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    Home » Recipes » All Recipes

    Easy Cheesy Baked Vegan Cauliflower

    Published on October 16, 2018 by Kate, Updated on April 27, 2022 - 17 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    pinterest graphic for baked cauliflower

    This easy Cheesy Vegan Baked Cauliflower side dish might just become the main dish for your next meal.  Better than fries!  Seriously, kids and adults alike gobble this healthy cruciferous veggie like it's some kind of amazing!!  

    overhead shot of vegan baked cauliflower in a low wide black bowl

    Grab one of those gorgeous fluffy looking white heads of cauliflower at the grocery store and prepare an addictive cauliflower experience that easily rivals french fries and might even make you think of vegan nuggets!!

    Related recipe: Vegan Cheesy Rice and Cauliflower Casserole

    What You'll need to make this Vegan Baked Cauliflower Recipe:

    It's a short list, just five ingredients, plus the cauliflower.

    • Extra Virgin Olive oil - yup, a little of this goes a long way.
    • Seasoned Salt - I try to use a no-added-MSG version such as Johnny's.
    • Smoked Paprika - this is your secret smoky weapon - if you don't have this you must try it!  YUM!
    • Nutritional Yeast Flakes - this is the light 'cheesy' component.  It's not strong, but it's pretty undeniable.  SO good.
    • Garlic Powder - what would be do without garlic powder???

    overhead shot of olive oil, smoked paprika, seasoned salt, yeast flakes, and garlic in clear bowls

    Related recipe: Crispy Pan-Fried Cauliflower with Vegan Seasoned Breadcrumbs

    Steps to making amazing, mouth-watering, addicting baked cauliflower:

    First, you gotta chop it up!  Remove the outer leaves and chop the whole head into quarters.  Slice off a little of the inner core areas, and then cut the rest of the head into bite-sized florets.  Place in a large mixing bowl.

    overhead shot of cauliflower florets in a white mixing bowl

    Sprinkle yeast flakes, smoked paprika, seasoned salt, and garlic powder over the cauliflower florets and pour olive oil over all.

    seasonings and olive oil sprinkled on cauliflower florets in a white bowl

    Mix with a spoon until all the cauliflower pieces are well-coated with the seasonings.

    overhead shot of seasonings being stirred into cauliflower florets for baking

    Transfer coated cauliflower to a prepped baking tray with either pan spray, a brush of olive oil, or a layer of parchment paper.

    side closeup shot of seasoned cauliflower florets on a silver baking sheet

    Shake the tray to somewhat even distribute cauliflower florets and place in the oven at 450 for approx 20-25 minutes.  Stir once, half-way through baking period.

    overhead shot of of seasoned cauliflower florets spread out on a silver baking sheet

    When the cauliflower is fork-tender and slightly cartelized around the edges, you're set!!  Remove from the oven and enjoy as a side dish, a snack, or even the main dish if no one's watching!  This stuff is truly tasty and satisfying!

    Cooking tips:

    Set your tray of cauliflower on a mid-to-upper rack depending on your oven.  This ensures browning on the top of the cauliflower as well as the bottom.

    Baking at this temp ensures that you can get a little of that nice caramelized browning while still keeping a little of that crispy crunch that makes cauliflower so amazing.

    If you prefer softer cauliflower, decrease the baking temp to 425 and increase the baking time to 30-35 minutes!  Voila!

    side overhead shot of crispy baked cauliflower on a silver baking tray

    How to eat this yummy Baked Cauliflower:

    • Right off the tray - yes it's hot so please be careful!!
    • dipped in my all-time favorite Nacho Cheese Sauce
    • as a side dish for Tender Vegan Steaks or crispy Vegan Lentil Cakes
    • with some Vegan Spinach and Artichoke Pasta
    • shoved inside of soft tacos along with other veggies and beans
    • next to my favorite Smoky Veggie Mushroom-Oat Burger
    • as the veggie side dish with this tasty Vegan Brown Rice Loaf

    side closeup shot of large roasted cauliflower floret on a serving fork

    That's all for now friends!  I'm totally hungry now so need to hit the store for some more cauliflower!!!

    IF YOU LIKE THIS POST YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

    • Roasted Brussels sprouts with maple balsamic dressing
    • Vegan stuffed acorn squash
    • White bean butternut squash mash
    • Chickpea and cauliflower curry
    • Creamy fresh vegan tomato soup
    • Vegan nacho cheese
    • Best vegan egg salad

    If you’ve tried this Vegan Baked Cauliflower or any other recipe on my blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I LOVE hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food!!!

