Fried Cauliflower Recipe (2024)

Jan 11, 2024 by Tania Sheff · This post may contain affiliate links

Simple, tender, and seriously addictive, thisFried Caulifloweris a staple at my home. Made with only 4 ingredients, this tasty cauliflower treat makes a great snack or side dish. And it’s kid-friendly.

This simple Fried Cauliflower recipe is very popular in Ukraine. It's also a family favorite in my house. This crispy cauliflower is so flavorful and can be made as a main dish or a great appetizer. It's cooked in a shallow fry so it's got the crispness of deep-fried cauliflower without all the extra oil. It is cheap, simple, and very tasty. Just a winning combo, don’t you agree? And the parsley-garlic drizzle adds a heavenly aroma. Let’s have a bite!

Video Tutorial

How to select a cauliflower

You’ll want to make sure you buy a nice, fresh head of cauliflower for this recipe. When choosing cauliflower, look for an even white color and densely packed florets that are free of blemishes, browning, or wet spots. Take a look at the leaves. If they look fresh, that’s a good indicator that the cauliflower was recently harvested.

Ingredients needed

• Cauliflower.Raw cauliflower is best, as frozen will thaw mushy.
• Eggs.
• All-purpose flour.
• Oil.For frying. Any neutral oil will do, like olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil.
• Salt and black pepper.

How to make Fried Cauliflower

1. Break the cauliflower florets into medium-small pieces. Boil them in salted water for 7-9 minutes, depending on how large your pieces are. Drain and set aside.

2. Add flour into a small bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with some salt and pepper.

4. Dredge the cauliflower pieces in the flour mixture and then dip them into the egg mixture.

5. Add vegetable oil (about 4 tbsp.) to a large nonstick skillet. Fry the cauliflower over medium heat in the hot oil for 3-4 minutes per side, until it turns golden brown on each side. Remove with tongs or a slotted spoon and place the deep fried cauliflower pieces on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

6. Drizzle with garlic sauce (recipe below) if desired.

How to make Garlic Sauce

To make the garlic sauce, mix 1 tbsp. of minced garlic, 1 tbsp. of chopped parsley, 1 tbsp. of lemon juice, and 2 tbsp. of olive oil together.

How to store and reheat Fried Cauliflower

This fried cauliflower can be eaten warm or at room temperature. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge forup to 3 days. When ready to serve, pop them in the oven for10 minutes at 300F.

Helpful Tips

• Enjoy immediately.This cauliflower tastes best when it is consumed right after cooking. Serve these fried pieces of cauliflower immediately with some green onions or hot sauce.
• Add garlic.You can use my garlic sauce (recipe mentioned below) or just simply toss it with thinly sliced garlic to add extra aroma. Or you can use whatever your favorite sauce is.
• Add your favorite seasoning.If you have a seasoning that you love, you can season the cauliflower with it right before dredging in flour. Try garlic powder, parmesan cheese for a nutty flavor, red chili pepper flakes, or an extra pinch of salt.

If you want to bake it

If you'd prefer to bake these cauliflower bites instead of frying you can do that. I would recommend covering them with Panko breadcrumbs after dipping them in the egg mixture. Bake at 400F for about 15 minutes, until the breadcrumbs turn golden. You can also bake them in the air fryer so as to use less oil.

What to serve with Fried Cauliflower

• As is.Just drizzle it with the Garlic Sauce mentioned in the recipe and enjoy!
• With dipping sauce.Just dip this goodness into your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy! I especially enjoyChermoula Saucewith it. Here is a nice article:The 12 Dipping Sauce Recipes to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again
• Make a Buddha Bowl.If you like to create Buddha Bowls, this Fried Cauliflower would make a great addition.
• As side a dish.You'll enjoy it next to yourCajun Salmon,Spinach Stuffed Chicken, orIceberg Lettuce Salad.

Please, let me know how you liked this recipe by leaving a comment or a star rating. Printable recipe and nutrition information are located in the recipe card right below!

You'll also love these cauliflower recipes:

• Basic Cauliflower Fritters
• Cauliflower Gnocchi
• Whole Roasted Cauliflower
• Creamy Cauliflower Steaks
• Cauliflower Steaks with Marinara