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Home Meal Type Snacks
5
/5
45 minutes minutes

The Ultimate Cauliflower Nachos

Gluten Free Gluten Free Low Carb Low Carb Nut Free Nut Free Vegetarian Vegetarian
Jump to Recipe
By: Denise BustardLeave a Comment
Posted: 3/16/22 Updated: 3/7/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

The ultimate cauliflower nachos, loaded with jalapeños, tomatoes, cheese, and crispy tortilla chips! Adding cauliflower adds more veggies and reduces the number of tortilla chips you need for a (slightly) healthier version of nachos.

From cauliflower tacos to honey garlic cauliflower wings, and these delicious cauliflower nachos - is there any dish that cauliflower can't take on?!

cauliflower nachos on sheet pan before melting
Jump to... show
1 reasons you'll love this recipe
2 recipe video
3 ingredient notes
4 step by step directions
5 Favorite Sheet Pans
6 Variations
7 Toppings + Dips
8 FAQ
9 storage
10 More snacks + appetizers
11 Cauliflower Nachos

These cauliflower nachos are loaded with flavor and crunch - thanks to the roasted cauliflower, crispy tortilla chips, and delicious toppings!

While you can make cauliflower nachos without tortilla chips (instructions included below), we found they were missing one important thing - the salty CRUNCH factor! This combination of cauliflower and traditional tortilla chips is the perfect balance of healthy, and delicious!

reasons you'll love this recipe

  • the roasted cauliflower bulks up the nachos without extra chips
  • the flavors of the cumin, coriander, and chili powder on the cauliflower pair perfectly with cheesy nachos
  • they are vegetarian, gluten-free, and low-carb

recipe video

Watch the video below to see how to make cauliflower nachos! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.

ingredient notes

ingredients required to make cauliflower nachos
  • cauliflower - we're using 6 cups, which is about half of an average head of cauliflower
  • spices - cumin, coiander, and chili powder are added to the cauliflower to add some depth of flavor and subtle spice while roasting
  • olive oil - for roasting the cauliflower; can be swapped for avocado oil
  • cheese - we recommend a Mexican 3-blend for the best gooey cheesy texture and flavor (typically contains cheddar, Monterey jack, and Colby)
  • jalepeños - pickled jalepeños add a ton of flavor and aren't too spicy. Typically found in the Mexican food or international aisle at the grocery store. We chopped our jalapenos to spread the flavor out better!
  • bell peppers - we used a mix of yellow and red, you can use any colour!
  • red onion - to add a kick of flavor and subtle sweetness
  • refried beans - add some plant-based protein, making this recipe more filling meal. These are optional - leave out if you just want a lighter snack!

step by step directions

cauliflower on sheet pan ready to be roasted

RoastCauliflower

Heat oven to 425°F. Toss cauliflower in olive oil until coated. Add the cumin, ground coriander, chili powder, and salt, tossing until combined. Spread on a sheet pan and roast for 25 minutes, tossing once halfway.

Add Chips

Carefully spread tortilla chips on the pan, arranging beneath the cauliflower (to ensure cauliflower gets toppings on it).

Note - make sure to position the tortillas under the cauliflower (work carefully) so everything gets covered in the cheese and toppings

roasted cauliflower on sheet pan interspersed with tortilla chips

Add Cheese

Spread cheese evenly across, then add remaining toppings.

Favorite Sheet Pans

These are the sheet pans we own and love!

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cauliflower nachos on sheetpan topped with shredded cheese

Bake

Return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, until cheese is melted through. Serve with sour cream, salsa, queso, pickled onions, and more.

cauliflower nachos on sheetpan topped with all toppings (bell peppers, red onion, jalapeno and tomatoes)

Serve

Serve with salsa, cashew queso or guacamole for dipping, and enjoy!

cauliflower nachos on sheet pan after melting

Variations

To make these cauliflower nachos with 100% cauliflower:

  1. double the cauliflower & spices
  2. roast the cauliflower on two sheetpans to ensure enough space for each flouret to get nice and crispy
  3. combine on one sheet pan when you add the toppings
  4. enjoy!

