Easy Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

The BEST oven-roasted cauliflower and it’s so easy. The flavor and texture are perfect with just some simple seasoning, oil, and butter.

Roasted caulilfower florets on a baking sheet topped with fresh chopped greens.
Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
This baked cauliflower recipe is a go-to side dish like Corn on the Cob and Roasted Brussels Sprouts. It’s a dish you’ll make over and over.

This oven-roasted cauliflower is easy and excellent. The combination of butter and olive oil caramelizes the florets and they are baked to crisp-tender perfection. The best thing about this recipe is that you can customize the seasoning with what you have on hand with great results.

The Best Seasoning for Cauliflower
Cauliflower goes well with just about any seasoning. Even a simple salt and pepper seasoning works well. These are the seasonings we love most:

Salt – we love fine sea salt
Black Pepper – freshly cracked
Garlic Powder – or try garlic salt
Paprika – adds color and flavor (a little goes a long way)
Can I add cheese? we love to add cheese to cauliflower. Sprinkle cauliflower with 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese in the last 5 minutes of cooking for a parmesan roasted cauliflower.

Sliced cauliflower steaks roasted in butter and seasoning on a baking sheet.
How to Roast Cauliflower
This roasted cauliflower recipe is so easy to make and uses ingredients you most likely already have on hand

Ingredients
Servings: 6 as a side dish

1 medium cauliflower, sliced in small florets, or 1/2" thick steaks
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt, or to taste
¼ tsp ground paprika
¼ tsp ground black pepper, or to taste

Preheat the oven to 425˚F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
Slice the cauliflower into traditional florets or into flat cauliflower steaks.
Seasoning- Add the cauliflower to the center of your baking sheet, drizzle with oil and butter, and toss to coat. Season the cauliflower and toss again then spread into a single layer.
Bake cauliflower for 15-20 minutes, or until desired tenderness and golden at the edges. The baking time may vary depending on the size of your pieces.
Cauliflower florets on a baking sheet with a glass bowl of oil and another bowl of seasoning.
How to Slice Cauliflower into Steaks: Slice the cauliflower head into 4-5 wedges. Then, cut the wedges into even 1/2″ thick steaks and break them apart into bite-sized pieces. As they are roasted, the flat sides caramelize against the baking sheet adding a depth of flavor. It also results in evenly browned pieces.

How Long to Bake Cauliflower?
The bake time for roasted cauliflower will depend on the size, thickness, and desired doneness of your pieces.

Smaller pieces – you only need about 15-20 minutes.
Larger florets – bake 20-25 minutes. Until the cauliflower is caramelized and golden.

Air Fryer Instructions:
Cooking cauliflower in an air fryer is quick and easy. When air frying, I skip the butter and just use 2-3 Tbsp olive oil. Air fry cauliflower at 375˚ for 10-15 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes, until golden and tender.

Air Fryer cauliflower

Make-Ahead
Meal Prep – you can pre-chop your cauliflower a few days ahead, cover and refrigerate then add seasoning before roasting.
Refrigerate – once cooled to room temperature, you can cover and refrigerate leftover roasted cauliflower for up to 3 days.
Reheating – You can reheat the cauliflower on the stovetop, oven, or air fryer just until heated through.