Cauliflower Popcorn
- Total Time
- 40 minutes
- Rating
- Notes
- Read community notes
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Ingredients
Yield:4 servings
- 2pounds cauliflower, cut into ½- to 1-inch pieces and florets
- ⅓cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or melted ghee
- ¼cup nutritional yeast
- ¼teaspoon red-pepper flakes or pinch of ground cayenne
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- ½cup panko bread crumbs
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
319 calories; 23 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 16 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 22 grams carbohydrates; 9 grams dietary fiber; 6 grams sugars; 13 grams protein; 634 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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- Step 1
Heat the oven to 450 degrees. On a sheet pan, toss the cauliflower with ⅓ cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast and the red-pepper flakes. Season generously with salt and pepper, then toss well to evenly distribute. Spread in an even layer and roast for 20 minutes, until the cauliflower is crisp-tender and starting to brown at the edges.
- Step 2
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the panko, remaining 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast and remaining tablespoon olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, and stir with a fork until evenly combined.
- Step 3
When the 20 minutes are up, stir the cauliflower, spread it into an even layer and sprinkle with the panko mixture. Roast until the panko is toasted, 10 to 12 minutes.
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Cooking Notes
Jewels
I approached this recipe tepidly as I would like to use nutritional yeast more, especially because of the high B12, but don't embrace the flavour so much. For this reason I only made 1/4 recipe but followed the recipe exactly (reduced to 1/4). The cauliflower was delicious. I baked it in my Air Fry toaster oven at 415 degrees air fry for 20 minutes and then at 400 for about 9 minutes with the panko. Served with bleu cheese dressing and Valentina hot sauce for my husband.
Gina Mersman
After trying this recipe I LOVE cauliflower. I was skeptical as I’m not a big fan of nutritional yeast. Hot out of the oven the toasted panko and crispy edges of the cauliflower just made this so yummy. I eat this cold as well with Italian dressing.
Amie
This is great! The cauliflower was mushy, but it was still fantastic. The flavor was unreal and I ate the entire 2 pounds in less than 24 hours. I will try and adjust some things to get it crispier, but regardless, I will make it again.
Marielle
I have not made this exact recipe, but I do roast cauliflower frequently. I am looking forward to trying the nutritional yeast and panko suggestion, it sounds delicious! However 450 degrees for 30 minutes is to long and too hot for cauliflower. 12-15 minutes total at 400 degrees is just about right for a perfect texture that doesn’t turn to an unappealing mush.
tammy
OMG - first time in 25 years that my husband actually finished the vegetable on the plate! Used parmesan since didn't have nutritional yeast and we live an hour + r/t form a store that might have nutritional yeast. Delicious.
Marieka
I made this but substituted almond flour for panko. It was pretty easy and very tasty! Timing seemed just right.
Susan
I am diabetic so I leave out the panko, but I add in some Everything Bagel seasoning, which doesn't exactly make it popcorn-esque but does make it delicious. I suppose I could add in whole wheat breadcrumbs, but they don't get as crisp as panko. Still, we do what we can. I love this recipe.
Gwen
Great recipe - be careful with the salt. First time was too salty for us. All the cauliflower skeptics wanted more!
Herb
I'm really surprised at the timing, and I see that other followers of this recipe have noted that the cauliflower is "mushy." Half an hour at 450 is just lunatic! When I make roasted cauliflower florets in general, I'm at 425 for 12-15 minutes total. So when I amended this for tonight, I put the panko on right off the bat, and ran the air fryer at 390 for 15 minutes. It was still pretty close to being overcooked, but not bad.
CGKohel
I am a great lover of nutritional yeast, I use it to season popcorn and make non-dairy "parmesan" cheese. I chose to use the cayenne pepper. It was a hit in my house.
Marieka
I made this with almond flour instead of panko. Turned out great and the timing was just right.
Karen NBvW
I have tried frozen Broccoli & unfortunately since both are evidently quick scalded B4 freezing they are just too 'mushy'
kristy
No, thanks. I followed all the instructions and the cauliflower is mushy and the Panko is a little too harsh and weirdly crunchy for the completely mushy cauliflower. Also, I agree with one other reviewer who said that there’s not a lot of flavor involved here. I can see what the recipe might be TRYing to do, but it is just not quite right. Something is missing. I probably won’t make this again. Thanks though.
susan m
Delicious! I made it as written and everyone loved it - thanks for converting a cauliflower hater
Charity
This was delicious. Did bake it less time(12 minutes at 450) then 10 minutes with topping. Crunchy without having mushy cauliflower. I’m sure it would lend itself to some other spices if you prefer.
Cora
Has anyone tried this with broccoli, and of course cooking it for a shorter time? Thanks!
Christine
I was excited to try this recipe. While it was tasty, especially after adding powdered cheddar cheese, it came out a little soggy. I think I’ll try the recipe again but will use an air fryer.
Christy
When you know you need to eat your veggies but you want something naughty.I liked it with Ghee (thank you for suggesting alternative oil as I had JUST run out of olive oil!). 450 Convection, 10 minutes for each cooking phase. Cauliflower was not mushy - panko was crunchy but mostly had fallen off and I scooped it up as a crumble. I think it needs some kind of sauce - used Brooklyn Delhi Tomato Achaar - yum. It would be great with blue cheese dressing or something creamy as mentioned by others!
hamden
Try using truffle oil for the tablespoon mixed with the Panko: superb!
Rhonda K.
I made this according to the recipe and it was delicious! We ate it inside of one TV show and was sorry it was gone!
Donna
Made this for some friends last night as part of a "shared snack" get together. They loved it! Taste was great though the cauliflower was a little soggy (as mentioned by some other reviewers). Next time, and there will be a next time, I will try cooking a little less to try for a crispier texture.
Bo
Surprisingly yummy. The nutritional yeast adds a flavor that complements the cauliflower. Excellent texture. I'll add this to my roasting vegetables rotation.
eileeb b27
My husband and I ate the entire cauliflower! I served it over some leftover noodles tossed with olive oil, and it was great. We roast cauliflower all the time, but I cut it up much smaller than typical roasting, as directed in the recipe. The flaky yeast and Panko added a wonderful crunch.
Juliet
Works brilliantly in an air fryer in a fraction of the oven time
Pete
Followed the recipe, came out fine, not mushy. There wasn’t a lot of flavor, though. Gochugaru added at the table made it a winner.
Christi
Like many others, I loved this recipe. I think I will try reducing the cook time a little to hopefully get a dish that stays firmer and therefore seems crunchier longer.
Tender
MUCH too much oil in this recipe. The result was a queasy stomach and most of it in the garbage. Cauliflower only requires a tablespoon or so before popping it into the oven on the air-fryer setting.
Karen G
I had my doubts about nutritional yeast, too! But this was delicious. Agree with roasting for less time (I tossed on the panko plus a little Parmesan for good measure) as soon as cauliflower edges just turned golden); maybe 20 minutes total, with sampling throughout
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