This simple oven roasted or air fryer curried cauliflower is the best Indian-inspired vegetable side dish! The curry gives plain Jane cauliflower a nice smokiness and the lime gives it an acidic kick.
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Curried Cauliflower is the most versatile side dish!
I love cauliflower ’cause it lasts forever in the fridge and you can transform it into so many vegetable side dishes. You can roast the whole head, make “fried rice,” or transform it into pseudo-mashed potatoes. Here’s yet another way I like to cook it: Roast the florets with a generous dusting of specialty curry powder.
I first came across this technique on super brainiac/foodie Darya Rose’s awesome website, Summer Tomato. She calls this dish “Roasted Curried Cauliflower to Die For,” and I have to admit I’d gladly impale myself on a rusty sword for some. I make this recipe all the time, but with some slight modifications: I change up the oil depending on what I have in the pantry, and I add a squirt of lime juice and a shower of chopped cilantro at the end. Also, the curry blend I almost always use is this one.
Ingredients
- Large cauliflower head, cut into uniform florets
- Avocado oil, melted coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, or melted ghee
- Madras curry powder: I like this one a lot, but it does contain salt already add additional salt accordingly!
- Diamond Crystal Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Freshly squeezed lime juice: Lemon juice also works great! The splash of acidity at the end pairs great with the curry seasoning.
- Minced cilantro leaves (optional): I love adding fresh cilantro at the end, but you can substitute green onions or chives if you hate cilantro.
How to make Curried Cauliflower
Heat the oven to 450°F with the rack in the lower middle position in the oven. Chop up the cauliflower into uniform size florets.
In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with the oil and curry powder. Add a healthy pinch of salt and some freshly cracked black pepper.
Arrange the seasoned florets in a single layer on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet, cover it tightly with foil, and roast in the oven for 15 minutes.
Remove the foil and roast the cauliflower for 20 more minutes, flipping the florets halfway through.
The cauliflower’s done when it’s tender on the inside and nicely browned on the outside.
Transfer the roasted cauliflower to a serving platter, and season with lime juice. Trust me: the tangy zing will add brightness and balance to the rich and spicy cauliflower.
If desired, sprinkle a handful of minced cilantro on top. Easy and delicious!
How to make air fryer cauliflower
Yes! After tossing the cauliflower in oil and curry powder, pop the florets in a preheated air fryer set at 400°F. Air fry the curry-seasoned florets for 15 to 20 minutes, tossing them every 5 minutes or so. The dish is ready when the florets are golden brown and tender. Although this method seems quicker, you may not save time because most air fryers have a small capacity and you have to cook in batches.
What are some Indian-inspired entrees to serve with it?
Here are some tasty dishes to serve with roasted curried cauliflower:
How to store leftovers
Leftover curried cauliflower can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Leftovers taste great cold, room temperature, or reheated!
Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2022).
PRINTER-FRIENDLY RECIPE CARD
Easy Curried Cauliflower (Air Fryer & Oven Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 large cauliflower head cut into uniform florets
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil melted coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, or ghee
- 3 tablespoons Madras curry powder or your favorite kind of curry powder
- Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice or lemon juice
- ¼ cup minced cilantro leaves optional
Instructions
Oven instructions
- Heat the oven to 450°F with the rack in the lower middle position in the oven. In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with the avocado oil and curry powder. Add a healthy pinch of salt and some freshly cracked black pepper.
- Arrange the seasoned florets in a single layer on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet, cover it tightly with foil, and roast in the oven for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and roast the cauliflower for 20 more minutes, flipping the florets halfway through. The cauliflower’s done when it’s tender on the inside and nicely browned on the outside.
- Transfer the roasted cauliflower to a serving platter, and season with lime juice. Trust me: the tangy zing will add brightness and balance to the rich and spicy cauliflower. If desired, sprinkle a handful of minced cilantro on top, and serve.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Heat air fyer to 400°F. In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with the avocado oil and curry powder. Add a healthy pinch of salt and some freshly cracked black pepper.
- Air fry the cauliflower for 15 to 20 minutes, tossing the florets every 5 minutes or so. The florets are ready when the outside is brown and crispy and the center is tender. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to divide the florets into two batches.
- Transfer the roasted cauliflower to a serving platter, and season with lime juice. If desired, sprinkle a handful of minced cilantro on top, and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is very similar to a favorite dish of mine, but I add a can of roasted tomatoes when I bake it. Once it’s done, I mix in a can of coconut cream. To make it a main dish, I toss in cooked potato cubes and diced chicken. It’s soooooo good!
This recipe is great!
the ingredients say lemon juice but the directions say lime…….looks like you are squeezing a lime in the photo so that’s what I am going with.
Lime is correct! I fixed the recipe card to reflect the change.