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    Home » Recipes

    Roasted Sweet Chili Cauliflower

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    This Roasted Sweet Chili Cauliflower is bright, super flavorful, and the perfect side dish. It’s tossed in a spicy, sweet marinade and then roasted to perfection. Easy to prepare and oil-free.

    Sweet chili roasted cauliflower over rice.

    People like to say cauliflower is the new chicken. I think that’s pretty disrespectful to the cauliflower. It ain’t nothing like chicken. It’s BETTER! I get that cauliflower has never been considered the coolest cruciferous kid in the garden. But, all that has changed.

    Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Roasted Sweet Chili Cauliflower!

    It’s the perfect blend of sweet and spicy with just a slight bit of tanginess from a little lime juice. Hold on because this cauliflower recipe is about to kiss and kick you all at once.

    Can you handle it? Let’s find out!

    Cauliflower pieces, soy sauce, garlic sauce, maple syrup, and lime juice on serving tray.

    Table of Contents

    • How Do You Make Roasted Sweet Chili Cauliflower
    • What Do I Serve With Baked Sweet & Spicy Cauliflower
    • Roasted Sweet Chili Cauliflower

    How Do You Make Roasted Sweet Chili Cauliflower

    Prepare your cauliflower by cutting it into little florets. But, I prefer to save time, and my sanity, by using two 10-ounce bags of precut cauliflower florets. Yeah, I know it’s lazy. But, trust me on this one.

    Next, prepare your marinade by adding the chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, maple syrup, and lime juice to a mixing bowl and whisking it all together. Now, add your florets to the marinade and toss them until they’re well coated.

    Cauliflower florets in mixing bowl with marinade.

    Finally, cook the cauliflower in a nonstick skillet until it browns up all nice and pretty. And, because there is no oil in this dish, be sure and let the pan get completely hot before using it.

    Cauliflower in cast iron skillet.

    Finish it all off by roasting in a 450˚F oven for about 15-20 minutes until the cauliflower is soft, charred, and perfect.

    That’s it! Delicious Roasted Sweet Chili Cauliflower.

    Roasted cauliflower on baking sheet with parchment paper.

    What Do I Serve With Baked Sweet & Spicy Cauliflower

    There are several ways to enjoy this sweet and savory dish.

    • Serve this cauliflower up as an appetizer. My Tofu Sour Cream with a little dill makes a wonderful dipping sauce.
    • Pile on top of rice and garnish with a little green onion for an incredibly healthy low-fat meal.
    • Add some sriracha to my Creamy Cashew Mayo and make one of the best sandwiches you will ever eat. GUARANTEED!
    Roasted sweet chili cauliflower on top of rice with green onion.

    I have no doubt you will love this Sweet Chili Cauliflower. It’s…

    • Full of flavor
    • Sweet
    • Spicy
    • Baked
    • Oil-Free
    • Low-Fat
    • Vegan
    • Gluten-Free
    • Easy to prepare
    • DELICIOUS

    Be sure and check out these other savory recipes like my Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon, Oil-Free Oven Roasted Potatoes, & Easy Vegan Chickpea Curry.

    Roasted sweet chili cauliflower over rice and topped with green onion.

    If you make this recipe, be sure and let me know! Leave a comment, RATE IT, and tag a photo #shaneandsimple on Instagram. I want to see what you’re doing!

    Print
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    Sweet chili roasted cauliflower over rice.

    Roasted Sweet Chili Cauliflower

    ★★★★★

    4.9 from 16 reviews

    Print Recipe

    This Roasted Sweet Chili Cauliflower is bright, super flavorful, and the perfect side dish. It’s tossed in a spicy, sweet marinade and then roasted to perfection. Easy to prepare, vegan, & gluten-free!

    • Total Time: 40 minutes
    • Yield: 4 Servings 1x

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 3 Tbsp. chili garlic sauce
    • ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp. low-sodium soy or tamari sauce
    • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
    • 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice. You can use lemon juice or apple cider vinegar if you don’t have lime juice.
    • 2 10-ounce bags of precut cauliflower florets or 1 medium sized head of cauliflower cut into bite size florets. 

    Instructions

    1. Preheat your oven to 450˚F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, and heat a large nonstick skillet on medium heat. 
    2. Mix the chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, maple syrup, and lime juice all together in a large mixing bowl. Add your cauliflower and toss until it is evenly and well coated.
    3. Once the skillet is hot, and be sure it is hot, add the cauliflower with a slotted spoon but be sure and save the marinade. Cook the cauliflower, stirring frequently, in the skillet until browns up nicely and most of the liquid has dissolved. About 10 minutes or so.
    4. Remove the cauliflower from the nonstick pan, layout evenly on your parchment lined baking sheet, and use a spoon or ladel to pour some of the leftover marinade over the cauliflower. Place the cauliflower in the oven and roast for 20 minutes.
    5. Once the cauliflower is done you may serve immediately.

