Oven roasted cauliflower
This whole roasted cauliflower with crispy garlic butter breadcrumbs is a stunning and flavourful vegetarian main or side dish. Oven or air fryer friendly, it’s golden, tender, and packed with texture and taste.
Updated : 03 July, 2025
Easy
About 20 min.
Ingredients
For the garlic butter breadcrumbs
20 grams
Breadcrumbs
2
Cloves
20 grams
Butter
1 tablespoon
Parsley
For the roasted cauliflower
1
Cauliflower
1 tablespoon
Olive oil
to taste
Salt
to taste
Ground black pepper
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
To prepare the garlic butter breadcrumbs, preheat the oven to 200C or set the air fryer to 180C.
Step 2
In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and garlic, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Grate the butter using the large holes of a cheese grater directly into the bowl. Use your fingertips to combine the butter thoroughly with the breadcrumbs.
Step 3
Spread the breadcrumb mixture evenly onto a baking tray. If using an air fryer, choose a tray that fits inside or line with a piece of baking paper.
Step 4
Cook for 8-10 minutes in the oven or 4 minutes in the air fryer, stirring halfway through, until the breadcrumbs are golden-brown. Once done, remove and allow to cool before mixing in the chopped parsley.
Step 5
For the roasted cauliflower, reduce the oven temperature to 190C, or adjust the air fryer to 170C.
Step 6
Trim the base of the cauliflower so it can sit flat, while keeping as many of the outer green leaves intact as possible. Cut a deep cross into the base of the stem.
Step 7
Bring about 4cm/1½in of water to a boil in a large pan. Carefully lower the cauliflower into the pan, cover with a lid, and steam for 12 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let it sit for 5 minutes to steam dry. If using the outer cauliflower leaves, remove them now and reserve them to roast during the final 10-15 minutes of cooking.
Step 8
Brush the cauliflower all over with olive oil, season well with salt and pepper, and roast in the oven for 40-45 minutes or in the air fryer for 30 minutes, turning or checking halfway through. It’s ready when deeply golden and tender throughout.
Step 9
Serve the roasted cauliflower in a deep dish. Carve into wedges at the table and top generously with the crispy garlic butter breadcrumbs.