Cauliflower is our family favourite, so I try to make a variety of Indian cauliflower recipes. Roasted cauliflower was one thing I have wanted to try forever. Ever since I made this cauliflower soup, it has become a regular at our home. So we started buying cauliflower just to make that soup and never got to try the roasted cauliflower.
But finally decided to get to it and searched how to roast cauliflower and OMG! that's a lot of recipes throughout the net. So went through a couple of oven roasted cauliflower recipes and came up with a version of my own. Unlike the western recipes, I added some Indian spices, flavor to make this South Indian recipe.
Even though we are using the oven to make this, I don't prefer calling it baked cauliflower because I feel that calling it so doesn't justify how good the texture of this cauliflower is! Baked cauliflower sounds more like a baked pasta dish with cheese etc.
But if you are looking to make a crispy cauliflower recipe but without deep frying it in oil, then this oven roasted cauliflower is the way to go. The cornstarch, mixed with some oil and the roasted method of cooking does the trick and what you get is crispy cauliflower with a slightly charred effect (which I love!). Trust me when I say this, kids LOVE it! My sons can't have enough of this!
Roasting the cauliflower considerably reduces the quantity, I mean, even though you use a large cauliflower, cut it into small florets, which will look like a LOT when its raw, but when roasted it shrinks and looks very less in volume and is gone in no time. The kids gobble it like it is French fries. I'm not kidding! So these days I use two large heads to make this recipe.
I would suggest that you first try this recipe with one cauliflower because sometimes it might get soggy if you don't get the oil/cornstarch combination and baking time right. So first master it with a small cauliflower and then increase the proportions. I have used South Indian spices, but feel free to use herbs and spices of your choice. I also do a combination with tofu to make this roasted cauliflower and tofu curry.
If your kids love this oven roasted cauliflower then I'm pretty sure that they will devour this roasted chickpeas recipe too. Try it out.
Recipe
Oven Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Big Cauliflower (Cut Into Medium Size Florets)
- ¼ Cup Oil
- 2 Tablespoons Sambar Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Red Chili Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Hing
- As Per Taste Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Cornflour
Instructions
- Cut the cauliflower into medium size florets and clean it by soaking in a mixture of warm water and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl combine all the other ingredients and whisk it.
- Now add the cauliflower florets little by little and toss it well to coat thoroughly with the mixture.
- Spread it evenly on a greased baking sheet.
- Preheat the oven at 425F for 15 minutes.
- Roast the cauliflower for 25 minutes, tossing it once around 15 minutes.
- To get a crispy texture, turn the oven switch to broil mode for 3-5 minutes, again tossing once in the middle. While doing this make sure that you keep the oven door open and keep your kids out of the kitchen.
My Notes
- Using the same procedure you can experiment with different flavors like garam masala, curry powder or use a variety of herbs.
PS: The recipe has been updated & republished from the 2008 archives.
✉ Want To Save This Recipe?
Enter your email and we will send you a direct link to this post!
We will also add you to our email list. Unsubscribe at any time.
Jayasree says
Great creative recipe!! Can u plz let me know if there is any water that needs to be going into the batter? Or just oil?
Madhuram says
Just oil, no water.
Deepti says
What can we substitute the corn flour with?
Madhuram says
Rice flour
virender says
It's a nice recipe. I like it.
Madhuram says
Thanks Virender.
Revathi Narasimhan says
Hi Madhu. great cooking ideas tempt me back to kitchen.Thanks for the cauliflower crispies. Love it.
Madhuram says
Thank you very much Revathi ma.
Neela says
Hi I want to try this but I don't know what is Hing can you elaborate more thanks
Madhuram says
Hi Neela, check this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asafoetida. You can very well omit it too. It's a spice powder added for its flavor and digestion.
Jan says
What is Sambar Powder and Hing?
And, where would I find it?
Madhuram says
Sambar powder is a South Indian flavoring like curry powder which is a North Indian flavoring. It's a mixture of cumin, black pepper, red chilies, turmeric and dal. Hing is also a spice used for flavoring and digestion. It's derived from a bark of a tree. Both are available in Indian grocery stores. You could used curry powder or garam masala or Italian seasoning mix too.
Hansa Vaya says
Hey Madhu,
I have coked the cauliflower recipe many times. My family loves this recipe. It turns out quite crispy and tasty.
Madhuram says
Thanks for the feedback Hansa.
Vikki says
what is sambar powder, hing, and corn flour and where can i purchase these in the Westchester, NY area? Thank you.
Madhuram says
All these ingredients are available in Indian grocery stores. If not you can use regular cayenne/paprika, garlic/onion powder, salt or one of the various varieties of seasoning available from Mrs.Dash.
VK says
Hi Madhuram, I tried the oven roasted cauliflower today and it was
great!! I altered it a little by tossing it in a seasoning of
mustard seeds and urad dhall at the end and i also added curry leaves and
baked it along with the cauliflower. I t was nice and crispy.Thanx for the lovely recipe.
Madhuram says
You're welcome VK.
vvv says
Wthether we can try this with besan flour instead of corn flour?
Madhuram says
Yes you could.
viji says
hi,
Can i use the same recipe to roast broccoli ?
let me know.
thanks
Viji, I have not tried roasting broccoli, but feel that the time would be even less. I googled for roasted garlic and most recipes specify 20-25 minutes at 425F/220C.
