Cauliflower Popcorn Recipe

You won’t be feeling any guilt for eating this delicious “popcorn” the next time you want a savory snack. Cauliflower popcorn is an amazing way to enjoy a movie night snack and still stay on track.

This tasty treat is a fun way to turn healthy food into comfort food without animating its nutritional value. This could quite possibly be the healthiest movie snack you’ve ever eaten, and you don’t have to sacrifice flavor either. These are totally delicious.

What Is Cauliflower Popcorn?

This wonderful snack is simply a fresh head of cauliflower that has been broken up into very small florets. To accomplish this, you have to cut the stems really deep down to the base of the floret, at which point, the cauliflower will naturally break apart into these very small pieces that are about the size of popcorn. At this point, they are seasoned and roasted to perfection, giving you a bit of crunch with every bite.

Why Make Cauliflower Popcorn?

If you are on this blog, chances are good that you care about what you eat. While there is nothing wrong with the occasional bowl of popcorn, it’s great to know that there is an even healthier, lower-carb option for enjoying a snack with your movie.

You can flavor this cauliflower popcorn in the same ways you would flavor regular popcorn if you wish. Any number of popcorn seasonings will work here. So get creative and enjoy!

How To Cut The Cauliflower for Cauliflower Popcorn

As mentioned above, you’ll want to cut the stems really far down. You don’t have to discard the stems (you can chop them small and toss them in with the florets), but you do need to cut as close to the base of the floret as you can get. This will allow the florets to break apart into smaller pieces.

Dietary Concerns

This recipe is friendly for diets that are vegan, vegetarian, paleo, low-carb, and keto. (Although keto eaters may want to up the fat content just a bit.

Recipe Variations

If you want to try different variations, here are some suggestions. All of these suggestions use 1 medium head of cauliflower broken/chopped into popcorn-sized pieces. Of course, you can adjust any of these seasonings to be heavier or lighter. The measurements are just a suggestion.

1. Buffalo Cauliflower Popcorn:
   • 2 tbsp. olive oil
   • ¼ cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce (adjust to taste for the desired level of heat)
   • 1 tbsp. maple syrup
   • 1 tbsp. sesame seeds (optional)
   • Salt to taste
   • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
2. Barbecue Cauliflower Popcorn:
   • 2 tbsp. olive oil
   • ¼ cup barbecue sauce
   • ½  tsp. smoked paprika
   • Salt to taste
   • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
3. Herb and Garlic Cauliflower Popcorn:
   • 2 tbsp. olive oil
   • 2 cloves garlic, minced
   • 1 tbsp. chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, and rosemary)
   • Zest of 1 lemon
   • Salt to taste
   • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
4. Curry Cauliflower Popcorn:
   • 2 tbsp. olive oil
   • 1 tbsp. curry powder
   • ½  tsp. turmeric
   • ½  tsp. cumin
   • Pinch of cayenne pepper
   • Salt to taste
   • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
5. Lemon Pepper Cauliflower Popcorn:
   • 2 tbsp. olive oil
   • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
   • 1 tsp. cracked black pepper
   • Pinch of sea salt
6. Sweet and Smoky Cauliflower Popcorn:
   • 2 tbsp. olive oil
   • ½  tsp. smoked paprika
   • 1 tbsp. maple syrup
   • Pinch of cinnamon
   • Salt to taste
   • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Other Topping Options

• Parmesan cheese
• Pepper flakes
• Pesto – Toss the florets in pesto instead of spices. But don’t overdo it, or they won’t cook properly.
• Cheese sauce – For dipping.
• Cheddar cheese
• Feta cheese

About The Ingredients

Cauliflower – Cut into small florets

Extra virgin olive oil – Or any light-flavored oil you prefer to use.

Nutritional yeast

Garlic powder – Or garlic granules.

Onion powder – Or onion granules.

Paprika

Salt – To taste.

Freshly ground black pepper – To taste.

How To Make Cauliflower Popcorn

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Gather and measure your ingredients.

In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower, spices and oil.

Stir well to coat the cauliflower in the spices as evenly as possible.

Spread the seasoned cauliflower florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cauliflower is golden brown and crispy, tossing at least once halfway through cooking.

Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Add additional seasoning if you wish. I added extra nutritional yeast, and it was delicious.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 or 5 days.

Freezing

Freezing is not recommended for this recipe.

Reheating

Reheat these in an oven set to 325F. Stir frequently to prevent them from burning. Cook until warmed through.

More Healthy Snack Recipes

• Mediterranean Cream Cheese Dip Board
• Garlic Fries
• Chocolate Covered Chickpeas
• Chocolate Popcorn

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