How do you keep mashed cauliflower from being watery?

Using less water prevents the cauliflower from getting waterlogged. Boil until tender. This will take about 10 minutes or so. Sautéeing the cauliflower first helps it cook faster once the water is added to the pot.

What can I add to mashed cauliflower to thicken it?

You can add a litle softened cream cheese to the pot in the final step and stir until melted. Or you can add a keto thickener like glucomannan or xanthan gum . Be sure to whisk it in well when the mashed cauliflower is hot. You don't need more than about ¼ teaspoon per head of cauliflower.

Why does my cauliflower cheese sauce go watery?

Cauliflower cheese can go watery if the cauliflower is overcooked . Overcooked cauliflower releases water, which will seep into the rest of the dish. So even if your sauce was thick when it went in the oven, if its in there too long, the water from the cauliflower will cause it to go watery.

Why is my cauliflower mash grainy?

Recipe Tips and Tricks When you're cooking your cauliflower florets, make sure they're fork-tender before removing them from the pot. If the cauliflower isn't cooked long enough , it can make your mashed cauliflower grainy.

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 is my cauliflower not softening?

"When making cauliflower steaks or roasting florets, if you don't roast it in the oven long enough it will be warm but still hard and unenjoyable to eat," says Michalczyk. Be sure to check them before you turn the oven off and give them extra time if they are still too firm.

How do you make runny mashed thicker?

Add a Thickening Agent This is the most common way to thicken mashed potatoes. You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well.

Why are my cauliflower bites 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.

How do you get water out of riced cauliflower?

The best way to deal with the liquid is to put the riced cauliflower in a covered microwave-safe dish, heat it thoroughly to get all the liquid out of it you can, then drain it . If you have to cook it on the stovetop, add as little water as possible and stir frequently to keep it from sticking to the pan.

How do you squeeze water out of riced cauliflower?

It really is as simple as putting the cooked and cooled cauliflower on a clean flour sack towel , wrapping it up and squeezing all the water out . I like to use flour sack towels because they're large and really thin, which makes them easy to squeeze tight and get out as much water as possible.

Why do you add milk to boiled cauliflower?

Adding milk to the water will help the cauliflower keep its white color and will sweeten the flavor of the cauliflower . Bring water to a boil and add the cauliflower pieces. Allow the water to return to a boil and gently boil for 3 to 5 minutes.

Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites Recipe (2024)

Published: Dec 30, 2019 · Modified: May 23, 2022 by Lois · As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This site contains affiliate links · 5 Comments

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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.

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

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.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, clickhere.

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.

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

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.

How to BakeLoaded Cauliflower Bites

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

How to ServeCauliflower Bites

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

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @Lois_walkingonsunshinerecipes on Instagram and hashtag it #walkingonsunshinerecipes

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

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

Preheat oven to 425° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large pot of boiling water, cook cauliflower until fork tender, about 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
Spread florets out in a single layer paper towels to allow to try to get all the water out of the cooked cauliflower.
Then move the cauliflower to the top of the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
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.
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.
Bake until cheese is melted and crispy around the edges, about 10 minutes.
Serve warm with sour cream and chives on the side.

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Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites Recipe (2024)

Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites

How to Boil Cauliflower

Ingredients:

How to Make theCauliflower Bites

How to BakeLoaded Cauliflower Bites

How to ServeCauliflower Bites

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @Lois_walkingonsunshinerecipes on Instagram and hashtag it #walkingonsunshinerecipes

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

Smashed Loaded Cauliflower Bites

Ingredients

Instructions

Recommended Products

Nutrition Information:

Pin this recipe and save it for later!

FAQs

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