Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites Recipe (2024)

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Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites Recipe - topped with crispy bacon and cheddar cheese, these bites are a nice low-carb alternative to smashed potatoes. Serve as a side dish or a snack, you're going to love this recipe. Let me show you how easy these are to make.

Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites Recipe (1)

Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites Recipe (2)

Let's talk cauliflower for a few minutes before we get to this easy recipe. Did you know that raw cauliflower is 92% water? But yet when you eat it, it will fill you up! Cauliflower has slowly become the hero of a low-carb and keto diet for the past few years.

It is a very popular low-calorie, gluten-free alternative to rice and flour. You can "magically" turn a head of cauliflower into pizza crust, cauliflower rice and now even loaded smashed potato bites.

Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites Recipe (3)

Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites

Most of us have goals to eat healthier or maybe even lose a few of the pounds we gained over the holidays. With that being said, this recipe for Smashed Loaded Cauliflower BitesI'm sharing with you today will satisfy the craving inside of you for mashed potatoes without all the carbs and calories from a potato.

Make sure you enjoy this recipe with a fork! Based on the photo below, you would think this is the perfect finger food, but trust me, you should use a fork so you make sure you get all that yummy goodness.

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How to Boil Cauliflower

This recipe begins with boiling the cauliflower florets for just a few minutes. But first you need to separate the florets from the cauliflower head by cutting them from the core.

Then add the florets into a pot of boiling water. I always place a wooden spoon on top of a boiling pot of water to keep the water from boiling over the sides. It really does work.

It should only take about 5 minutes for the florets to become fork tender, then drain them in a colander. Then place them on top of a baking tray that's lined with paper towels so you can try very hard to get rid of the excess water. Remember when I said above that cauliflower is 92 percent water? Well, because we boiled the cauliflower, there's even MORE water.

Try to get the florets dry by letting them drain on the paper towels for a few minutes before proceeding with the recipe.

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Ingredients:

  • 1 large head of Cauliflower, cut into florets (about 3 cups)
  • 2 tbsp. Vegetable Oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 tsp. Garlic powder
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 6 slices Bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 tbsp. Finely Chopped Chives; optional
  • Sour cream; optional

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How to Make theCauliflower Bites

Place the cauliflower on top of the baking sheet lined with Parchment Baking Sheets.

Using a potato masher, gently smash the cauliflower florets. If you don't have a potato masher, you can use the bottom of a juice glass.

Brush each cauliflower floret with a little bit of the oil using apastry brush. Adding the oil helps crisp up the florets.Sprinkle with salt, pepper and the garlic powder.

Then top each smashed cauliflower floret with about 1 tablespoon of cheddar cheese and then a few pieces of the crumbled cooked bacon.

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How to BakeLoaded Cauliflower Bites

Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven until cheese is melted and crispy around the edges, about 10 minutes.

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How to ServeCauliflower Bites

Serve warm or at room temperature with sour cream and chives on the side.

Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites Recipe (9)

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @Lois_walkingonsunshinerecipes on Instagram and hashtag it #walkingonsunshinerecipes

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Serve this Recipe as the Perfect Side Dish to the Following Main Dish Recipes:

  • Hasselback Chicken Stuffed with Mozzarella, Tomatoes and Basil - another low-carb recipe!
  • Easy Beef Ramen Stir Fry - this is a budget friendly recipe ready in 20 minutes!
  • Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
  • Chicken Cutlets Italian Style - my family's favorite way to enjoy chicken.
  • Crock Pot Salsa Chicken- 2 ingredients, a crock pot and dinner is done!
  • Keto-Friendly Chicken Recipes
Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites Recipe (11)

Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites

Yield: 6 - 8 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Smashed Loaded Cauliflower BitesRecipe – topped with crispy bacon and cheddar cheese, these bites are a nice low-carb alternative to smashed potatoes. Serve as a side dish or a snack, you’re going to love this recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 large head of Cauliflower, cut into florets (about 3 cups)
  • 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 6 slices Bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 tbsp. finely Chopped Chives

