Miso Glazed Roasted Cauliflower

Name: Miso Glazed Roasted Cauliflower
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups cauliflower florets; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 tablespoon mirin (sweet rice wine); 1 tablespoon honey; 1 tablespoon white miso; 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon sea salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper; 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup crème fraîche; 2 tablespoons mascarpone; 1 teaspoon honey; dash ground pepper; pinch ground cumin

Published: Feb 22, 2024 by Kathryn Rudey

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Take your side dish to the next level with this cauliflower glazed with a miso sauce and then roasted to crispy perfection!

Crispy roasted cauliflower with a miso glaze on a black matte plate

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Many people have a love-hate relationship with cauliflower. I fall into that category, however, I've learned that when it's roasted at high heat, cauliflower becomes an extremely tasty side dish!

The inspiration for this dish comes from the Cauliflower Fritti that used to be on the bar menu at Soho House in Chicago. It's the dish that completely changed my perception of cauliflower so I was determined to create a version of it that could be easily made at home.

This is the perfect recipe to add to your everyday meals recipe collection. Continue reading to learn more about how to make this Miso Roasted Cauliflower, or jump straight to the recipe to start cooking!

Close up of crispy miso roasted cauliflower with a swirl of dipping sauce on a black matte plate

Contents:

Why you’ll love this recipe
Recipe Ingredients
Pro tips for making roasted cauliflower
How to make this recipe
Frequently asked questions
Tools you'll want for this recipe
Serving suggestions
More great side dishes
Miso Glazed Roasted Cauliflower

Why you’ll love this recipe

This miso glazed roasted cauliflower makes the perfect side dish that seems fancy but is very easy to make.
At just over 30 minutes from start to finish, I often include it in my weekday dinner menu, especially when I want something that isn't too complicated.
You can pre-make the miso glaze a few days ahead of time so all you have to do is toss and roast the cauliflower.

Recipe Ingredients

The full list of ingredients & measurements is provided in the Recipe Card below.

Cauliflower: You'll want one medium-sized head of cauliflower.
White miso: I prefer white over red miso for this recipe. In most grocery stores you'll find miso in the refrigerated area of the produce section.
Mirin: This is also known as sweet rice wine, but not to be confused with rice wine vinegar, which has a completely different flavor. It can be found in the Asian products aisle at most major grocery stores.
Panko breadcrumbs: The panko breadcrumbs are what gives this dish its texture. I use them almost exclusively for breading as they provide a nice crunch that other types of breadcrumbs don't.
Crème fraîche: If you need to substitute, sour cream is an option here though the sauce will have a slightly different taste due to the sour cream being tangier.
Mascarpone: You'll usually find this in the cheese section at most grocery stores.
Spices: Ground ginger, ground cumin
Pantry staples: Olive oil, sesame oil, honey, sea salt, ground pepper

Bowl of cauliflower florets, and small bowls of other recipe ingredients

Pro tips for making roasted cauliflower

Cut the cauliflower into medium-sized florets. It's easier to dip them in the panko when they are not too small, and they get nice and crispy when they aren't too large.

Leave space on the baking sheet. To ensure the cauliflower gets crispy, leave some space between each floret on the baking sheet. This allows it to get crispy on all sides instead of starting to steam which is what can happen if the florets are too close together.

Don't toss the cauliflower in the panko. I know it's tempting to cut down on time, but individually dipping the glazed cauliflower florets yields the best results. I did a bit of experimentation with how to get the breading to stick. Dipping them individually gives you a nice crispy result, almost like they are fried.

How to make this recipe

The full printable recipe card is below, but let’s walk through the details before you get started.

I love this dish because it's quick and easy enough to make on a weeknight. The whole process only takes 35 minutes and more than half of that is time the cauliflower will be in the oven.

Step 1 | Make the glaze. You start this dish by combining the miso with the oils, mirin, honey, ginger, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Mix with a small whisk or fork until the miso is fully incorporated into the sauce.

Step 2 | Glaze the cauliflower. Then you'll add the cauliflower florets to a large bowl and pour the miso glaze over the top. Toss the cauliflower until all the florets are coated with glaze.

Cauliflower florets with miso glaze poured over them

Cauliflower florets tossed with miso glaze

Step 3 | Bread the cauliflower. Once you've tossed the florets in the glaze, you'll dip each one in panko breadcrumbs to coat the top of the floret. Then place the floret on a baking sheet. Repeat this process until they are all coated with breadcrumbs.

Miso glazed cauliflower florets on a baking sheet before roasting

Step 4 | Roast the cauliflower. The breaded, glazed cauliflower florets then go into the oven to roast for about 20 minutes. You want them to turn golden brown. Some of the glaze may start to burn a bit on the edges and that is fine, just don't let it get too burnt.

Individual crispy roasted cauliflower florets on a baking sheet

Step 5 | Make the dipping sauce. While the cauliflower is roasting, combine the creme fraiche, mascarpone, honey, cumin and ground pepper in a small bowl. Mix well then refrigerate until you are ready to use it.

MAKE-AHEAD TIP

You can make the miso glaze ahead of time so when you're ready to cook you just have to toss the cauliflower in the glaze and then coat it with panko.

Frequently asked questions

How do I store roasted cauliflower?

After the cauliflower cools, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. Keep the sauce separate from the cauliflower.

I recommend reheating in either a conventional or toaster oven so you get the crispiness back after being refrigerated.

Tools you'll want for this recipe

Silicone Baking Mats - I've only recently gotten into using these but have discovered they are a lifesaver. Just line your baking sheet with one and they keep all the sticky, gooey stuff off of your baking pans. Depending on the type, the mats may develop some discoloration, but they still work just fine. Many are even dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up!

Half sheet jelly roll pan - These sheet pans are a must in the kitchen. You can use them for everything from roasting veggies to baking cookies.

Serving suggestions

If you are looking to create a complete meal try serving this roasted cauliflower with these Open-Faced Grilled Steak Sandwiches or this Pork Tenderloin with Merlot Cherry Sauce.

And if you want to do something different, the glazed cauliflower makes a great replacement for the traditional side of fries with this Caramelized Onion Gruyere Burger!

More great side dishes

If you are looking for another great side dish that will be a hit with your dinner guests check out:

Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts. High heat and some oil give you extra crispy brussels spouts.
Roasted Carrots with Cumin & Honey. This is another unique side dish with a great flavor profile that's still easy enough to make to accompany your weeknight meal.
Smashed Potatoes with Sage & Pancetta. This is a unique take on roasted potatoes that gets an extra pop from the crisp pancetta and the sage sauce.

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