Take your side dish to the next level with this cauliflower glazed with a miso sauce and then roasted to crispy perfection!
I’ve always had a love-hate, well actually mostly hate, relationship with cauliflower. I would look at it on veggie platters and think – YUCK! Do you know what I mean??
The one lovely evening last fall that all changed! I was having snacks and cocktails with a friend at Soho House here in Chicago. It was my first time there and she is a member, so I let her decide what we should order. She picked the Cauliflower Fritti. I’m pretty sure I made a face! She promised me I’d love it….I was pretty skeptical, but it turns out she was right!
Ever since that fall evening when I first had the Cauliflower Fritti, I’ve been thinking about how to make a version of the dish, so one cold weekend in January I started working on it. From the name of the inspiration dish, you might guess that the cauliflower I had at Soho was fried. Since I’m also focused on healthier food choices I decided roasting was the way to go. Turns out when you roast cauliflower it gets a nice slightly sweet taste that is super yummy!
I’ll admit, there were a few mishaps with this one, as getting the breading to stick to the cauliflower took a little bit of experimentation! Making the miso sauce somewhat sticky and individually dipping each piece in the panko let the cauliflower get nice and crispy, almost like frying, which is what I wanted to achieve. The result is super tasty and something I think you’ll want to make over and over again!
This miso glazed roasted cauliflower makes the perfect side dish that seems fancy but is really easy to make. At just over 30 minutes from start to finish, I often have it for dinner during the week when I don’t feel like doing a lot of cooking!
notes from the kitchen
- Cut the cauliflower into to medium-sized florets. It’s easier to dip them in the Panko if you don’t have too many and they get nice and crispy if they’s aren’t too large.
- Some of the miso glaze will sink to the bottom of the bowl, so when you are dipping the cauliflower in the panko be sure to use up that glaze to get an extra coating of miso on each floret!
- To ensure the cauliflower gets crispy, leave some space between each floret on the baking sheet. That 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.
- The miso glaze that gets on the baking sheet will get super crispy and a little burnt. I like to scrape this up and toss it on top of the cauliflower when serving, as it has a nice taste and adds a little crunch to the dish.
- If you are looking for another great side dish that will be a hit with your dinner guests check out these Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
things you may want for this recipe
Silicon 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, like these from Food52 are even dishwasher safe for easy clean-up.
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Take your side dish to the next level with this cauliflower glazed with a miso sauce then roasted to crispy perfection!
Ingredients
For the cauliflower:
- 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
For the dipping sauce:
- 1/4 cup crème fraîche
- 2 tablespoons mascarpone
- 1 teaspoon honey
- dash ground pepper
- pinch ground cumin
Instructions
Make the miso glaze:
- Combine the oils, mirin, honey, miso, ginger, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Mix with a small whisk or fork until the miso is fully incorporated into the sauce.
Roast the cauliflower:
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- Pour the panko into a dish with low sides.
- Add the cauliflower to a medium mixing bowl. Pour the miso glaze over the cauliflower and toss to coat.
- Once the cauliflower is coated with miso glaze take each floret and dip it into the panko, being sure to coat thoroughly. Place the coated floret on the baking sheet, leaving room between each one. Repeat until all fortes are coated.
- Roast for 20 minutes or until the florets are golden brown. Remove from oven and serve immediately with dipping sauce.
Make the dipping sauce:
- While the cauliflower is roasting, combine crème fraîche, mascarpone, honey, cumin and pepper in a small bowl. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3/4 cup
- Calories: 295
I have been trying to find new ways to incorporate cauliflower into our diet. This sounds really tasty and unique.
Oh, wow! These look amazing. Love that it can satisfy a good fried crunch in a healthy way!!
Your pictures are tempting,my son likes baked cauliflower flavours u used is amazing. I should try ur version sometime
I could see this recipe being my new favorite way to enjoy cauliflower! Oh so crispy and flavorful 🙂
Wow these look amazing! They look like the perfect snack or appetizer.
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I’m a huge cauliflower lover so this sounds right up my alley. I’ve turned cauliflower into so many things but never this. Will put this on the list of things to make 🙂
We love miso… in fact we love anything Japanese food.. Have never thought of miso glaze on cauliflower before.Yum. Can’t wait to try.
I’m glad you found a dish to change your mind about cauliflower! I’ve been obsessed with cauliflower recipes the last couple years, definitely adding this one to the list!
★★★★★
What a great way to eat cauliflower — a nice switch. I bet whenever you make it there isn’t a flower left! I’m pinning.
Yes, it pretty much disappears every time I make it!
Oh, that looks amazing. I’ve been looking for new ways to use cauliflower – that will do it!
Yaaaaaaas girl! I’ve had fried cauliflower and it rocked my world, but, obviously fried isn’t the most ideal way to eat your veggies. LOVE this crunchy version that’s a little healthier, but just as delicious. Gotta try this!
Thanks Karly. I tried to get it as close to the texture and crunch of fried as possible! Enjoy!!
I confess I am a cauliflower super fan. I try to eat it in so many ways and now I have found a new way to make it. Great recipe =)
★★★★★
My husband likes cauliflower. This one sounds flavorful. I bet he’d enjoy finding this on the table for dinner one night.
Wow, these look amazing! Perfect as a side dish or snack. Love that they’re healthy, too! Saving for later!
I’ve seen a few roasted cauliflower recipes lately and while they are interesting, they don’t tempt me. Your version is tempting me! I like the smaller bites and the sauce sounds perfect.
★★★★★
I love roasted cauliflower and in fact lately my boys don’t want to eat cauliflower any other way. Glazing them with miso is such a great idea. This dish combines two of my favorite ingredients, cauliflower and miso. I am bookmarking this to try soon.
I really liked your article, I just tried it at home and i made it perfect. Thank you
★★★★★
Thanks Alisa – I’m glad you liked it!
We love cauliflower! this looks totally yum and i love how you have served them beautifully with the sauce!! 🙂
What an amazing recipe to add some healthy into your diet .. Cauliflower is such an easy vegetable to add amazing flavor and crunch to .. your recipe looks to deliver on both!!
★★★★★
Thanks Heather!
I totally get where you’re coming from with your dislike for cauliflower. I started to like it about 4 years ago and now it’s a regular item on our grocery list. Baked cauliflower is better than anything on a veggie platter.
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who took a while to realize that roasted is the way to go! 🙂
What a fantastic flavor combination! We love cauliflower at our house and since it doesnt have any strong flavor on its own, the possibilities are endless. I’m bookmarking your recipe to try later.
Thanks Molly! I hope you enjoy it!
So I have always loved cauliflower, but my husband definitely does not. But in the past couple of years I have been trying my darndest to convert him and we finally realized he likes cauliflower rice. I’m thinking this might be the perfect dish to try him on next! I mean, breaded & roasted and dipped in that sauce? How could he NOT love it?
★★★★★
I’m kind of in love with this idea. I too have a bit of a love-hate relationship with cauliflower. I find raw cauliflower dry and dull, and it never really looks its best on a veggie platter. But it does some pretty incredible things when cooked, and you can do so much with it! Plus, I ADORE miso and I’m always looking for new ways to use it in my cooking. So yeah… I’m pretty intrigued by these tasty little bites. Heck, I bet I could even get my kids to eat them. 😀