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large pot of boiling water, cook cauliflower until fork tender, about 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
  3. Spread florets out in a single layer paper towels to allow to try to get all the water out of the cooked cauliflower.
  4. Then move the cauliflower to the top of the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  5. Using a potato masher, gently smash the cauliflower florets. If you don't have a potato masher, you can use the bottom of a juice glass.
  6. Brush each cauliflower floret with a little bit of the oil.
  7. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and the garlic powder.
  8. Then top each smashed cauliflower floret with about 1 tablespoon of cheddar cheese and then a few pieces of the crumbled cooked bacon.
  9. Bake until cheese is melted and crispy around the edges, about 10 minutes.
  10. Serve warm with sour cream and chives on the side.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 153Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 290mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 8g

The nutrition information is calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you, please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator.

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Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites Recipe (14)

Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

Why is my baked cauliflower soggy? ›

Crowding the cauliflower on the pan could make them cook up mushy and a bit soggy. Leave some space between the florets. Be sure not to use too much olive oil to cook them.

How do you keep cauliflower from getting soggy? ›

If you cut all the way through the floret, you're cutting through the cell structure of the curd — and when you cook it, that part will get mushy. Easier still: Place the larger florets on a baking sheet, sprinkle with a little olive oil and roast them. Michael Marks is the marketing manager for FreshPoint.

What happens when you add lemon juice to water when cooking cauliflower? ›

Helps retain color: Cauliflower can sometimes turn brown or lose its vibrant white color when cooked. However, the acid in lemon juice can help prevent discoloration and maintain the cauliflower's white appearance.

Why isn't my roasted cauliflower crispy? ›

Like all veggies, cauliflower needs some breathing room on the pan. Otherwise, the florets will produce so much steam that they'll never turn crisp on the edges. It's better to use two pans, arranged on separate racks near the middle of the oven, than to cram too much onto one pan.

What brings out the flavour of cauliflower? ›

There are two really simple techniques that bring out the best in cauliflower: grilling and pickling. Dumping cauliflower florets in a mixture of salt and lemon juice for 45 minutes to an hour turns them into spiky little flavor bombs, delivering high-pitched squeaks in salads, sandwiches or the stew recipe here.

Why are my cauliflower bites soggy? ›

Why are my cauliflower wings soggy? If your buffalo cauliflower bites are soggy, it's likely because they were not tossed with the sauce while hot. Be sure to add them to the bowl with the sauce as soon as they come out of the oven so that they stay nice and crispy.

What does soaking cauliflower in milk do? ›

When blanching or cooking cauliflower, keep it white by adding 1 cup of milk. The milk will also give the cauliflower a sweeter flavor.

How do you make mashed cauliflower less watery? ›

If you find that that the cauliflower you make is watery it's because you are not drying it out properly on the stove after it's boiled. The trick to the perfect cauliflower mash is to drain it really well and let that water evaporate in a pan on medium heat for 5-6 minutes before it's mashed.

How to get moisture out of cauliflower? ›

Transfer the riced cauliflower to the center of a clean dish towel. Arrange the towel filled with cauliflower over a small bowl, then squeeze as much liquid as you can out of the cooked cauliflower. It might not feel like there's excess moisture at first, but you may be surprised by how much liquid is released!

What goes with cauliflower bites? ›

The best side dishes to serve with buffalo cauliflower are coleslaw, spinach artichoke dip, chicken wings, cheese curds, fried shrimp, blooming onion, garlic bread, sweet potato fries, Greek salad, cucumber salad, baked mac and cheese, grilled vegetables, and cornbread.

What are the ingredients in wholly cauliflower bites? ›

Ingredients: Cauliflower, Panko coating (water, rice flour, pea protein, non GMO canola oil, dextrose, baking soda, yellow corn flour, rice flour, potato starch, rice starch, sea salt, sunflower oil, spices, yeast extract, ancho pepper powder, xanthan gum).

How long should I soak cauliflower in salt water? ›

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 long to soak cauliflower in vinegar water? ›

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.

Is it worth marinating cauliflower? ›

Mildly Marinated Cauliflower is the perfect balance of pickling spices. There's a sweet tang that children will love and don't hesitate to add it to salads.

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