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There are days when you need something light to munch on. And for the love of nibbling on small tidbits, I have something that can double as a side dish for dinner or a healthy snack recipe for you: Roasted cauliflower florets with creamy tahini!

Yes, I said snack. Why not ditch the processed foods and make the star of your snacks vegetables?! So many of those processed foods you reach for are full of sugar, excess sodium, or inflammatory seed oils. These whole roasted cauliflower florets are a healthy alternative to all that junk. This simple recipe is gluten-free, low-calorie, and nutrient dense.

I love Simply Roasted Cauliflower and it’s been a staple in our family for years. Today’s recipe takes everything I love about that recipe and just adds a different flavor profile. And everything is better with a delicious sauce, no?

You can have these roasted cauliflower florets as a snack, as side dishes paired with a fulfilling main course, or on top of a bed of greens for lunch. Plus, it’s so healthy that you can even add it to your kids’ lunchboxes! It’s tasty at room temperature. Would they eat this in their lunch?

Let’s check out this new way to enjoy delicious cauliflower!

Recipe Ingredients for Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini

This roasted cauliflower recipe is so easy; you only need 6 simple ingredients for it. And I’m sure they are readily available in your pantry.

Cauliflower

The first and main ingredient for this roast cauliflower is a whole head of cauliflower. Make sure to use fresh cauliflower and chop it into small florets. I wouldn’t suggest using frozen cauliflowers because they contain more water than fresh ones and can make the florets mushy, and we need soft and juicy cauliflower florets with caramelized edges.

Cauliflower is a nutrient-rich vegetable, rich in Vitamins B6, C, and K. It is also a good source of fiber, folate, magnesium, potassium, and manganese. All these properties make it a power-packed item that reduces inflammation and protects against several chronic diseases like heart issues and cancer.

You can also use brussel sprouts instead of cauliflower florets for this recipe.

Avocado Oil

My recipes usually have healthy alternatives to regular ingredients. Therefore, instead of regular cooking oil, we will add 2 tablespoons of avocado oil to coat the cauliflower florets with other herbs and spices. Why did I opt for avocado oil? Because it is a heart-healthy oil, high in oleic acid and vitamin E. It helps the body absorb other fat-soluble vitamins and is known for reducing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol.

However, you can also use extra-virgin olive oil or coconut oil as an alternative.

Cumin

We will add 1 teaspoon of ground cumin to this cauliflower dish. Cumin is a small herb; however, it has several health benefits. It has anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. In addition, it fights bacteria and parasites, helps regulate blood sugar levels, lowers cholesterol, and has anti-inflammatory effects. It also aids in weight loss, treats irritable bowel movements, and boosts memory.

Salt

To enhance the flavor of all the other ingredients, we will add ¼ teaspoon salt to this roasted cauliflower recipe. You are free to use pink salt, regular salt, or kosher salt.

Black Pepper

To add depth, flavor, and a hint of spice to the recipe, we will sprinkle ⅛ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.

Tahini Sauce

Your tahini sauce just takes a few more ingredients:

tahini (sesame paste)
fresh garlic
lemon juice
ground cumin
salt and pepper

How to Make Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini

The roasted cauliflower florets recipe is very easy to make. You simply need to cut the cauliflower florets, toss them in oil and fresh herbs, and pop them in the oven to roast to golden brown perfection. While they are roasting, you can throw together the tahini sauce!

Here are the detailed steps:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Remove the core of the cauliflower and cut it into large florets. Cut the florets in half so that there’s a flat side.
Place the cauliflower florets in a bowl, and add the avocado oil, cumin, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to toss well so the cauliflower is evenly coated with the oil and spices.
Place the cauliflower, flat side down, on a rimmed baking sheet.
Roast in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Do not shake or turn the cauliflower while roasting.
While the cauliflower is roasting, make your tahini sauce. [For step-by-step photos, see this Garlic Tahini Sauce recipe post] Place the crushed garlic and lemon juice in a small blender. Pulse until they are just mixed.
Strain the lemon juice and garlic mixture through a fine mesh sieve, extracting as much liquid from the mixture as you can.
Combine the garlic-infused lemon juice, tahini, cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl and whisk until combined. The mixture will be very thick.
Add cold water, 1-2 teaspoons at a time, while whisking until your desired consistency is reached.
Once the cauliflower florets turn golden brown with crisp edges, take them out of the oven and serve with tahini sauce. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below, I have answered some common queries to help you with the roasted cauliflower recipe:

Q. How to cut the cauliflower?

Cutting cauliflower into florets is relatively easier than cutting Brussels sprouts! First, you need to remove the leaves from the cauliflower head. Next cut it in quarters starting from the top of the cauliflower, all the way to the bottom. When you have 4 quarters of cauliflower, place it on a chopping board, angle the knife, and cut the florets from the core. Once you have florets, cut them in half so they lay flat on the baking sheet.

Q. Can I use frozen cauliflower for this recipe?

Personally, I would recommend using fresh cauliflower for this recipe. However, if you only have frozen cauliflower at hand, we can make it work by adjusting a few things. Firstly, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F instead of 400 degrees F. Secondly, be generous with the oil. It helps the cauliflower florets from getting mushy while giving the edges a nice crisp. And lastly, turn the florets halfway through baking so they get cooked evenly from all sides.

If you follow these tips, you can make amazing roasted cauliflower even if it’s frozen!

Q. What seasoning options do I have for this recipe?

I’m already using salt, pepper, cumin, and avocado oil to season the roasted cauliflower. However, you can also use:

Garlic powder
Fresh lemon juice
Tomato paste
Sesame seeds
Red pepper flakes
Parmesan cheese

If you enjoyed having these roasted cauliflower florets with tahini sauce, you will love the air fryer zucchini and squash, steamed broccoli, air fryer asparagus, and maple brussel sprouts with this delicious sauce!

If you try this recipe or any of my other healthy recipes, please let me know what you think in the comments below and don’t forget to leave a star rating. Share your photo on Instagram and tag me and I’ll feature you. I can’t wait to see you try this!

Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini