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My roasted curried cauliflower needs only 4 ingredients and makes a fabulous side dish! Ready in 20 minutes, it’s crispy, crunchy, and addictive!
Looking for more vegetable side dishes? Try my sauteed broccolini, roasted potatoes and carrots, jicama fries, and bacon wrapped asparagus next.
There’s a reason why cauliflower is considered the kind of vegetables.
It is, without a doubt, one of the most versatile veggies. It takes well to a variety of seasonings and cooking methods. Currently, my family is obsessed with my roasted curry cauliflower.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Just 4 ingredients. All you need is cauliflower, oil, and a few spices.
- The best texture. Crispy and golden brown on the outside yet soft and delicious in the middle.
- Diet-friendly. It’s low in carbs and calories, AND it’s gluten-free and vegan!
- Virtually hands-off. Once you toss the florets in the spices, the oven does 99% of the work, so you can focus on the main course.
Ingredients needed
- Cauliflower. One large head of cauliflower chopped into florets.
- Olive oil. To give the cauliflower extra crisp. I prefer the flavor of olive oil, but any oil works.
- Curry powder. I keep it simple and use a store-bought spice blend, but you’re welcome to make your own spice mixture using turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon.
- Kosher salt and black pepper. To taste.
How to make roasted curried cauliflower
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2- Season. In a large bowl, add the cauliflower florets and toss with the spices. Add olive oil and mix to coat the florets.
Step 3- Roast. Spread the cauliflower in a single layer on the sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender.
Air fryer option!
Want to use your air fryer to make curried cauliflower instead? It’s almost identical to my air fryer cauliflower: Add a single layer of the cauliflower in a greased air fryer basket and air fry at 200C/400F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Cut the cauliflower into even-sized pieces. So they cook evenly.
- No stacking. Otherwise, the cauliflower won’t get equal access to heat and can become mushy.
- Oven makes and models differ. If your cauliflower isn’t golden brown around the edges, keep it in there longer!
- Add aromatics. Toss in one tablespoon of freshly minced garlic or ginger.
- Serve with a sauce. If I have time, I like mixing a little tahini with extra virgin olive oil and smoke flavor, then drizzling it on top.
Ways to use curry cauliflower
While curry roasted cauliflower makes a wonderful side dish, you can jazz it up in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas:
- Cauliflower curry. Add it to a chicken curry or make a curry from scratch and fold in the roasted cauliflower.
- Add it to fried rice. Finely chop the curried cauliflower and toss it through curry fried rice.
- Make cauliflower soup. Swap out the cauliflower in my roasted cauliflower soup for this curry-fied version!
- Add chickpeas (or potatoes!). Toss a can of drained chickpeas into the cauliflower before roasting it.
- Turn it into a salad. Use these roasted cauliflower florets in my cauliflower potato salad.
Storage instructions
- To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to five days.
- To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled cauliflower in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to six months.
- Reheating: Either microwave the cauliflower or reheat it in the oven until crispy.
Frequently asked questions
Avoid overcrowding the baking dish and leave some room between each floret so they can cook evenly and completely. This guarantees the cauliflower is always crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
To prepare the cauliflower for roasting, slice it in half. Then, cut each floret off piece by piece. For the larger pieces, you can cut them in half. Cutting the vegetable this way ensures the florets remain intact.
More cauliflower recipes to try
Curried Cauliflower
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cauliflower and toss through the salt, pepper, and curry powder. Add the olive oil and, using your hands, mix well to ensure all florets are coated with the spices and the oil.
- Add the cauliflower on an even layer on the baking tray and cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Remove from oven and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally updated November 2022, updated and republished July 2024
Best curried cauliflower EVER!!
After reading this recipe I will buy for sure one caulflower. Its a bit expensive here but I like it so much.
Wow all ingredients have at home. So I need to make this one.
This looks amazing must make this really love nutty chocolate is my favourite.😋😋😋😋😋
Very interesting idea. I can’t believe how far down I had to scroll to get to this box…you are such a popular guy! =) I do love roasted brussel sprouts and butternut squash…taters of any kind too. Love this post. Thanks for sharing with us at Weekend Potluck.
Stop making me so bashful! 😉
I think I have the best recipe coming up for you- A cold brussels and butternut salad 😉
Thanks for hosting Marsha!
I love cauliflower and this sounds great! Would love to have you share it at Gluten Free Fridays link up! Its live now at vegetarianmamma.com! Cindy 🙂
I have everything but the garam masala… But I do have five spice powder. Should I substitute that or just leave the gm out altogether? I’m so conflicted! I want to make this right now but don’t want to screw it up!
Hey Sandi! I’m so sorry for the delayed reply- My blog has been getting a small makeover!
Five Spice tends to lend a sweeter taste which I think will be even better- I think it would be the cloves- Try and add a tad more salt though to compliment!
I’m confused, I don’t see garam masala listed as an ingredient at all. Only curry powder.
Sorry, will fix it! It’s 1/4 teaspoon 🙂