    Equipment

    Chili Garlic Sauce

    Buy Now →

    Nonstick Skillet

    Buy Now →

    Baking Sheet

    Buy Now →

    Silicone Baking Mat

    Buy Now →
    • Author: Shane Martin
    • Prep Time: 10 mins.
    • Cook Time: 30 mins.
    • Category: Side
    • Method: Baking
    • Cuisine: Vegan
    • Diet: Vegan

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 47
    • Sugar: 7.5 g
    • Sodium: 196.5 mg
    • Fat: 0.2 g
    • Carbohydrates: 10.8 g
    • Fiber: 1.4 g
    • Protein: 1.6 g
    • Cholesterol: 0 mg

    Keywords: asian, thai, vegan, side, spicy, sweet, vegan, low-fat

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    « Oil-Free Oven Roasted Potatoes
    Vegan Sriracha Mayo »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kristy Stewart

      August 02, 2022 at 7:58 pm

      This was amazing….I wish I had doubled it as my daughter and I ate all of it before my son and husband could get home….whoops. Definitely making again.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Michael

      April 26, 2022 at 9:58 pm

      Great recipe, even our cauliflower skeptics enjoyed this dish. A definite keeper

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        April 27, 2022 at 9:34 am

        Thank you!!!

        Reply
    3. Kathy

      April 25, 2022 at 9:12 am

      Would sweet Thai chili sauce work in this recipe?

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        April 25, 2022 at 10:31 am

        I don’t see why not.

        Reply
    4. Astaff

      April 24, 2022 at 7:56 pm

      This recipe sounds amazing and I plan on trying it. I have a question: would Sweet Thai Chili Sauce work? And if so, would I still add maple syrup? Thank you

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        April 25, 2022 at 10:32 am

        I see no reason why it wouldn’t work. However, if you did use sweet Thai chili sauce I would eliminate the maple syrup.

        Reply
        • Karen

          June 12, 2022 at 2:00 pm

          Only found this recipe about 2 months ago and have made it several times. I don’t particularly care for cauliflower but absolutely love this!

          ★★★★★

          Reply
          • Shane Martin

            June 13, 2022 at 2:21 pm

            Thank you so much, Karen! Cauliflower is like the uncool 3rd cousin of broccoli but it can have it’s moments:)

            Reply
    5. Char

      April 24, 2022 at 4:25 pm

      What kind of chili sauce did you use?

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        April 25, 2022 at 10:32 am

        This is the brand I use
        https://amzn.to/3vLgP6V

        Reply
    6. MA Shaffer

      January 05, 2022 at 5:07 pm

      Way too spicy We like spicy food but this was not even edible. I double checked the recipe in case I did something wrong. Wasted an entire head of cauliflower So bummed out

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        January 05, 2022 at 11:15 pm

        I’m sorry it was too spicy. You can adjust it to fit your own taste.

        Reply
    7. Jonette

      March 29, 2021 at 11:04 pm

      I am obsessed with this recipe, can’t get enough. I loaded this cauliflower on a bun, with the creamy cashew mayonnaise (I subbed the tofu you recommended for folks who need to avoid nuts) with sriracha mixed in, and can heartily agree that’s the best dang sandwich I’ve ever put in my mouth. Ever. Can’t wait to make it again, even if I can’t find those bags of cauliflower pieces and have to cut up a head of cauliflower. It’s worth it.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Ana

      March 05, 2021 at 4:17 pm

      I’d give this dish more than 5 stars if I could 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        March 06, 2021 at 2:31 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
      • Gabrielle Ottavio

        June 09, 2021 at 6:15 pm

        So simple and delicious. Fabulous weeknight meal. As always, another wonderful recipe❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏

        ★★★★★

        Reply
    9. Ana

      March 04, 2021 at 4:36 pm

      Your site is my go to for easy, healthy, and tasty recipes and this one didn’t disappoint! It was absolutely delicious!!!

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        March 04, 2021 at 11:13 pm

        Thank you so much, Ana! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d really appreciate it if you rate with the stars:) It helps me out with Google…:) Blessings.

        ★★★★★

        Reply
    10. suzi

      December 15, 2020 at 8:21 pm

      Just shared this to my foodie page. Im gonna try this recipe with some chickpeas added. Gonna toss all this goodness into a warm soft tortilla with some slaw on top!! Be back to discuss soon…. thanks Shane!!

