Growing up, most of my dinners included a vegetable on the side. Sure, we had one-dish meals where the vegetable was included, and very occasionally veggies were neglected entirely – but there was usually a decent serving of produce on my plate. Sometimes that side was a real dish, like green beans amandine or a nice spinach salad, but there were also plenty of times where it was “just” steamed veggies.
And I was totally okay with that. Steamed broccoli and cauliflower have been two of my favorite foods for as long as I can remember. All that is to say that I have never really understood why people would talk about hating broccoli. I loved it. And bored by cauliflower? That’s a thing?
Recently, though, it seems like people are finally starting to appreciate cauliflower. And, well, it’s about freaking time. I never would have expected to want to do “crazy” stuff like make cauliflower pizza crust put it in pasta sauce or use it as rice, but now I’m all for it. Gotta love adding some extra veggies into your life 🙂
So about having more veggies in your life… do you snack on veggies? I always set plates of them out at parties, and I occasionally grab a bag of carrots and go to town, but vegetables are not always my first snack choice, even though I describe myself as a veggie-lover.
And when you think of vegetable-packed snacks, what do you think of? Crudités and hummus? Celery and nut butter? Cucumbers and cheese?
Those are great. I love those. But do you ever want something a little different? Maybe a little more interesting?
I do.
And that is where all the recent love for cauliflower helps out a lot. Like I said, I grew up with steamed cauliflower and the occasional bite of raw cauliflower on a veggie plate. Nothing too fancy. But the reason some people call cauliflower “boring” is the very thing that makes it the perfect canvas for creativity. That is, it doesn’t have a very strong flavor on its own.
So let’s make it taste like pizza. Because who doesn’t like pizza?
These cauliflower pizza poppers could not be easier. Take some crumbled cauliflower, and toss it with Parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic powder, some cracker crumbs, and any other spices you deem necessary before mixing in some whisked eggs. Scoop –> bake –> devour. They make a great party snack or appetizer, and they’re also a nice snack to keep in the fridge for the week.
The cauliflower lends awesome stuff like vitamins B6, C, and K, folate, choline, potassium, and fiber. The cheese and Italian spices lend the pizza flavor. And you have an interesting, delicious, veggie-packed snack. It doesn’t get much better than that.
- 2 c. cauliflower crumbles*
- 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 c. crumbled crackers or breadcrumbs**
- 1 t. dried oregano
- 1/2 t. garlic powder
- 1/8 t. onion powder
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- Cooking spray or oil mister
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Microwave cauliflower crumbles until soft but not mushy, about 2 minutes.
- Add grated Parmesan, cracker crumbs, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper (if using - see notes) to the cauliflower crumbles and mix.
- Ensure cauliflower has fully cooled so you don't scramble the eggs, and then add the whisked eggs to the cauliflower mixture. Gently stir to completely cover the cauliflower mixture in egg.
- Scoop the cauliflower in mounds onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. I used a tablespoon to ensure they were all about the same size and would bake evenly.
- Spritz the bites with cooking spray or oil in a mister.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes. Cauliflower bites will be lightly browned and should hold together nicely. Mine took exactly 15 minutes.
- Serve warm with pizza sauce! I also really enjoy them straight out of the fridge. They keep refrigerated in an airtight container for about a week.
- *I used Green Giant Cauliflower Crumbles - but you can buy a head of cauliflower and throw it into a food processor until it is finely chopped!
- **I used 34 Degrees Cracked Pepper Crackers. If you use entirely unseasoned crackers or breadcrumbs, I highly suggest adding 1/4 to 1/2 t. black pepper and 1/8 t. salt, depending on your taste.
Do you snack on veggies?
How do you feel about plain steamed vegetables? What about pizza?
Are you having a Superbowl party? Whatcha serving?
Veggie snacking is my thing 😉 My brother and I always loved out veggies although sometimes my mom would serve us lima beans or corn and call that a veggies. To me, no, those are not “veggie” sides. That’s a bean and a starch 😛 Hahahaha!
LOL I agree.
I am obsessed with steamed veggies lately especially if there is dip. I actually go overboard sometimes and make too large a bowl, I need to reign that in haha.
These look delicious Ellen! What a great idea to dress up the cauliflower
Veggies + dip = perfect. Thanks, Ellie 🙂
These look REALLY good. I am definitely pinning them, Ellen!
Growing up canned green beans was the standard veggie side for us. At least the one I remember the best! Now I am a lover of all veggies 😀
Thanks so much, Kate! We had canned green beans a bit, too, but I always protested. 😉 I thought I hated green beans till I had fresh ones! Now, I’ll eat either, but I still prefer fresh 🙂
Oh, YUM!!! If my body didn’t hate me for having cheese and eggs, I would totally make these!! I do occasionally snack on veggies, but usually it’s broccoli and hummus. AKA broccoli as a vehicle (albeit a delicious one) for hummus. ? And of course I adore pizza (I can’t imagine not!) ?, though steamed veggies are not really my thing. I usually prefer lots of flavor, much my sister’s chagrin. ?
Hummus is awesome ? It’s been too long since I’ve had it!
Wow, this looks like an amazing way to have cauliflower. It’s not my FAVORITE by itself, but this looks like an amazing really creative way of using it. I would have never thought of this.
Thanks so much, Emily!
What an awesome appetizer and way to use cauliflower!!!! Perfect for game day 🙂
Thanks so much! 😀
Oooh these look SO good!!! Such a fun way to use cauliflower!
Thank you, Liz! 🙂