Spice up your roasted cauliflower with curry powder and garam masala (no oil needed) in this sheet pan side dish. To save time, use pre-cut cauliflower florets or even frozen cauliflower. You can totally make this in the air fryer, too!
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🎙 What people say about this recipe
"Hello, I just came across your website when I searched for oil-free curry cauliflower. I’m so glad I did! I made this in the air fryer and it’s delicious! I’m eating it right off the basket and need to stop so there’s some left for dinner! ; ) Thanks so much for the great, healthful recipe! I’m looking forward to trying more."
- Christina
🧄 Very useful ingredient notes
- Cauliflower - Look for a large cauliflower that is white, without brown or black spots.
- Curry powder - Curry powder is a blend of spices and each one is a little unique. The one I use most often is Chief Curry Powder, made in Trinidad, recommended to me by my friend Ria.
- Garam masala - Garam masala is a mix of warm Indian spices and, like curry powder, each one is slightly different. Some are spicy and some are more mild. Find one you like and stick with it. The McCormick garam masala (pictured) is mild. I've also used and loved Morton & Basset garam masala and the Burlap & Barrel garam masala is incredibly fragrant - I highly recommend them both.
📋 Substitutions and variations
- Cauliflower - instead of using a fresh cauliflower you have to break down, save time by buying pre-cut cauliflower florets. Both fresh or frozen will work for this recipe!
Instead of using the curry powder + garam masala + pepper + sea salt for this roasted cauliflower recipe, try using one of these 8 spice blends instead, with the same method.
- curry powder + ground turmeric + black pepper + sea salt
- curry powder + ground cumin + sea salt
- ground cumin + ground coriander + sea salt
- chili powder + garlic powder + sea salt
- garlic salt + ground turmeric + black pepper
- garlic powder + dried dill + sea salt
- taco seasoning
- sea salt only
🔪 Instructions
👨👩👦👦 Serving suggestions
These no oil roasted cauliflower bites pair nicely with a surprising array of meals, such as:
- Saag paneer (Indian spiced creamy spinach with tofu "paneer")
- Jeera rice (cumin seed basmati rice)
- Saag chana (Indian spiced creamy spinach with chickpeas)
- Green rice and lentil bowls
- Jamaican peas and rice
- In veggie wraps
- On top of mashed potatoes
- With yellow rice
❓ FAQ
It is likely because you cooked it too long or at a heat that is too low. To roast cauliflower pieces, I recommend a temperature of 400 F. Roast without much moisture only until crisp-tender.
Curry powder is a combination of ground spices, including but not limited to: ground turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground ginger, ground chili powder, ground black pepper and other spices. It is often added at the beginning of cooking to allow the flavors to bloom and deepen.
Garam masala is a warming blend of ground spices, including but not limited to: ground cinnamon, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cardamom, ground black pepper, ground cloves, ground nutmeg. It is often used at the end of cooking, but is also used throughout cooking.
☕️ Tea pairing
These roasted curried cauliflower bites are delicious paired with hot or iced chai tea latte!
🗺 Cultural influences
Let's talk curry for a minute.
The origin of curries (stews cooked with lots of spices, as well as often tomato puree and coconut milk) is India.
Through colonization and globalization, curries are now a native food in many countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and most of the Caribbean islands.
If you love intense flavors, you're bound to find a curry you love.
💜 More recipes you'll love
If you love this air fryer curried cauliflower recipe, check out these other plant-based air fryer recipes!
Love this recipe?
Please rate it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment below, so I know which recipes you like the best. This helps me know what to make more of!
📖 Recipe
Roasted Curried Cauliflower (oil-free)
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower cut into medium pieces/florets (about 2 pounds)
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Rinse and drain, but do not dry the cauliflower florets. The small amount of water clinging to the cauliflower will help the spices stick.
- Spread cauliflower out in a single layer on baking tray. Sprinkle all the spices over the cauliflower, then stir with a spoon or spatula to coat.1 cauliflower, 1 teaspoon curry powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala, ½ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, stopping to stir halfway through cooking. They are done when the cauliflower is fork tender and just starting to brown on the edges. *See Notes for heat and time adjustments, if using an air fryer or frozen cauliflower.
Christina says
Hello,
I just came across your website when I searched for oil-free curry cauliflower. I’m so glad I did! I made this in the air fryer and it’s delicious! I’m eating it right off the basket and need to stop so there’s some left for dinner! ; )
Thanks so much for the great, healthful recipe! I’m looking forward to trying more.
Abi Cowell says
Hi Christina,
I do the same thing! Eat it straight out of the oven, I can't resist. 😆 So glad you enjoyed that recipe.
All the best,
Abi