Is it possible to be addicted to cauliflower???
I swear, this shake and bake cauliflower is possibly even more addictive than popcorn or potato chips.
One taste and it’s impossible to stop… until suddenly the entire bowl is gone!
Luckily, it’s super easy to make more.
Like the name says, you simply throw the ingredients into a bag, shake it all together, and bake until crispy.
Then you can devour the evidence and repeat the process all over again!
Growing up, I always loved Shake’n Bake Chicken, more for the addictively crunchy breadcrumb coating than for the actual chicken.
So, after the incredible success of my Sticky Sesame Cauliflower recipe, when I started brainstorming additional recipes I could make using cauliflower instead of chicken, the “shake and bake” idea was an immediate next choice.
Obviously this does not taste exactly like chicken… but if you are a cauliflower fan, you might like it even more than the original chicken version!
I once read an article where the author claimed it’s only possible to become addicted to processed foods and that no one can be addicted to vegetables.
This made me laugh and think that the author clearly had never tried roasted cauliflower!
Shake & Bake Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1/2 a large head of cauliflower
- 1/4 cup milk of choice
- 1/4 cup fine cornmeal or flour
- 1-2 tsp oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup Italian panko breadcrumbs (regular or gf)
- 3-4 tsp nutritional yeast or parmesan (such as vegan Parma)
Instructions
- Finely crush the breadcrumbs, either in a blender (easiest method) or by placing them in a bag and crushing with a rolling pin or heavy object. Preheat oven to 425 F. Cut the cauliflower up into florets. Whisk together the other ingredients except breadcrumbs, then toss everything (except breadcrumbs) together in a large ziploc. Put the cauliflower in a colander to drain off excess batter. Toss with the breadcrumbs. Arrange in 1 layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 35-40 minutes. Remove from the oven. (Note: If you want to use oil spray instead of oil, feel free to experiment. I’ve not tried it and so can’t say how it would affect the taste/texture. Plain breadcrumbs can be subbed for the Italian, but you'll probably want to add some Italian seasonings.)View Nutrition Facts
Notes
More Healthy Cauliflower Recipes:
Vegetarian Enchiladas – with Cauliflower Sour Cream
What’s your favorite way to eat cauliflower? Roasted in the oven? Pureed into a creamy sauce or soup?
Or maybe in this Healthy Chocolate Cake???
Um, I am definitely addicted to fruits and vegetables, so yeah…
This cauliflower looks amazing!!!
I forgot the oil but the bread crumbs adhered to all the cauliflower. Why do you need oil in the first place. Is it used only to help the bread crumbs stick to the cauliflower? Thanks.
I absolutely love cauliflower, so I’m going to make this! Looks great.
I haven’t seen “Shake n’ Bake” in so long, this is an awesome thought and one that is really solid.
This is my first time commenting but I had to. Amazing. I included the nutritional yeast and added garlic powder, giving it a “mac and cheese” feel . I doubled the recipe so I could use a whole cauliflower and between my non-vegan/cheese loving boyfriend and I, it was gone by the end of the night, (followed by your Reece’s eggs, his favorite). All of Katie’s recipes are amazing and, even as a loose vegetarian, I make at least one recipe daily (oats, smoothies, desserts, everything) but I had to comment on this one because, as my boyfriend said, “F&*% cheese”. I now have full permission to feed him your vegan mac and cheese, and I’m going to have fun and add this to it as well as try broccoli done up the same way for a tasty, veggie filled feast. Katie, you really are a step above any other recipe related blog. Thank you!!
This comment made me laugh, mostly because I can relate to your boyfriend in the story. (I’m not a full vegan, but even just a few years ago I never would have thought I’d like any so-called “vegan” recipes.)
I made this tonight in the air fryer. Yummy! 390 for 13 minutes and the family loved it. Next time I will add some Italian seasoning to give it a bit more oomph.
So cool it works in an air fryer! Italian breadcrumbs should already be seasoned, so yeah definitely add in seasonings if subbing plain breadcrumbs.
Just made this for dinner and it is so delicious! Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Loved it!
I love your sticky sesame cauliflower and was going to make some tonight, but after seeing this, I think I’ll switch to Shake & Bake!
That looks really addictive! I have been reading this blog for years and every time I am amazed by the creativity you show, Katie. Simply the best! 🙂
I don’t usually leave comments but just wanted to say that these were amazing Katie, thank you! I was slightly sceptical that they would taste too “vegetable-y” but they are so yummy!