MALAR says
Dear Madhu,
I tried this recipe. used bajji flour instead of corn flour n added in some steamed potato cubes, onion slices and some diced garlic. mine tasted like aloo gobi n hubby dearest who usually shuns second helpings of veggies asked for seconds. thanks for ur easy n quick ideas.
That's an interesting variation to the recipe Malar. I would love to try it your way. Thanks for letting me know.
Gita says
Hi Madhu
First time commenting on your site . Your site looks awesome and so are your pictures.
I tried this for the last 2 parties and it was a super hit. Thanks much for a wonderful and easy recipe.
G
You're welcome Gita.
renu says
Dear Madhu,
I made this for Thanksgiving party and must say it came out damn good. Everyone really enjoyed and I got tons of compliments. Thanks,
Renu, thanks for trying the recipe. It's great to know that everybody liked it.
Vidduiyer says
Dear Madhu,
My husband made this for me today since ive had Manchurain craving for sometime now... we've always deep fried it but this came out really really well.... the best part is i felt like a Queen.. cos m expecting now and my husband is givin to my Cravings !!! thnx thnx !!
Hi Viddu, thank you so much for the feedback. Congratulations and take good care of yourself.
Hayley says
I love roasting cauliflower and broccoli. The crunch is so amazing. Thanks for sharing this version, I love all the spice!
I've always wanted to try roasting broccoli too. Should try it one of these days.
RedChillies says
Madhuram, I made this today and we loved it. I did not use sambhar powder though. I must have used a bit too much oil as it turned soft and not crispy. The next time I will keep that in mind. But thanks for the wonderful recipe.
Thanks RC. About a tablespoonful of oil should be fine.
Prasanna says
Hi Madhuram,
I like your eggless recipes. I had actually made Gobi Manchurian by baking before, one of my own Brilliant ideas 😉 , hated deep fry. Always made Wet Manchurian since it was never crunchy. I'll try broiling as you suggest, then I can even try dry manchurian!
Shobana says
Hey Madhu..,healthy way of having cauliflower. I am gonna try this out today.
Vidya says
I prepared cauliflower yesterday with just chilli powder and salt and while preparing it i was thinking how it would taste with sambar powder. Yours looks so yum...i guess i can try it without any hesitation 🙂
Priya says
Mann this look super duper delicious. Mouth watering, especially now that I am expecting 😉
That should explain why posting rate of recipes have slowed down a little.
Bharti says
That look so yummy! I always end up making aloo gobhi. Wil be giving this a try the next time I get cauliflower.
DivyA Vikram says
I rarely make cauliflower fry..Roasting in oven sounds a healthier option..
Roma says
hey! Nice and really new method of making cauliflower. The roasted flavor must be so different than the one we are used to having. Good one, Madhu.
Madhuram says
Meera, welcome to my blog. After cooking this way, I really don't want to cook cauliflower on stove top anymore.
Sangeeth, thank you. I'll give you the link.
Anjali, I can bet that it will be a favorite in your house. It's more like gobi 65 without all the deep frying.
I'm glad that you liked the rasam. I'll pass it on to my mother.
Nupur, the roasted cauliflower salad sounds interesting too.
Vanamala, Trupthi, Nithu, Mansi, Cham, Vidhya, Miguel thanks a lot.
Sweatha welcome to my blog. I'm glad that you tried the zucchini koottu too.
Spillay, definitely try it. You are gonna love it.
Vani, Nidhi, Aparna, Arundathi, Swati, Uma, Hima thank you very much. Rasam powder can also be added instead of sambar powder.
Cynthia, yes try it and let me know if you liked it. These days I'm not cooking cauliflower on stove top. You can also add Rasam powder.
Cynthia says
I have definitely got to try this.
Uma says
delicious roasted cauliflower. Looks great. 🙂
Hima says
Yummy.... one word to describe the beauty of the dish....
Swati: Sugarcraft India says
AAh..this is yummy.. I love cauliflower.. !!
arundathi says
that looks amazing. what a great idea with the sambar powder! thanks!
Aparna says
This looks crisp and inviting. I liked the sambhar powder touch.:)
nidhi says
Roasted cauliflower looks very yummy...the pic is very inviting!
Vani says
Crispy & delicious with sambar powder! Love the fact that it's baked too!
SPillay says
Sounds good!! Will try it soon 😛
Sweatha says
Will definitely try it.The Simple Zucchini is a hit in my home
Miguel says
You ROCK!!!! Love it!!!!!!!!!! 😀
Cham says
Roasting desi version sounds like a healthy eating 😛 May be i got to try it!
Mansi says
I often make this when I'm tired of the gujju-style of cauliflower:) loved your south indian take on it Madhu!:)
Trupti says
cauliflower looks very delicious Madhu
Nithu says
Cauliflower looks so goos and inviting.
vanamala says
Hey nice appetizer
Nupur says
To know that your mother likes the cauliflower soup- that just made my day!
The roasted cauliflower looks lovely. I so agree with you- it can be made in a hundred different delicious ways. Sometimes I toss roasted cauliflower with olives and capers, cooked pasta and cheese for a light supper.
Anjali Damerla says
This is great, Madhu.
In my house, cauliflower is the least favorite. But I think that opinion might change with this recipe of yours 🙂
I will definitely try this.
BTW, your tomato rasam recipe ( with tomato paste) is like the all time hit in my house. Thanks.
sangeeth says
This is cool! would luv to try this...btw u asked me to add the eggless cookie recipe in your site...i donno where to add...can u help me?
Meera says
The cauliflower looks crispy and so scrumptious! I found a new way to cook my cauliflower..thanks! 🙂