Description
Crispy oven roasted panko parmesan cauliflower brings golden, crunchy textures to weeknight dinners with minimal effort. Mediterranean-inspired seasonings and simple preparation make this dish a delightful side you’ll want to serve again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) cauliflower florets (about 6–8 cups)
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup olive oil, plus additional for drizzling
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp oregano or dry Italian seasoning (optional)
- 2 medium green onions, thinly sliced for garnishing
- Additional grated parmesan cheese for garnishing
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 450°F and spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray, creating an optimal roasting surface.
- Seasoning Blend: Combine garlic, onion powder, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, dried herbs, Parmesan cheese, and panko breadcrumbs into a robust flavor mixture.
- Floret Coating: Break cauliflower into uniform pieces, drizzle with olive oil, and thoroughly coat with the prepared seasoning blend, ensuring complete coverage and maximum flavor infusion.
- Strategic Placement: Arrange seasoned cauliflower on the baking sheet in a single, spacious layer, allowing each piece room to crisp and caramelize. Lightly drizzle additional olive oil for enhanced golden browning.
- Initial Roasting: Bake for 30 minutes, rotating the pan midway to promote even caramelization and develop golden, crispy edges.
- Final Intensity: Increase oven temperature to 500°F and roast for an additional 3-4 minutes, creating an irresistibly crunchy exterior while maintaining a tender interior.
- Finishing Touch: Remove from oven when cauliflower reaches a deep golden-brown color. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, green onions, and a bright squeeze of fresh lemon juice to elevate the dish’s flavor profile.
Notes
- Maximize Flavor Coating: Thoroughly massage oil and seasonings into every cauliflower floret to ensure complete, even flavor distribution.
- Prevent Overcrowding: Spread florets in a single layer with space between each piece to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent steaming.
- Temperature Control: Gradual heat progression from 450°F to 500°F creates the perfect crispy exterior and tender interior texture.
- Final Touch Enhancement: Adding fresh Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon juice at the end elevates the roasted cauliflower’s overall taste and brightness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 34 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 186
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 366 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg