Baked Italian breaded cauliflower bites… I bet you can’t eat just one.
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Valentine’s Day yesterday. Mine was on the quiet side. It was a little bit of a snowy day, so it was a good day to stay inside and stay cozy. Mike being the romantic that he always is made a special Valentine’s Day card. I baked him a strawberry cream cheese strudel, which didn’t turn out very pretty, but it was, at least, yummy. Homemade is always better; don’t you think?
I love fried foods, but I have been really trying to eat healthier. I had mentioned at the beginning of the year that I had made a couple of New Year’s resolutions. One of them was to eat healthier. Yeah, I know like everyone else. But I have been trying really hard, not saying that I am doing a great job all the time, but I think I am getting there.
Anyway, yep I love my fried foods, but I really have been trying my best not to eat so much of it. I had a craving for something fried, crunchy and delicious this weekend. This is where the baked Italian breaded cauliflower bites come in. There not fried, they are baked, but they have a nice crunchy outside and the cauliflower is tender in the inside.
I made these baked breaded cauliflower bites as a side dish to go along with our dinner, but you could use them as an appetizer or just something to snack on. The coating has Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese with the bread crumbs. I served them with a marinara dipping sauce.
They are simple to make and they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. My son Adam who normally doesn’t eat cauliflower took a second helping of these baked Italian bread cauliflower bites.
Baked not fried always better!
Ingredients
- 1 small head cauliflower
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 eggs beaten
- 2 to 3 tablespoons water
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Non-stick cooking spray
- Marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425. Line a baking dish with aluminum foil and spray with a non-stick cooking spray.
- Cut the cauliflower into bite-size pieces. Wash the cauliflower and dry completely.
- Set up your working station, adding the flour to a small bowl, beat the eggs and water in another bowl, and then adding the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning in the last bowl.
- Coat the cauliflower with flour, followed by dipping them in the egg, and then in the bread crumbs. Continue this process until all of the cauliflower is coated and placed in the baking dish. Be sure not overcrowd the cauliflower and place only one layer on the baking dish.
- Spray the cauliflower lightly with the non-stick cooking spray
- Place in a preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until they are golden brown and cauliflower is fork tender.
- Serve with marinara sauce
WOW! They look amazingly delicious. Can’t wait to try this yummy recipe!
Oh, yes, these cauliflower bites sure look tasty! I try to avoid fried foods—because once I start, it’s so hard to stop! This is a great alternative!
These sound delicious, Dawn! Like you, I love fried foods, and like you, I’m trying to be a little better with my diet right now…so the fact that these are baked gets a bonus point in my book. Sounds like you guys had a great Valentine’s Day, too. Nice and quiet…just the way we like it here!
I love doing cauliflower in the oven like this! Usually roast it as a side, but love the idea of these bites. Really clever — thanks!
Cauliflower is the most versetile ingredient… And every one loves it i guess… I just love the way you used cauliflower here. I never used marinara sauce before.. Have to try
Look soo good Dawn, we love cauliflowers !
I have to try this recipe!!
They look super duper delicious!
Oh, these look fun! I finally bought a small electric deep fryer about 6 years ago and I still haven’t used it. This just might be the recipe!
You’re right – I wouldn’t eat just one – I would eat that whole bowl! I love cauliflower – these look soooo good!