• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Belly Rumbles
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Restaurants
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Restaurants
  • Work With Us
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Blog

    Oven Baked Popcorn Cauliflower

    May 28, 2018 By Sara McCleary Updated October 27, 2021 - This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Oven baked popcorn cauliflower is a great vegetarian version to popular popcorn chicken. You will be popping these crunchy cauliflower florets into your mouth one after one.

    On the weekends I often get the craving for snacks. Especially if relaxing and taking time out to watch a movie or catch up on the latest series I am engrossed in. At the moment I am binge watching Lost in Space and getting my weekly fix of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Good Fight.

    Oven Baked Popcorn Cauliflower is super delicious and crunchy served straight from the oven to your guests

    You may have seen the gif in social media of Michael Jackson eating a bowl of popcorn (from the Thriller clip). It’s often used by an onlooker in a discussion thread when a heated argument or an “interesting” discussion is going on.

    That’s me with a bowl of this oven baked popcorn cauliflower while watching The Handmaid’s Tale! I go through a rollercoaster of emotions from disbelief, to worry, and then wanting to strangle a couple of the characters with my bare hands. I’m not a violent person in general, I promise.

    Oven Baked Popcorn Cauliflower made simply with breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, thyme and smoked paprika

    For a woman it's a bloody scary story, and not impossible. Sadly parts of the story are a close reality for some women in some societies.

    But this post is not about television, the oppression of women or religion. No this is about tasty treats to stuff in your gob.

    A vegetarian alternative to popcorn chicken, Oven Baked Popcorn Cauliflower

    These babies are great for serving to guests as well. Not just for stuffing in your face while watching television.

    It is a no fuss recipe that’s relatively easy to make. You can cook your cauliflower ahead of time and leave strained and cooling. Then 25 minutes before you want to serve, toss them in beaten egg and then the breadcrumb mixture.

    The oven baked popcorn cauliflower does need a couple of turns during cooking. Besides that, you don’t have to think about them. Between you and I, it won’t be a complete tragedy if you only give them a flip once, 15 minutes into the cooking time.

    Oven Baked Popcorn Cauliflower is a simple and tasty dish for entertaining

    Special equipment for this recipe

    None, simple and easy dish. I have thought about giving this recipe a go in an air fryer, if you do, let me know how you go.

    Oven Baked Popcorn Cauliflower ingredients and recipe

    Special ingredients for this recipe

    None, but don’t forgo the salt at the end, it needs it.

    Oven Baked Popcorn Cauliflower is a healthier alternative to fried popcorn chicken

    What to do with any leftovers

    Revenge may be a dish best served cold, but these best served straight from the oven and eaten. The oven baked popcorn cauliflower will lose its crunch on cooling. You can store any leftovers in the fridge for a day and then reheat in the oven, but it won’t be the same.

    Sara xxx

    Style Guide: Glass bowl from Pyrex, Enamel baking trays can be bought from Falcon, Red bowl from Mud Australia, Bamboo skewers from Avanti,

    Other Snack You'll Love

    Fried Green Tomato Fritters Recipe
    Cauliflower Feta Balls Recipe
    Baked Sweet Potato & Polenta Bites Recipe
    Potato Skin Chips/Crisps Recipe

    Oven Baked Popcorn Cauliflower is a great snack for adults and children alike. Crunchy straight from the oven.

    Oven Baked Popcorn Cauliflower

    Recipe Author: Sara McCleary
    Oven baked popcorn cauliflower is a great vegetarian version to popular popcorn chicken. You will be popping these crunchy cauliflower florets into your mouth one after one.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 193 kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 cauliflower cut in to small florets
    • 1 egg whisked
    • 75 grams 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
    • 60 grams ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
    • 5 grams (1 teaspoon) smoked paprika
    • 2 teaspoons chopped thyme
    • Olive oil
    • Generous sprinkle of sea salt

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven 210 deg C (410 deg F). Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
    • Place cauliflower in a large pot with water. Bring pot to the boil and cook cauliflower for 5 minutes or until it is just tender.
    • Drain cauliflower in a colander and leave to cool while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
    • In a bowl combine breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, paprika and thyme.
    • Transfer cauliflower to a large bowl and mix through beaten egg.
    • Add breadcrumb mixture to the cauliflower and egg. Mix well to coat the cauliflower florets.
    • Place cauliflower on the lined baking tray and drizzle with a little olive oil. Place tray in the oven to bake for 25 minutes or until cauliflower is golden and crisp. Turn the cauliflower 2 or 3 times during baking to ensure they crisp up well.
    • Place in a serving dish and sprinkle with a generous pink of sea salt to season.
    • Serve immediately as it is best eaten when hot.

    Notes

    Making this for guests?
    You can cook your cauliflower ahead of time and leave strained and cooling. Then 25 minutes before you want to serve, toss them in beaten egg and then the breadcrumb mixture.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 193kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 13gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 426mgPotassium: 512mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 483IUVitamin C: 71mgCalcium: 242mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword guilt free snack recipe, healthy cauliflower recipes, low fat game day snacks
    Did You Make This Recipe?I do a happy dance when people share how they went. Tag me on Instagram or Twitter @bellyrumbles & #bellyrumbles
    « The Great Mooncake Mould Search in Singapore
    Beef Stroganoff Is Deliciously Quick And Easy »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. marcuise

      June 20, 2018 at 8:24 pm

      5 stars
      Wow nice idea... L like it very much

      Reply
    2. Head Shot Photographer

      June 20, 2018 at 6:03 pm

      5 stars
      Something so simple can look so good - great recipe! Love the minimalist photography

      Reply
      • Shona

        July 12, 2020 at 2:42 am

        5 stars
        Fantastic recipe. Loved it and so easy. This will become a favourite I can tell. Thank you ?

        Reply
        • Sara McCleary

          July 17, 2020 at 9:55 am

          Hi Shona, glad you loved the recipe ?

          Reply
    3. Pat @ Wholesome Kitchen

      June 13, 2018 at 1:24 pm

      This is an awesome idea, I love how delicious this looks! Thanks!

      Reply
    4. Jared Justian

      June 12, 2018 at 9:56 pm

      5 stars
      This looks freaking delicious! Might have to try making some cauliflower popcorns on the weekend!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    photo of Sara McCleary, Founder, Belly Rumbles culinary travel blog

    Well hello there! I’m Sara McCleary a food photographer, creative recipe developer, and avid traveller (when the World isn’t in a pandemic).

    Welcome to Belly Rumbles, my slice of the Internet.

    I share Recipes discovered or inspired by my adventures and family favourites too! Come join me on my culinary adventure.

    More about me ?

    Footer

    back to top


    Nitty Gritty

    About Us

    Let's Connect

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • About
    • Sara McCleary
    • Work With Us
    • Contact
    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

    © Sara McCleary and Belly Rumbles® 2009-2023

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    • LinkedIn
    • Reddit
    470 shares