Roasted Spicy Cauliflower
Roasted Spicy Cauliflower is an easy side dish where cauliflower is roasted with olive oil, spicy Aleppo Pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. And if you like the idea of roasted cauliflower with spicy flavors, you’re going to swoon over this recipe!
Click here to PIN Roasted Spicy Cauliflower!
Roasted cauliflower season is here! And this Roasted Spicy Cauliflower is a recipe I loved from the first time I made it. Then a few years ago it got popular on Pinterest, so I updated the photos. And since then this has been one of my favorite side dishes featuring spicy cauliflower!
The original recipe simply called for red pepper flakes, and I had a few different types. But when I updated the photos I was excited to use the Aleppo Pepper that a fellow blogger introduced me to many years ago. Now Aleppo Pepper is something I always have on hand. But use any spicy red pepper flakes you prefer if you don’t have Aleppo Pepper.
And it’s obvious that I’m a roasted cauliflower fan, isn’t it? I think any kind of vegetable baked on a sheet pan is the perfect winter side dish. If you like the idea of spicy cauliflower, this might become one of your favorite ways to cook it. I hope you try the recipe!
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What ingredients do you need for this recipe?
(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe with ingredient amounts.)
- large head cauliflower
- Olive Oil (affiliate link)
- red pepper flakes; I would use Aleppo Pepper (affiliate link) but use any red pepper you have
- salt
- fresh ground black pepper to taste
What is Aleppo Pepper?
Aleppo Pepper is a type of flaked hot red pepper that originted in Aleppo, Syria. It’s only slightly spicy, with a hint of saltiness and a slightly raisin-like flavor. Burci, the blogger who first shared this with me said “You can use this semi moist, delicious smelling, hot, flaked red pepper while cooking or sprinkle it on your foods.” I loved Aleppo pepper from the first time I tried it. Flash forward quite a few years and I went to Turkey where I stocked up on this type of pepper that’s grown there. You can buy Aleppo Pepper from Amazon.com (affiliate link), or use any type of spicy red pepper flakes you prefer.
How spicy is this roasted cauliflower?
This recipe only calls for one teaspoon of red pepper flakes, which is enough to make it moderately spicy. You can use more or less red pepper flakes to taste.And remember, you can always add more red pepper at the table!
How low in carbs is this spicy cauliflower?
This delicious cauliflower side dish has only 3 net carbs per serving, with 4 grams of protein!
How to Make Roasted Spicy Cauliflower:
(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)
- Preheat oven to 400F/200C.
- Cut up a large head of cauliflower and toss with olive oil, Aleppo Pepper (affiliate link) or other red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Spread cauliflower out on baking sheet and roast until it’s softened to your liking and golden brown.
- I usually cook this 25-30 minutes to get it well-browned, but I would start to check after 20 minutes.
- Serve Roasted Spicy Cauliflower hot and enjoy.
That’s all there is to this easy recipe, but the flavor is really a WOW! And I think is a delicious side dish any time of year!
Make it for a Low-Carb Meal:
This spicy cauliflower side dish would taste great with any of these low-carb main dishes:
- Marinated Chicken Thighs
- Grilled Lamb Kabobs
- Saffron Chicken with Parsley and Lemon
- Air Fryer Shrimp
- Chicken and Green Bean Sheet Pan Meal
Want more ideas for roasted cauliflower?
Check out my collection of Flavorful Roasted Cauliflower Recipes to see my make-over-and-over ideas for cauliflower.
Roasted Spicy Cauliflower
Roasted Spicy Cauliflower is a delicious and easy way to cook cauliflower for a flavorful, slighly spicy side dish. If you like roasted cauliflower and enjoy spicy flavors, you're going to love this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower, cored and cut into florets
- 2 T extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp. red pepper flakes, more or less to taste (see notes)
- pinch of salt
- fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F/200C.
- Placed cut up cauliflower, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper into mixing bowl and stir well to combine and coat cauliflower with oil and red pepper.
- Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer on a heavy baking sheet or baking dish.
- Roast until cauliflower is softened to your preference and starting to get golden brown.
- I cook this about 25-30 minutes to get it nicely browned, but I would start to check after 20 minutes.
- Serve the Roasted Spicy Cauliflower hot, and enjoy.
Notes
I would make this with Aleppo Pepper, which is flavorful and only slightly spicy. You can buy Aleppo pepper at Amazon.com (affiliate link), If you use other hot pepper flakes you have on hand, remember that some will be much spicier than the Aleppo Pepper.
This recipe is from The South Beach Diet Quick and Easy Cookbook; I actually made it just as the recipe is written with the change of using Aleppo Pepper.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 111Total Fat 8gSaturated Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 0mgSodium 65mgCarbohydrates 8gFiber 5gSugar 4gProtein 4g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.
Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Roasted Spicy Cauliflower is a perfect side dish for any low-carb or Keto eating plan as well as for any phase of the original South Beach Diet. And it’s also gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, so you can make this for anyone who likes cauliflower!
Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Side Dishes to find more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.
Historical Notes for this Recipe:
This easy recipe for spicy cauliflower that’s roasted at high heat and kicked up with red pepper flakes was first posted in 2007! It was updated with new photos in 2016 and was last updated with more information in 2026.
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31 Comments on “Roasted Spicy Cauliflower”
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Excellent recipe – loved it! Served it with Caramelized Chili Shrimp. Very easy to make and great recipe.
So glad you liked it!
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these recipies sound so good
Like you, I am a big fan of cauliflower, especially roasted, so bring on the recipes! I may try ordering Aleppo pepper on Amazon and give it a try.
Hi Chessie,
Aleppo pepper is good on so many things, I hope you do try it!
Looks delicious- I love cauliflower!
Thanks Lori! I’m a huge cauliflower fan as well!
This is my favourite way to eat cauliflower and in fact it’s the only way I can get my husband to eat it!
So glad you have enjoyed it!
Hi Pat,
Fun hearing from you after all this time! Hope you're doing well.
Hey, Kalyn, you'll never believe that I remembered this fabulous recipe from lo these many years ago because it was SO GOOD and I've lost my copy. I'm thrilled to find it here again. This one deserves an honorable mention on your front page to acquaint all your newer readers with its delicious healthy wonderfulness.
Hope 2010 is treating you well!
PatL
Kalyn – Yes, try Aleppo on tuna. I’ve done just Aleppo and salt, and I’ve also marinated with soy, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, etc and then sprinkled with Aleppo and sesame seeds before cooking. I’ve also added Aleppo to my falafel with great results. I think maybe I need to start my own blog to expound on this beautiful pepper.
Pille, the bit of spiciness is great in this!
Gattina, I’m betting the red pepper at the Turkish restaurant was the same as this.
Tanna, great. You’ll love it.
Jennifer, thanks for the feedback. I’m so glad you like it.
Chigiy, I just adore roasted cauliflower in any form. This is just a great variation.
I love roasted veggies, but I never roast cauliflower. This recipe will give me an excuse to try it. Thanks.
We made the cauliflower recipe tonight, it was awesome! I was sorry that I only made half the head (as we were eating salad and chicken as well). I could easily sit and eat the whole dish. It was phenomenal, it will be going on my favorites list.
I think I’ve found a local store that carries the Aleppo Pepper today!
very interesting post Kalyn! I can’t tell the differences between different red peppers … my taste buds waving white flag… but your/Burcus discription brought me back some good memery when I dined at a Turkish restaurant 🙂
I’ve roasted cauliflower with salt and pepper, and really loved it. Time to spice it up a little:)
Vicki, I *love* the idea of using this pepper on Tuna. Will try it for sure.
Bradley, try it. This was great.
Chris, get some cauliflower ASAP!
Looks fab! It is so weird because I have been seeing a bunch cauliflower recipes lately – all of a sudden! (I think I missed the memo and will run out to buy a head immediately.) It is just so yummy – Thanks for this recipe!
Great looking recipe. I am always struggling to find new ways to add veggies to dinner. Cauliflower was never a nature go to veggie but the color looks great!
Hi Kalyn –
I got my Aleppo from Penzeys, and it’s my new favorite pepper. It’s especially good on seared ahi. I usually roast my cauliflower with garlic and then toss with parsley and parmesan, I’ll have to try it with the Aleppo.
Asha, I bet cumin would be good on this. Will try it!
Katie, I think Penzeys will mail anywhere in the world if you want to get some there. It might not be quite a great as what Burcu sent me, but there stuff is pretty good quality. Glad to hear you liked the chicken.
HT (aka Lisa) You are soooo lucky to work close to Penzeys.
Burcu, thanks for the offer to keep replenishing my supply. I do agree that it’s very special. I just love it. When I get home I’m going to edit and add the link you gave me, Thanks!
Meeta, I really loved it.
Yes! I love Cauliflower and am always on the look out for new and interesting recipes. Great one Kalyn.
I almost forgot; i loved baked cauliflower recipe. Definitely try with red pepper.
Kalyn, I’m gald you like the pepper. I’ll be back in Turkey this August and will absolutely bring you more, so no need to use them sparingly.
Back in Turkey I had no idea how special pepper flakes were until I came here and could not find the same flavor. This site (http://www.savoryspiceshop.com/spices/chilurfa.html) says it’s the sweating process that gives isot pepper its unique flavor. Whatever it is, I love it. Thanks for writing about it!
I’ll have to head over to Penzey’s at lunch and see if they have this pepper. Never had it but I’m always up for new spicy flavors!
I’ve roasted cauliflower but never with red pepper! It looks delicious – such lovely color. Now, If I can only find the red pepper…..
And I loved ‘Janet’s Mustard Chicken’
Looks delicious Kalyn!!Throw in some cumin pd in there to make it even more flavorful!:))