Cauliflower Popcorn Recipe (2025)

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Jewels

I approached this recipe tepidly as I would like to use nutritional yeast more, especially because of the high B12, but don't embrace the flavour so much. For this reason I only made 1/4 recipe but followed the recipe exactly (reduced to 1/4). The cauliflower was delicious. I baked it in my Air Fry toaster oven at 415 degrees air fry for 20 minutes and then at 400 for about 9 minutes with the panko. Served with bleu cheese dressing and Valentina hot sauce for my husband.

Gina Mersman

After trying this recipe I LOVE cauliflower. I was skeptical as I’m not a big fan of nutritional yeast. Hot out of the oven the toasted panko and crispy edges of the cauliflower just made this so yummy. I eat this cold as well with Italian dressing.

Amie

This is great! The cauliflower was mushy, but it was still fantastic. The flavor was unreal and I ate the entire 2 pounds in less than 24 hours. I will try and adjust some things to get it crispier, but regardless, I will make it again.

Marielle

I have not made this exact recipe, but I do roast cauliflower frequently. I am looking forward to trying the nutritional yeast and panko suggestion, it sounds delicious! However 450 degrees for 30 minutes is to long and too hot for cauliflower. 12-15 minutes total at 400 degrees is just about right for a perfect texture that doesn’t turn to an unappealing mush.

tammy

OMG - first time in 25 years that my husband actually finished the vegetable on the plate! Used parmesan since didn't have nutritional yeast and we live an hour + r/t form a store that might have nutritional yeast. Delicious.

Marieka

I made this but substituted almond flour for panko. It was pretty easy and very tasty! Timing seemed just right.

Susan

I am diabetic so I leave out the panko, but I add in some Everything Bagel seasoning, which doesn't exactly make it popcorn-esque but does make it delicious. I suppose I could add in whole wheat breadcrumbs, but they don't get as crisp as panko. Still, we do what we can. I love this recipe.

Gwen

Great recipe - be careful with the salt. First time was too salty for us. All the cauliflower skeptics wanted more!

Herb

I'm really surprised at the timing, and I see that other followers of this recipe have noted that the cauliflower is "mushy." Half an hour at 450 is just lunatic! When I make roasted cauliflower florets in general, I'm at 425 for 12-15 minutes total. So when I amended this for tonight, I put the panko on right off the bat, and ran the air fryer at 390 for 15 minutes. It was still pretty close to being overcooked, but not bad.

CGKohel

I am a great lover of nutritional yeast, I use it to season popcorn and make non-dairy "parmesan" cheese. I chose to use the cayenne pepper. It was a hit in my house.

Marieka

I made this with almond flour instead of panko. Turned out great and the timing was just right.

Karen NBvW

I have tried frozen Broccoli & unfortunately since both are evidently quick scalded B4 freezing they are just too 'mushy'

kristy

No, thanks. I followed all the instructions and the cauliflower is mushy and the Panko is a little too harsh and weirdly crunchy for the completely mushy cauliflower. Also, I agree with one other reviewer who said that there’s not a lot of flavor involved here. I can see what the recipe might be TRYing to do, but it is just not quite right. Something is missing. I probably won’t make this again. Thanks though.

Charity

This was delicious. Did bake it less time(12 minutes at 450) then 10 minutes with topping. Crunchy without having mushy cauliflower. I’m sure it would lend itself to some other spices if you prefer.

Cora

Has anyone tried this with broccoli, and of course cooking it for a shorter time? Thanks!

Christine

I was excited to try this recipe. While it was tasty, especially after adding powdered cheddar cheese, it came out a little soggy. I think I’ll try the recipe again but will use an air fryer.

Christy

When you know you need to eat your veggies but you want something naughty.I liked it with Ghee (thank you for suggesting alternative oil as I had JUST run out of olive oil!). 450 Convection, 10 minutes for each cooking phase. Cauliflower was not mushy - panko was crunchy but mostly had fallen off and I scooped it up as a crumble. I think it needs some kind of sauce - used Brooklyn Delhi Tomato Achaar - yum. It would be great with blue cheese dressing or something creamy as mentioned by others!

hamden

Try using truffle oil for the tablespoon mixed with the Panko: superb!

Rhonda K.

I made this according to the recipe and it was delicious! We ate it inside of one TV show and was sorry it was gone!

Donna

Made this for some friends last night as part of a "shared snack" get together. They loved it! Taste was great though the cauliflower was a little soggy (as mentioned by some other reviewers). Next time, and there will be a next time, I will try cooking a little less to try for a crispier texture.

Bo

Surprisingly yummy. The nutritional yeast adds a flavor that complements the cauliflower. Excellent texture. I'll add this to my roasting vegetables rotation.

eileeb b27

My husband and I ate the entire cauliflower! I served it over some leftover noodles tossed with olive oil, and it was great. We roast cauliflower all the time, but I cut it up much smaller than typical roasting, as directed in the recipe. The flaky yeast and Panko added a wonderful crunch.

Juliet

Works brilliantly in an air fryer in a fraction of the oven time

Pete

Followed the recipe, came out fine, not mushy. There wasn’t a lot of flavor, though. Gochugaru added at the table made it a winner.

Christi

Like many others, I loved this recipe. I think I will try reducing the cook time a little to hopefully get a dish that stays firmer and therefore seems crunchier longer.

