Crispy Smashed Cauliflower a delectable dish that goes with almost everything, and if you're looking for a new, exciting, healthier side, this is it! It's the perfect low-carb alternative to potatoes and with essentially one ingredient, the flavor is nothing short of spectacular!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time50 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: great for Thanksgiving, unique vegan sides, best low-carb recipes
Prepare the cauliflower. If you've purchased a head of cauliflower, wash and dry it, and then cut and break into into small florets. (The weight of 1½-pounds is the weight of just the florets.)Add the florets to a large mixing bowl, drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Mix to coat all of the pieces with the oil.
Begin roasting. Pour the cauliflower florets onto a rimmed baking sheet and spread them out evenly. Place it in the preheated 375°F oven for 20 minutes. Remove the pan and use a flat-bottomed spatula to flip the pieces over. Roast for another 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn the temperature up to 475°F.
Smash. Use a smooth meat mallet or the bottom of a your smallest sauté pan to gently press down on the florets. They will become evenly flat on both sides and should be about ½-inch thick. Return them to the now 475°F oven and roast until the bottoms are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Then flip them over and continue to roast until golden brown on the other side, about another 10 minutes.