These sweet and smoky BBQ cauliflower bites are delicious as a main course or side dish. They are sweet, smoky, savory and scrumptious.
Cauliflower is one of my families favorite vegetables and this recipe is a fun and yummy twist.
The date syrup I use in this recipe is sweet and deep in flavor. It’s a little like molasses in taste but with a date flavor flare. It also has less sugar than honey.
This recipe can be made in an oven or on a smoker, grill or pellet grill. It’s smokiness comes from the smoked paprika so you will get a smokiness regardless of cooking method. That being said, the grill, smoker and pellet grill will intensify that flavor.
What you need to make these sweet and smoky BBQ cauliflower bites: (printable recipe card is below)
Serves 4
- 1 large head of cauliflower – cut into bite side pieces
- drizzle of olive oil
- generous sprinkle of seasoned salt
- generous sprinkle of smoked paprika
- sprinkle of cayenne pepper
- Generous sprinkle of onion powder
Date and Balsamic BBQ Sauce:
makes ~1 cup sauce
- 1/2 cup date syrup
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 3 dashes of hot sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven, pellet grill or grill to 400 F.
- Prepare cauliflower into bite sized florets and pieces.
- Place on a cookie sheet then drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle generously with seasoned salt, smoked paprika, a little cayenne pepper and onion powder.
- Bake or grill for 35 minutes.
- While the cauliflower is cooking mix together the date and balsamic BBQ sauce by adding all of the ingredients together and whisking until mixed.
- Pour BBQ sauce over the cauliflower and mix around in it.
- Bake an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve and enjoy.
Here are a few other recipes you may enjoy:
Harissa and Tahini Roasted Cauliflower
Middle Eastern Cauliflower Salad
Bacon Cauliflower Alfredo Bake
Cauliflower Rice Sushi Bowls
Cauliflower Poutine
Sweet and Smoky BBQ cauliflower Bites
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower – cut into bite side pieces
- drizzle of olive oil
- generous sprinkle of seasoned salt
- generous sprinkle of smoked paprika
- sprinkle of cayenne pepper
- Generous sprinkle of onion powder
Date and Balsamic BBQ Sauce:
- 1/2 cup date syrup
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 3 dashes of hot sauce optional
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven, pellet grill or grill to 400 F.
- Prepare cauliflower into bite sized florets and pieces.
- Place on a cookie sheet then drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle generously with seasoned salt, smoked paprika, a little cayenne pepper and onion powder.
- Bake or grill for 35 minutes.
- While the cauliflower is cooking mix together the date and balsamic BBQ sauce by adding all of the ingredients together and whisking until mixed.
- Pour BBQ sauce over the cauliflower and mix around in it.
- Bake an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve and enjoy.