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        December 16, 2020 at 12:44 pm

        Thanks! Sounds delicious and can’t wait to hear how it turns out.

        ★★★★★

        Reply
        • Dawn Jenkins

          January 12, 2021 at 5:10 pm

          I give this 5 stars because you don’t have a place to give it 10 stars. We love this. But I haven’t made any of your recipes that I don’t love.

          ★★★★★

          Reply
          • Shane Martin

            January 13, 2021 at 12:25 pm

            LOL, thank you so much, Dawn!

            Reply
    11. NICHOLE

      May 12, 2020 at 7:11 pm

      I just came across your blog today, and I can’t tell you how excited I am to try your recipes! I’m so glad I found you!!

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        May 13, 2020 at 3:28 pm

        Thanks so much, Nichole, and I’m so glad you’re here. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions of comments.

        Reply
    12. Nicole Willis

      March 21, 2020 at 8:07 pm

      So, I am home for the Coronavirus quarantine / furlough/ whichever thing applies. And with all this extra time to cook, I thought I would look for healthy immune-boosting options for ways to use the food I already have in my fridge (since going out is obviously off the table). This is the second night in a row that I have made one of your recipes. Tonight was sweet chili cauliflower and last night was IP vegan potato soup. (I should say I was so blown away by the soup that I came back today for another and chose the cauliflower.) The verdict: Oh my God, AMAZING! In addition to being vegan, the recipes are relatively simple, the sodium content can be easily adjusted, they are whole-food centric, and OIL-FREE!!! What?!?!? How did I just find your blog? Thank you so much for the inspiration and this incredible resource! Hope y’all stay healthy and safe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        March 23, 2020 at 11:15 pm

        Nicole, that is so kind and generous. Thank you so much and I’m pumped you’re here. I really appreciate the kind words. Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out with a comment or question. Blessings.

        Reply
    13. Michele

      February 11, 2020 at 11:32 am

      Hi Shane. I’m eager to try this recipe and I’m happy I found your site with your inspiring health testimony. Quick question– does the cauliflower have to be sauteed in the skillet prior to roasting in the oven, or could you feasibly just roast in the oven? I have a busy household of 6 people and if I could reduce one step it would make my life easier! 🙂 Thanks!

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        February 11, 2020 at 8:16 pm

        It doesn’t “have to be” sauteed, but it does help to soften and allow the cauliflower to absorb the flavor. But, it will also work with just baking. Good luck and I hope you enjoy it:)

        Reply
    14. Jennifer

      October 24, 2019 at 7:37 pm

      Looks Amazing!! Have you tried preparing it in an Air Fryer?? If so, how did you like the results? I’m planning on making it this week 🤗

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        October 24, 2019 at 9:37 pm

        I have not as of yet. But, I see no reason why not:) Good luck!!! Let me know how it goes and I hope you enjoy it.

        Reply
    15. Misti Craver

      October 02, 2019 at 3:48 pm

      My picky “non cauliflower ” eaters loved this!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    16. Elizabeth Robbins

      September 22, 2019 at 1:23 pm

      Sorry the question was how well does it RE HEAT in a microwave? I am also taking some for a non vegan co worker and want her to be wowed.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        September 23, 2019 at 2:22 pm

        No worries at all, Elizabeth. Good luck:)

        Reply
    17. Elizabeth Robbins

      September 22, 2019 at 1:21 pm

      I making this today for my lunch tomorrow. How well does it re he’s in a microwave? That is what we have at work to heat our food. Thank you for all of your amazing recipes!!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        September 23, 2019 at 2:22 pm

        Hi, Elizabeth! I hope you enjoy it. It reheats pretty well in the microwave. Like anything, it’s never as good as an oven, but it works well.

        Reply
    18. Jeff

      August 30, 2019 at 9:02 pm

      I found the tamari to be overpowering in the flavor. I will try a different recipe. But thanks for the idea.

      ★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        August 31, 2019 at 8:56 am

        Thanks for the encouragement…I try. Did you think about cutting back on the amount…you do hold that power within your hands?

        Reply
    19. Deborah

      August 11, 2019 at 12:50 pm

      Quick, easy, delicious. Made as written. Love that it is oil-free!.
      Thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        August 11, 2019 at 1:22 pm

        Thank you, Deborah! I really appreciate your kind words and kind rating:) Have a blessed day!

        ★★★★★

        Reply
    20. Michael

      August 06, 2019 at 6:50 pm

      OMG! This is a absolutely amazing!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    I share healthy vegan recipes that are practical, affordable, anyone can make and everyone will love!

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