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    Home > Food > Roasted Purple Cauliflower

    Roasted Purple Cauliflower This vibrant veggie is naturally this deep purple color and unlike artificially dyed purple food, it's good for you!

    August 7, 2020 by gritsandgouda 4 Comments

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    Look at this gorgeous Roasted Purple Cauliflower! It's naturally this vibrant deep purple color and so quick and easy to make and healthy. This simple side dish is a show stopper vegetable for sure but white cauliflower can be substituted. It's in peak season around August and often available in larger markets for your holiday table. Air Fryer cooking option!

    Roasted Purple Cauliflower in a white bowl on light wooden surface

    When and where can I buy this vibrant veggie

    Purple and orange cauliflower are in peak season in the late summer and fall months but it's possible to find it year round in California and larger markets like Whole Foods. Farmers markets often carry it but you will need to be first in line because they don't last long.

    Purple food is just fun to eat and purple cauliflower is good for you! Bonus!

    How is purple cauliflower naturally purple?

    Purple food, especially baked goods and sweets, are often artificially colored or dyed. Not purple cauliflower! It is naturally this vibrant hue of purple thanks to an antioxidant called anthocyanin. It's the same antioxidant found in red cabbage and red wine.

    Orange cauliflower, on the other hand, is genetically modified to allow the plant to hold more beta carotene.

    I bet if you were to roast white and purple cauliflower together and call it Unicorn Trees, kids everywhere would be eating more cauliflower!

    This recipe is simple but the key to getting the browned edges is to be patient and not turn them until you see the edges turn a little more than golden.

    Don’t be tempted to stir too soon! It needs the high heat, undisturbed to achieve the brown edges.

    Can I roast cauliflower in an air fryer?

    Yes! I have a Ninja 1550 Watt air fryer and one batch (half the recipe) roasts in just 6 minutes!

    Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes. Toss the cauliflower florets in oil, salt and pepper. Place half the cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

    Set timer for 6 minutes and set Air Fry setting for 6 minutes. It will turn out crispy on the edges, tender on the inside: roasted veggie perfection!

    I show you how to make it in the air fryer on the video below.

    Watch my tv segment on WBRC's Good Day Alabama

    Kathleen Phillips and Janice Rogers make Roasted Purple Cauliflower on WBRC's Good Day Alabama

    Does purple cauliflower change color when cooked?

    Yes. It turns a darker hue of purple. On the left is a raw head of purple cauliflower. On the right is a head I blanched for 1 minute.

    Raw and blanched heads of purple cauliflower side by side. Blanched is darker on the right side.

    What are the darker spots on my cauliflower?

    First of all, it's not mold. It's simply oxidation discoloring on the surface of the head of cauliflower. It happens naturally the longer the vegetable is stored. It is harmless but, I agree, not appetizing. Simply cut off the discolored parts of the head.

    To help reduce the rapid spread of the oxidation, make sure the cauliflower head is dry when stored and in a tightly closed bag or container.

    The dark spots don't show up as prominently on the purple cauliflower as it does on white cauliflower.

    If I can't find purple cauliflower can I use white?

    Absolutely. All colors of cauliflower can be used interchangeably with no adjustments needed.

    Can I freeze purple cauliflower?

    Yes! All cauliflower freezes well-no matter the color. The trick is to blanche the florets in boiling water for 30 seconds first, then pat them dry with paper towels before freezing them.

    Cauliflower florets hold their texture much better quick freezing them on a sheet pan rather  than just sealing them in a ziplock bag. Let them cool and dry on a kitchen towel, then freeze in a single layer on a sheet pan.

    Then, pack them in a freezer zip top bag or freezer container. This way, you don't have a frozen lump and can pull out individual florets in any amount as you need them.

    Pinterest image for Roasted Purple Cauliflower

    Other veggie recipes you may love

    How to Make Southern Fried Yellow Squash

    Oven-Fried Okra

    Beans and Greens: Instant Pot Collard Greens and Navy Beans

    Perfect Every Time Fried Green Tomatoes

    Other purple recipes you may love

    Purple Cauliflower and Broccoli-Raisin Salad

    Purple Sweet Potato Magic Cake

    Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Be social and share, y'all! Don't forget to sign up with your email so you don’t miss a single post on my Southern shortcut recipes!

    Roasted Purple Cauliflower in a white bowl
    Print Recipe
    4.8 from 5 votes

    Roasted Purple Cauliflower

    You can opt for white cauliflower or broccoli if purple is not available. Don’t be tempted to stir too soon! It needs the high heat, undisturbed to achieve the brown edges.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 45kcal
    Author: Kathleen Phillips | GritsAndGouda.com
    Cost: 2
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • sheet pan

    Ingredients

    • Half of one large head cauliflower cut into florets about 4 cups
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (optional)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 425°. Toss all ingredients together in a bowl or right on a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. Spread florets out in a single layer.
    • Bake at 425° for 12 minutes or until browned on underside of florets; stir or use tongs to turn over. Bake another 3 to 5 minutes or just until tender and lightly browned.

    Notes

    Don't be tempted to stir before the 12 minutes (or lightly brown on first side) is up!
    How to Roast cauliflower and broccoli in an air fryer: Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes to 400F degrees. Toss the cauliflower florets in oil, salt and pepper. Place half the cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set to Air Fry setting for 6 minutes. It will turn out crispy on the edges, tender on the inside, roasted veggie perfection!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 45kcal
    Did you make this recipe?If you love it, share it! Tag me on Instagram @gritsandgouda using #gritsandgouda Comment below before you go!

    Updated post on 8/26/21 with valuable information

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah P

      June 01, 2020 at 7:04 pm

      5 stars
      This roasted purple cauliflower recipe is so simple, easy and deliciouse.😋

      Reply
      • gritsandgouda

        June 01, 2020 at 7:54 pm

        So glad you like it! I make this with white cauliflower about every other week!

        Reply
        • el

          September 17, 2021 at 11:47 am

          Thanks for this recipe I'm off to the kitchen with my first experience with purple cauliflower

          Reply
          • gritsandgouda

            September 17, 2021 at 1:45 pm

            It's crazy and fun how the purple cauliflower turns a little darker and more vibrant after cooking!

            Reply

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    Hi y'all! I’m Kathleen. I love sharing my Southern shortcut recipes with you! I’m a food stylist, cookbook author, and former test kitchen director living in a charming small town in Alabama. I take traditional Southern recipes you know and love (and a few new ones) and make them with shortcuts so you can enjoy them faster.

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