Description
Crispy parmesan cauliflower bites deliver a perfect blend of golden crunch and cheesy goodness. Savory, light, and irresistibly delicious, you’ll find these morsels make an incredible appetizer or snack that disappears quickly from any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
main ingredients:
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free alternative)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
seasoning ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
cooking ingredients:
- olive oil spray or drizzle (for baking)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 400F (200C) and creating a non-stick surface with parchment paper or a light olive oil coating on the baking sheet.
- Establish three separate preparation zones: one for flour coating, another for egg wash, and a final station combining breadcrumbs with Parmesan, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Transform each cauliflower floret into a crispy morsel by methodically rolling through the flour, submerging in beaten eggs, and generously encasing with the seasoned Parmesan breadcrumb mixture, ensuring a thorough and even coverage.
- Strategically arrange the coated florets on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining a single layer without overcrowding to guarantee optimal crispiness.
- Enhance the potential for golden-brown perfection by lightly misting or drizzling olive oil across the cauliflower pieces.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the baking sheet midway to ensure uniform browning and achieving a delectable crisp exterior.
- Allow the cauliflower bites to rest momentarily after removing from the oven, then present alongside complementary dipping sauces like marinara, ranch, or spicy mayo for a delightful culinary experience.
Notes
- Achieve maximum crispiness by patting cauliflower florets completely dry before breading to remove excess moisture.
- Ensure even coating by using one hand for dry ingredients and another for wet ingredients, preventing clumpy breading.
- Experiment with alternative cheese options like pecorino or nutritional yeast for dairy-free or lower-fat variations.
- Space florets generously on baking sheet to prevent steaming and guarantee a crunchy exterior that stays crisp.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg