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This Honey Sriracha Baked Cauliflower recipe is loaded with sweet and spicy seasoning flavor and has perfect caramelized edges. This cauliflower side dish recipe is easy to make and pairs perfectly with many entrees.
Honey Baked Cauliflower turns out perfectly tender, and crisp and tastes amazing. You are going to love how versatile it is and how easy it is to make. Cauliflower is like a blank canvas and can take on any flavor you add to it, plus it pairs well with tons of different dishes!
This spicy and sweet cauliflower recipe only takes about 10 minutes of prep, and then the oven does all of the work! Simply, mix up a mouthwatering combination of avocado oil, honey, sriracha, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder. Next, drizzle the cauliflower florets with the marinade, and bake until golden brown. It will be warm, tender, and flavorful every time!
Why you should make this recipe
- Quick & easy to make: With just a few minutes of prep time, this is a no-fuss side to serve. Season the cauliflower, pop it in the oven, and you can have it ready in less than 30 minutes.
- Delicious: You are going to love this cauliflower recipe! Every bite of the perfectly sweet and subtly spicy cauliflower will have you wanting more. Serve it as a healthier appetizer or as a side with chicken, beef, or salmon.
- Healthy: Cauliflower is very nutritious and considered a superfood! It even contains more vitamin C than oranges! In addition, it includes many vitamins and minerals, plenty of fiber and antioxidants.
Ingredients needed
This easy & delicious baked cauliflower recipe is filled with plenty of veggie goodness and great texture. To make it you’ll need:
- Cauliflower: Choose a cauliflower that is free from browning, and is firm with densely packed florets.
- Avocado oil: Combined with the mixture of flavorings, and helps the cauliflower crisp up nicely as it roasts. Olive oil is a good substitute.
- Honey: Adds sweetness to perfectly balance the spice from the sriracha. You may swap honey with agave or maple syrup to make this vegan-friendly
- Sriracha: For a tiny bit of heat and flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar: Vinegar is great in sauces to add brightness and a punchy taste.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder is mixed into the sauce to add garlic flavor. Once cooked, taste and sprinkle on salt and pepper to enhance your flavors!
- Chopped parsley: To garnish and add pops of color and freshness.
How to make this recipe
You’ll have this easy-baked cauliflower side dish recipe ready to go into the oven in less than 10 minutes! Here’s how:
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 400ºF and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the oil, honey, sriracha, vinegar, and garlic powder.
- Chop: Cut the cauliflower into florets and place them in the prepared sheet pan.
- Coat florets: Drizzle with the honey-sriracha mixture, then toss well with your hands to coat each piece.
- Cook: Bake for 20-30 minutes (depending on how big your florets are), until golden brown and tender.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and enjoy!
Expert tips
- Chopped cauliflower: To make this recipe even more convenient, buy cauliflower that has already been chopped into florets.
- Size: Cut cauliflower into similar bite-size pieces, so they all cook at the same rate.
- Air fryer option: You can make this sweet and spicy cauliflower in an air fryer! Preheat at 400ºF for 5 minutes. Place the seasoned cauliflower in your air fryer in batches and air fry them for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping or tossing halfway through. After 15 minutes of cooking, check on the desired doneness every 5 minutes.
- Change it up: This is a great base recipe for experimenting! Feel free to change up the flavorings by adding new spices. Want it spicier, add a pinch of cayenne!
Frequently asked questions
Soaking cauliflower in water is the best way to thoroughly clean it before cooking. Place the entire head of cauliflower head-first into cool, salted water. Allow it to soak for about 10 to 15 minutes to remove any dirt, residue, and/or bugs. Be sure to pat it dry with a paper towel before adding oil and spices.
Roasted cauliflower is super nutritious and a great vegetable to add to your menu. In fact, according to Healthline, cauliflower is a very healthy vegetable that’s a significant source of nutrients. Additionally, it’s weight loss-friendly and incredibly easy to add to your diet.
Your cauliflower could end up soggy or mushy instead of crispy because of overcrowding. Be sure to allow space between florets, and do not overcrowd them on the pan. Also, use only the amount of oil called for in the recipe. If the florets absorb too much oil, it could end up mushy.
Serving suggestions
This spicy baked cauliflower goes with so many main dishes from things like chicken and steak to salads and grain bowls. Here are some of our favorite recipes to pair it with:
- Honey Sriracha Chicken
- Maple Pecan Salmon
- Baked BBQ Chicken Breast
- Grilled Chicken Kafta
- Authentic Chicken Tawook
- Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls
- Garlic Lime Shrimp with Cilantro Lime Rice
- Pan Seared Honey Balsamic Salmon
Storage recommendations
- Storing leftovers: You can store your leftover cauliflower in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat leftovers in the oven on a baking sheet at 350ºF or the stovetop in a skillet over medium heat for about 8 minutes. Watch it closely, so it doesn’t burn. You can microwave it but this might make it a bit soggy and it definitely won’t crisp up as well.
More cauliflower recipes
- Parmesan Oven-Roasted Cauliflower
- Chicken Cauliflower Rice Casserole
- Baked Cauliflower Parmesan
- Ground Turkey and Cauliflower Rice
- Air Fryer BBQ Cauliflower Wings
- Chicken Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Cheesy Cauliflower Bake
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Spicy Honey Baked Cauliflower
Equipment
- Bowl
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets (about 6 cups)
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 tbsp honey, agave or maple syrup
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste
- Optional: chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk the oil, honey, sriracha, vinegar, and garlic powder.
- Cut the cauliflower into florets and place them in the prepared sheet pan.
- Drizzle with the honey-sriracha mixture, then toss well with your hands to coat each piece.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes (depending on how big your florets are), until golden brown and tender.
- Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Storing leftovers: You can store your leftover cauliflower in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat leftovers in the oven on a baking sheet at 350ºF or the stovetop in a skillet over medium heat for about 8 minutes. Watch it closely, so it doesn’t burn. You can microwave it but this might make it a bit soggy and it definitely won’t crisp up as well.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