Note - cauliflower nachos will not have the same crunch as traditional nachos, but they are still delicious!

bowl of cashew queso topped with tomatoes and cilantro surrounded by chips

Toppings + Dips

We have so many ideas for extra toppings that you could serve these cauliflower nachos with!

Before baking:

  • add diced tomatoes
  • swap refried beans for black beans
  • add cooked ground turkey or ground beef - see how to make Instant Pot taco meat!
  • add shredded chicken - Instant Pot salsa chicken would be perfect!

After baking:

  • top with fresh cilantro
  • avocado slices
  • dip in guacamole, salsa, or pico de gallo
  • quick pickled red onion
  • dip in vegan cashew queso
pulling a cheesy cauliflower 'nacho' from the pan

FAQ

What other flavor options are there for roasting the cauliflower?

You could swap out the seasoning blend for this homemade taco seasoning - which would work really well with nachos!

Can I add more protein to make this into a more filling meal?

Absolutely! You can add (cooked) ground turkey, ground beef, extra refried beans, shredded chicken, or black beans.

Can I make cauliflower nachos in the air fryer?

While we haven't tested this exact recipe in the air fryer, it could work to roast your cauliflower in the air fryer, then finish off in the oven with the tortilla chips and toppings. See how to make crispy air fryer cauliflower here.

storage

Unfortunately, cauliflower nachos do not keep well and should be eaten fresh! With that being said, you can prep some of the ingredients ahead of time:

  • roasted cauliflower- store in the fridge for up to 4 days (would want to re-warm the cauliflower in the oven for a bit before adding chips and toppings)
  • chopped cauliflower- store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 7 days
  • chopped bell peppers & red onion- store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
  • shredded cheese- store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 7 days (unless purchased pre-shredded; this keeps for longer)

More snacks + appetizers

  • Spiced chickpea naan nachos
  • Air fryer chicken wings
  • Crispy air fryer eggplant
  • Air fryer zucchini fries
  • Seriously amazing air fryer french fries

Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

cauliflower nachos on sheet pan after melting

Cauliflower Nachos

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 30 minutes mins
Total Time: 45 minutes mins
Print Rate
The ultimate cauliflower nachos, made with refried beans, jalapeños, bell pepper, cheese, and crispy tortilla chips! A tasty appetizer or snack that the whole family will enjoy.
6 servings

Ingredients

  • 6 cups cauliflower florets 1- 1.5 inches; see note 1
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

To make nachos

  • 4 handfulls tortilla chips
  • ¼ cup refried beans optional; not pictured
  • ¼ cup bell peppers finely diced
  • ¼ cup tomatoes finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons red onion finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeños note 2
  • 2 cups shredded cheese note 3

Instructions 

  • Roast Cauliflower- Heat oven to 425°F. Toss cauliflower in olive oil until coated. Add the cumin, ground coriander, chili powder and salt, tossing until combined. Spread on a sheet pan and roast for 25 minutes, tossing once halfway.
    cauliflower on sheet pan ready to be roasted
  • Chips- Carefully spread tortilla chips on the pan, arranging beneath the cauliflower (to ensure cauliflower gets toppings on it)
    roasted cauliflower on sheet pan interspersed with tortilla chips
  • Cheese- Spread cheese evenly across, then add remaining toppings.
    cauliflower nachos on sheetpan topped with all toppings (bell peppers, red onion, jalapeno and tomatoes)
  • Bake- Return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, until cheese is melted through. Serve with sour cream, salsa, queso, pickled onions, and more.
    pulling a cheesy cauliflower 'nacho' from the pan

Tips:

  1. roughly ½ an average head of cauliflower
  2. we recommend chopping them so you get better coverage
  3. we recommend a Mexican 3-blend for best flavor
Storage
Unfortunately, cauliflower nachos do not keep well and should be eaten fresh!

Video

Nutrition Information

Calories: 173kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 29mg, Sodium: 481mg, Potassium: 375mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 616IU, Vitamin C: 58mg, Calcium: 220mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Annie Holmes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican

© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

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Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

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