Tender

MUCH too much oil in this recipe. The result was a queasy stomach and most of it in the garbage. Cauliflower only requires a tablespoon or so before popping it into the oven on the air-fryer setting.

Karen G

I had my doubts about nutritional yeast, too! But this was delicious. Agree with roasting for less time (I tossed on the panko plus a little Parmesan for good measure) as soon as cauliflower edges just turned golden); maybe 20 minutes total, with sampling throughout

ben

Nutritional yeast triggers my gout - users beware!

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Cauliflower Popcorn Recipe (2025)

FAQs

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

Soaking cauliflower florets in salted water before cooking helps to thoroughly clean and tenderize them so they can cook more evenly and absorb flavors better for a more tasty finish.

How many calories are in cauliflower popcorn? ›

Calories in Cauliflower Popcorn
Calories150.5
Potassium1,780.6 mg
Total Carbohydrate31.3 g
Dietary Fiber15.1 g
Sugars0.1 g
8 more rows

Do you need to boil cauliflower before eating? ›

The florets are great used raw in a salad or as part of a crudité selection served with dips. Cooked cauliflower florets keep their shape best when steamed (5-10 mins) – remember to place them upright in the steamer. It can also be boiled (takes 5-10 mins for florets; around 10 mins for a whole cauliflower).

How do you keep cauliflower from getting soggy? ›

"Be sure to give each floret a bit of room so that the they have space for airflow. I'd also recommend baking them on a silicone baking mat," says Blay. The edges will get much crispier than they would if you baked them on parchment paper.

How to get bugs out of cauliflower? ›

A bucket of salty water is the best way to get rid of bugs. That said, I've never had a problem with bugs in store-bought cauliflower. You need to completely submerge the head in water, so a bucket that can fit the whole head is best.

What happens if you don't wash cauliflower? ›

The natural nooks and crevices in broccoli and cauliflower are the perfect hiding spots for dirt, germs, and even little bugs. Get your cruciferous veggies squeaky clean by filling a sink with cold water and then soaking them for a few minutes.

Does cauliflower have carbs or sugar? ›

Cauliflower has a mild taste and is often used as a substitute for higher carb foods like potato and rice. One cup (107 g) of raw cauliflower contains 5 g of carbs, 2g of which are fiber.

Does cauliflower have more carbs than rice? ›

Both of these factors may reduce your calorie intake ( 4 ). In addition, cauliflower rice is low in carbs. It provides only 3 grams of net carbs per cup (107 grams) — 18 times fewer carbs than the same quantity of rice ( 1 , 2 , 3 ).

Why does cauliflower crust have so many calories? ›

As you can see, cauliflower crust contains a fair amount of protein. Its fat and carb counts may differ widely among brands, so be sure to read the nutrient label before choosing a product. The ingredients added to make cauliflower doughy means that it has far more calories, fat, sodium, and carbs than raw cauliflower.

Can you eat the green stuff on cauliflower? ›

You can eat cauliflower leaves. They're just as edible as the cauliflower stems or florets (the immature flowers of the plant) we usually cook up. They're also a versatile ingredient which adds tasty flavour to many dishes.

Why do you add milk to boiled cauliflower? ›

You can keep cauliflower's white color and enhance its sweetness by adding 1 cup of milk when cooking it. Add a cup of milk to the cooking water and bring it to a boil. Add the cauliflower pieces and allow the water to return to a boil; gently boil for 3 to 5 minutes.

Is cauliflower healthier raw or cooked? ›

Eating raw cauliflower provides maximum vitamin C content, but cooking cauliflower allows your body to absorb more nutrients, such as vitamin K and potassium. Roasting or steaming cauliflower brings out its natural flavors and adds a delightful texture.

Why do you soak cauliflower in salt water? ›

Because cauliflower is so porous, soaking it in a brine — which is just a combination of water and salt with optional seasonings — imparts tons of flavor without a lot of work.

Can dogs have cauliflower? ›

Yes, dogs can eat cauliflower in moderation, either raw or cooked. Cauliflower is a source of dietary fiber, vitamin K, and vitamin C for dogs. Some dogs may dislike the slightly bitter taste of cauliflower. Avoid cauliflower with seasonings or oils, as they can cause upset stomach.

How long will fresh cauliflower last in the refrigerator? ›

Moisture can lead to discoloration or decay of the cauliflower. You should also skip washing your cauliflower before storing it, but you should wash it once you're ready to use it. When properly stored, cauliflower can last up to three to five days in the fridge.

How long should you soak cauliflower in salt water? ›

Next, cut away the center stem using a knife. Next, transfer the florets to a colander and place them under running water to wash off the dirt and bigger bugs. After this, it is suggested to blanch them in salt water to kill bacteria and parasites for 10–20 minutes.

How much vinegar do you soak cauliflower in? ›

Produce with rough outer skin: Items such as broccoli, potatoes and cauliflower are a little harder to clean. Soak in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for 1 minute. For heads of cabbage or lettuce, it's best to separate the leaves first.

Does cauliflower soak up liquid? ›

Cooking with cauliflower rice - cannot use as a straight sub in recipes where rice is cooked in liquid because unlike normal rice, cauliflower rice does not need to absorb liquid to cook.

Should you wash cauliflower before baking? ›

Dry Cauliflower: Moisture from washing will cause this dish to steam. Buy prewashed florets or wash them the day before cooking if possible. Otherwise, shake it very well or even spin it a little at a time in a salad spinner until dry.

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