Parmesan Cauliflower Bites – Just 5 Ingredients Recipe

Introduction

Parmesan Cauliflower Bites offer a deliciously crispy, flavorful twist on a healthy vegetable snack. With just five simple ingredients, this recipe is quick to prepare and perfect for a tasty appetizer or side dish.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cauliflower florets (washed and thoroughly dried; about 1 small head of cauliflower)
• 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees °F.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with melted butter, making sure all pieces are well coated. Use a silicone pastry brush if needed for even coverage.
3. Step 3: Combine the Parmesan cheese, paprika, and black pepper in a small bowl, then sprinkle this mixture over the butter-coated cauliflower.
4. Step 4: Cover the bowl with a tight-fitting lid and gently toss to evenly coat the florets with the cheese and seasoning.
5. Step 5: Arrange the coated cauliflower in a single layer on a baking sheet that has been sprayed to prevent sticking.
6. Step 6: Bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges of the cauliflower begin to crisp and turn golden.
7. Step 7: Serve hot directly from the oven and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, you can use an air fryer instead of the oven—just lightly spray the florets with olive oil before cooking.
• Try adding garlic powder or cayenne pepper to the Parmesan mixture for a different flavor kick.
• Ensure the cauliflower is thoroughly dried after washing to help it crisp better during cooking.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, spread the bites on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350 °F oven for 5–10 minutes to regain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cheese instead of Parmesan?

Yes, you can substitute Parmesan with Pecorino Romano or a sharp Asiago for a similar flavor profile. However, Parmesan provides the best crispiness and taste balance.

Can these be made in an air fryer?

Absolutely. Preheat the air fryer to 390 °F, lightly spray the cauliflower with olive oil, and cook for about 20 minutes. Turn the florets halfway if desired, but it’s not required for even cooking.

Parmesan Cauliflower Bites – Just 5 Ingredients Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 100 reviews

• Author: Elara
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: Serves 3-4 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Parmesan Cauliflower Bites are a simple, flavorful, and crispy vegetable snack made with just five ingredients. The cauliflower florets are coated in melted butter, Parmesan cheese, paprika, and black pepper, then oven-baked or air-fried to golden perfection. Perfect as a healthy appetizer, side dish, or snack, they offer a delicious way to enjoy cauliflower with minimal prep and maximum flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cauliflower

• 3 cups cauliflower florets (washed and thoroughly dried; about 1 small head of cauliflower)

Butter and Seasoning

• 2 Tablespoons butter (melted)
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) or your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
2. Butter Coating: Toss the cauliflower florets with melted butter in a large bowl, ensuring all pieces are coated evenly. Use a silicone pastry brush if needed for thorough coverage.
3. Seasoning: In the same bowl, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese, paprika, and black pepper over the butter-coated cauliflower.
4. Toss to Coat: Cover the bowl with a tight-fitting lid or use a large plate, then gently toss to evenly coat the florets with the seasoning mixture.
5. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Spread the coated cauliflower florets in a single layer on a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the edges of the cauliflower begin to crisp and turn golden brown.
7. Air Fryer Option: If using an air fryer, spray the crisper plate with olive oil and place the cauliflower in a single layer. Lightly spray the florets with olive oil to promote crispiness. Cook for about 20 minutes, turning halfway through if desired.
8. Serve: Remove from oven or air fryer and enjoy the bites hot as a tasty, healthy snack or side dish.

Notes

• Ensure cauliflower florets are thoroughly dried before coating to help the butter and cheese stick better.
• Use finely grated Parmesan for even coating and better crispiness.
• Air fryer method requires less oil and tends to be a little crisper than baking.
• Can be seasoned with additional herbs like garlic powder or Italian seasoning for variation.
• Best enjoyed immediately for maximum crispiness but can be reheated gently in the oven or air fryer.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Parmesan cauliflower bites, roasted cauliflower, baked cauliflower snack, vegetarian appetizer, low carb snack