    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE??  PLEASE CLICK ON THE STARS TO GIVE IT A RATING BELOW!!

    overhead shot of oven roasted cauliflower in a black serving dish with neutral napkin

    Easy Cheesy Baked Vegan Cauliflower

    This easy baked cauliflower is a popular side or snack dish that is simply irresistible with a light smoky and 'cheesy' flavor!
    4.63 from 35 votes
    Print recipe Leave a comment
    Course: Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 53kcal
    Author: Kate

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 lb Cauliflower , (or approximately 1 Head)
    • 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast flakes
    • ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon Seasoned salt, or to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon Smoked paprika

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare baking sheet by spraying with pan spray or oil with pastry brush or cover with parchment paper.
    • Remove leaves and large part of core from Cauliflower head. Break into large bite sized pieces in a large mixing bowl.
    • Sprinkle salt and seasonings over cauliflower, pour olive oil over all. Toss well to coat.
    • Spread somewhat evenly on baking sheet (Just pour it all on there and shake the sheet a bit to even things out.)
    • Slide it into your preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until fork-tender, stirring once after 10 minutes.

    Notes

    Set your tray of cauliflower on a mid-to-upper rack depending on your oven.  This ensure browning on the top of the cauliflower as well as the bottom.
    Baking at this temp ensures that you can get a little of that nice carmelized browning while still keeping a little crispy-crunch that makes cauliflower so amazing. 
    If you like softer cauliflower, decrease the baking temp to 425 and increase the baking time to 30-35 minutes!  Voila!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Cup | Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 290mg | Potassium: 518mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 82mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 0.8mg

    More All Vegan Recipes

    • Vegan Parsnip Soup
    • Vegan Miso Sweet Potato Soup
    • Vegan Coquito
    • Vegan Apple Sticky Buns

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Marsha

      December 18, 2021 at 2:38 am

      5 stars
      Delicious! I’m going to try putting the nutritional yeast on after they come put of the oven next time to hopefully give it some added crisp. They are amazing in the original recipe, though 🙂

      Reply
      • Kate

        January 04, 2022 at 10:55 pm

        That's a good idea!!

        Reply
    2. Jana

      May 02, 2021 at 6:00 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness....yummy!! 'nough said. :).

      Reply
      • Kate

        May 03, 2021 at 4:02 pm

        Thank you so much!!

        Reply
    3. Beth

      April 26, 2021 at 5:27 pm

      I think there is something missing from this recipe. It did not come out cheese at all.

      Reply
      • Kate

        April 29, 2021 at 9:31 am

        Hi Beth! It's not meant to be cheesy in the sense that it has melted cheese, but the seasonings are meant to resemble a savory Parmesan roasted cauliflower flavor, which tastes cheesy to me!

        Reply
    4. RELM

      April 17, 2021 at 2:43 pm

      5 stars
      Made this once using a small cauliflower (without garlic as didn't have). I used a pan and fried at medium heat. This is amazing ate it and made it again right away!!

      Reply
      • Kate

        April 23, 2021 at 9:09 am

        Glad you enjoyed!! I usually try to make a large batch of cauliflower because it disappears quickly!

        Reply
    5. AnitaG

      February 08, 2021 at 7:36 pm

      5 stars
      The crack of cauliflower bites! I have to make sure I have someone else to eat these with me because I will eat them until I get sick. So good I can't stop! Is this wrong?

      Reply
    6. Sari

      November 11, 2020 at 10:50 pm

      Definitely need to double, maybe triple the recipe!!! So good!

      Reply
      • Kate

        November 12, 2020 at 6:19 pm

        I agree!!

        Reply
    7. Julie

      June 28, 2020 at 12:09 pm

      So good!! We had the pan almost gone before it had completely cooled off. Made a double batch the second time around!

      Reply
      • Rebecca

        June 28, 2020 at 8:23 pm

        Thanks so much for the comment! This stuff is sooo addictive!

        Reply
    8. Pat

      February 02, 2020 at 9:23 am

      Super super yummy! We ate it right off the pan before dinner!!

      Reply
      • Rebecca

        February 03, 2020 at 9:59 am

        Right?!!! I hear you. I always want to do the same thing! Thanks for your comment!

        Reply
    9. Patty

      November 26, 2019 at 9:44 am

      I had this at Marijke's house, it was so yummy!

      Reply
      • Rebecca

        November 27, 2019 at 11:23 am

        Awesome! So glad you liked it! Thanks for the comment!

        Reply

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