Description
Parmesan Cauliflower Bites are a deliciously healthy snack made by coating bite-sized cauliflower florets in a flavorful mixture of Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and spices, then baked until golden and crispy. Perfect as a guilt-free appetizer or a tasty side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
Coating Mix
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other
- 2 large eggs
- Olive oil spray or 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Cauliflower: Wash the cauliflower under cold water thoroughly to remove any dirt or impurities, then cut it into bite-sized florets about 1 to 1.5 inches in size for even cooking.
- Whisk Eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the two large eggs until they are well combined and smooth.
- Mix Coating: In another bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well until the mixture is evenly blended.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and allow it to fully preheat for optimal baking results.
- Coat Florets With Egg: Dip each cauliflower floret into the whisked eggs, allowing any excess to drip off to avoid soggy coating.
- Coat Florets With Breadcrumb Mixture: Place the egg-coated florets into the breadcrumb mixture and toss or roll them until they are fully and evenly coated with the mixture.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Lay the coated florets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer, spacing them evenly so they bake crisply.
- Add Olive Oil: Drizzle the coated cauliflower with olive oil or spray lightly with olive oil spray to help achieve a golden and crispy exterior.
- Bake Cauliflower: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Halfway through baking, flip the florets to ensure even cooking and browning on all sides.
- Monitor Crispiness: During the last few minutes, watch carefully until the bites turn golden brown and crispy for the best texture.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cauliflower bites cool for a couple of minutes on the tray to firm up.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the bites to a serving platter, garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and serve with marinara sauce or creamy ranch dip for added flavor.
Notes
- Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crunchiness.
- Florets should be uniform in size for even cooking.
- Flipping halfway through baking ensures crispiness on all sides.
- Olive oil spray helps control oil amount while baking.
- Serve immediately for the best texture; leftovers may be reheated in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
