in egg and dry coating onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Repeat this for all the florets left and arrange them in one single layer.
- Bake – Drizzle/spray olive oil over the cauliflower florets arranged on baking tray. Place the tray in pre-heated oven at 425 degree Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes or until it begins to turn brown and crispy. NOTE – depending on how big your florets are, baking time will vary. Keep an eye on them while baking.
- Serve – remove cauliflower popcorn from the oven. Allow it cool slightly so it will crisp up. Serve immediately as side dish or snack. I love it as snack with my sweet chili sauce.
How To Serve Cauliflower Popcorn?
It’s great as a snack with any dipping sauce or as it is.
You can even serve it as side dish for dinner. With steaks off the grill or baked chicken, these healthy popcorn are great.
Can I Make These in The Air Fryer?
Yes, you can. These turn out great in the air fryer. Arrange all florets in single layer and air fry it at 400 F until brown and turns crisp.
How To Store Cauliflower Popcorns?
If you have leftovers, store these popcorns in air tight containers in fridge for 2 days. Please note, refrigerated popcorns will loose it’s crispiness.
For longer storage, freeze these. First lay it out in single layer on a tray and freeze it for 2 hours. This will ensure they don’t clump together when frozen. Once frozen, transfer to zip lock bags or freezer containers and store for months.
When ready to eat, remove popcorn from freezer, crisp it up in oven for 10 minutes and serve.
Tips For Best Cauliflower Popcorn Recipe
- Make sure to slice/break cauliflower florets into even sizes so they cook evenly.
- Coating cauliflower florets in wet and then dry mix gives the florets delicious crunchy crust. You can completely skip the step of coating and directly roast florets with salt, pepper, garlic power and pinch of turmeric powder in the oven. It’s going to be simple roasted cauliflower which I wouldn’t call it popcorn!
- To avoid caking on fingers, use two hands while working with wet and dry coating. Using the other hands pick some dry coating mix and sprinkle on the florets first and then roll the florets well in the mix. This will prevent the fingers from touching the wet part of the florets which when touched in dry ingredients will result in cakey fingers!
- Depending on how big your florets are, baking time will vary. Keep an eye on them while baking. Smaller florets will need less time to roast.
- Feel free to alter the seasoning as per your choice. Instead of smoked paprika you can use cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin powder.
- Consider adding generous pinch of turmeric powder to give it that authentic yellowish tinge popcorn feel. I skipped it.
- Don’t over crowd baking tray. Arrange in single layer while baking to ensure even cooking/browning.
MORE CAULIFLOWER RECIPES TO TRY –
Low Carb Cheesy Cauliflower Bread sticks
Spicy Roasted Cauliflower Soup
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Roasted Cauliflower Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower cut into small florets
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed pepper
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup plain flour
- ½ cup bread crumbs can use panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Prep – Rinse cauliflower under tap water and dry it completely using kitchen towel. This step is optional; I always prefer to rinse every vegetable I pick up from farmer’s market, even the packed ones. Next break off the green stem from the head. Break head into small bite size florets.
- Dry Coating – To a large plate/bowl add flour, Parmesan, bread crumbs, garlic powder, salt and pepper, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning. Stir everything together until well combined. Keep aside.
- Wet Coating – Break 2 eggs into wide shallow bowl. Whisk it well.
- Coating Cauliflower Florets – Take a few florets at a time. First dip in egg, shake off excess and then place the florets in dry coating mix. PRO-TIP: To avoid caking on fingers, use two hands while working with wet and dry coating. Using the other hands pick some dry coating mix and sprinkle on the florets first and then roll the florets well in the mix. This will prevent the fingers from touching the wet part of the florets which when touched in dry ingredients will result in cakey fingers!
- Arrange – arrange florets coated in egg and dry coating onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Repeat this for all the florets left and arrange them in one single layer.
- Bake – Drizzle/spray olive oil over the cauliflower florets arranged on baking tray. Place the tray in pre-heated oven at 425 degree Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes or until it begins to turn brown and crispy. NOTE – depending on how big your florets are, baking time will vary. Keep an eye on them while baking.
- Serve – remove cauliflower popcorn from the oven. Allow it cool slightly so it will crisp up. Serve immediately as side dish or snack. I love it as snack with my sweet chili sauce.
Video
Notes
- Make sure to slice/break cauliflower florets into even sizes so they cook evenly.
- Coating cauliflower florets in wet and then dry mix gives the florets delicious crunchy crust. You can completely skip the step of coating and directly roast florets with salt, pepper, garlic power and pinch of turmeric powder in the oven. It’s going to be simple roasted cauliflower which I wouldn’t call it popcorn!
- To avoid caking on fingers, use two hands while working with wet and dry coating. Using the other hands pick some dry coating mix and sprinkle on the florets first and then roll the florets well in the mix. This will prevent the fingers from touching the wet part of the florets which when touched in dry ingredients will result in cakey fingers!
- Depending on how big your florets are, baking time will vary. Keep an eye on them while baking. Smaller florets will need less time to roast.
- Feel free to alter the seasoning as per your choice. Instead of smoked paprika you can use cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin powder.
- Consider adding generous pinch of turmeric powder to give it that authentic yellowish tinge popcorn feel. I skipped it.
- Don’t over crowd baking tray. Arrange in single layer while baking to ensure even cooking/browning.
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