Roasted Frozen Cauliflower
Roasted frozen cauliflower is so easy to make with barely any prep work. Oven roasted frozen cauliflower is great as a side dish or even as a snack with the right dipping sauce. This side dish is made with simple pantry and freezer ingredients and is super versatile.
Ingredients
- Frozen cauliflower – frozen cauliflower is available in most grocery stores. No need to defrost or thaw the cauliflower in advance, it’s actually best if you cook it from frozen for the best texture.
- Olive oil spray (or avocado oil spray) – using a spray is such an easy way to ensure that all the frozen cauliflower florets are coated in oil before roasting. This helps make sure the spices stick and also helps to create that caramelized exterior on the cauliflower as they roast.
- Spices: Salt and garlic powder – I kept the spices for this dish super simple, but you can add so many other flavors by adding different spices.
How to make roasted frozen cauliflower
Start by preheating the oven to 425F.
Add the cauliflower to a baking sheet and push them together as close as possible without overlapping. Spray with olive oil spray and sprinkle with salt and garlic powder. Stir well then evenly distribute them around the pan so they have some room between the florets.
Bake at 425F for 25 minutes.
After 25 minutes, remove from the oven and stir well. Return to the oven and continue baking at 425F for 15 minutes (or until the cauliflower are slightly brown and tender).
Top tips
- No need to defrost the cauliflower before cooking. You want to put it in the oven frozen for the best texture.
- Always make at least 2 bags of frozen cauliflower at a time. The leftovers are great and you will be surprised how quickly this roasted cauliflower disappears, its so yummy.
- Before baking, I like to look over the cauliflower and break up any large chunks or even cut large florets in half, so they are closer in size to the smaller florets. This helps ensure everything will roast together at the same time.
- Be sure to use a large baking sheet to ensure that there is some room for air to pass between the frozen cauliflower as they bake in the oven. I love these stainless steel baking sheets, they are large and you don’t even need parchment paper when roasting veggies.
- For easier clean up, you can put parchment paper down on the baking sheet before adding the cauliflower.
- Short on time? Make frozen cauliflower in the air fryer instead!
Roasted Frozen Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 2 bags frozen cauliflower - 12-16 oz bags
- olive oil spray
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F.
- Add frozen cauliflower to a baking sheet. Move all the frozen cauliflower together in the center of the baking sheet. Spray with olive oil spray and sprinkle with salt and garlic powder. Stir well.
- Bake at 425F for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, take the cauliflower out of the oven and stir it well. Place back in the oven and cook another 15 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- No need to defrost the cauliflower before cooking. You want to put it in the oven frozen for the best texture.
- Always make at least 2 bags of frozen cauliflower at a time. The leftovers are great and you will be surprised how quickly this roasted cauliflower disappears, its so yummy.
- Before baking, I like to look over the cauliflower and break up any large chunks or even cut large florets in half, so they are closer in size to the smaller florets. This helps ensure everything will roast together at the same time.
- Be sure to use a large baking sheet to ensure that there is some room for air to pass between the frozen cauliflower as they bake in the oven. I love these stainless steel baking sheets, they are large and you don’t even need parchment paper when roasting veggies.
- For easier clean up, you can put parchment paper down on the baking sheet before adding the cauliflower.
Nutrition Information
Spices to add
Cooking frozen cauliflower in the oven with simple spices (just salt and garlic powder) helps ensure that the dish is super versatile and is a great side dish no matter what you are cooking. If you are feeling a bit more adventitious, add these spice blends along with the salt and garlic powder to the frozen cauliflower before baking.
- Moroccan – add 1.5 tsp. turmeric, 1 tsp. cumin, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
- Italian – add 1 tablespoon italian seasoning and an additional 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- Greek – add 2 teaspoons italian seasoning and 1 teaspoon oregano. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top and sprinkle with fresh flat leaf parsley after cooking.
- Curry – add 1/2 tablespoon curry powder and 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or cumin
- Spicy – add crushed red pepper flakes or drizzle some sriracha over the cauliflower during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Smoky – add 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Za’atar – za’atar adds a smoky, herby delicious kick to the cauliflower. Add about 1-2 teaspoons.
- Ranch – add 1 tbsp. dried chives, 1 tsp. parsley and ½ tsp dill to the spice mixture.
- Buffalo – toss with a mixture of 1/4 cup hot sauce, 1 tbsp avocado oil and 1/2 tsp. garlic powder during the last 5 minutes in the oven.
- Pesto – toss the cooked cauliflower in pesto right after cooking for a super fun side dish
- Chimichurri – toss the roasted frozen cauliflower in chimichurri sauce (or drizzle it on top) for a super yummy twist.
Ways to serve baked frozen cauliflower
- As a simple side dish with just about any meal
- On salads
- As a snack with your favorite dip. Some of my favorites are creamy white bean pesto, butter bean hummus, lemon herb tahini, chipotle mayo, sriracha mayo or ranch
- In frittatas or baked egg dishes
- As part of grain bowls, burrito bowls or buddha bowls
Common questions
Does the cauliflower get crispy when roasted?
No frozen cauliflower doesn’t get crispy when roasted, but it does get caramelized on the edges and so yummy when roasted.
Can you use fresh cauliflower instead?
Yes! You can roast fresh or frozen cauliflower using the same method. For fresh cauliflower, it may be done baking in about 35-40 minutes.
Should you thaw frozen cauliflower before cooking?
You do not have to thaw frozen cauliflower before cooking. Simply add it to the baking sheet and bake at high heat (425F) for at least 40 minutes.
Does frozen cauliflower get mushy?
Frozen cauliflower has a very similar texture to fresh cauliflower after roasting. It might be a little bit less crunchy than fresh but overall they have a very similar texture once roasted.
Storing leftovers
- Fridge: Store leftover roasted cauliflower in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days in the fridge.
- Reheat: Reheat in the microwave (1-2 minutes on high), in the air fryer (375F for 3-5 minutes) or on the stove on medium heat for a few minutes until hot.
- Freezer: You can freeze leftovers if you like but the texture won’t be exactly the same as when it’s first cooked. It’s best to enjoy roasted frozen cauliflower within 5 days of making it instead of freezing. If you have to freeze it, store it in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Use leftovers in soup, frittatas or casseroles.
If you love this recipe, you should try
Frozen Brussel Sprouts in Oven or Air Fryer
