Easy Spiced or Cheesy Cauliflower Popcorn

Here’s a delicious way to add vegetables to any snack or meal. Cauliflower popcorn is a fun finger food that you can season exactly as you like. Add your favorite spices in whichever combinations you like. Choose parmesan cheese or skip the cheese if you prefer. 

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Unlike popcorn shrimp or fried cauliflower, this recipe doesn’t involve high-carb breading or excess fats from frying. Instead, just toss cauliflower florets in spices and bake them. Add cheese at the end, and enjoy!

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Making this recipe can be a kid-friendly activity. To speed it up, use store-bought cauliflower florets, Otherwise, you can cut up the head of cauliflower yourself before getting children involved. Everyone can enjoy this as a snack instead of buttered popcorn to reduce carbs and saturated fat. It can also be a great way to get more vegetables when you serve it as a side dish.

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Recipe for Easy Spicy or Cheesy Cauliflower Popcorn

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients: 

• 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into small florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and onion powder
• ½ teaspoon of your choices of paprika, cumin, chili powder, and turmeric
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease a baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
3. Spread the cauliflower florets on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through, until the cauliflower is golden brown and crispy on the edges.
4. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the hot cauliflower right after baking.
5. Serve warm as a snack or as a side dish next to protein.

Nutrition information per serving: 110 kcal; 7 g total fat; 1 g saturated fat; 220 mg sodium; 5 mg cholesterol; 10 g total carbohydrates; 4 g dietary fiber; 3 g sugar; 4 g protein.

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