LOADED CAULIFLOWER BITES

Loaded Cauliflower Bites, covered in cheese and bacon, are a low-carb alternative to loaded potato skins or french fries, yet equally as delicious! This tasty appetizer has only 4 grams of net carbs per serving making it a great option for those following a keto diet as well!

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I crave carbs. I really do. I’m constantly trying to come up with new recipes where I can satisfy that craving without having quite as much guilt. One of my favorite appetizers when we eat out is loaded potato skins. Since we don’t eat out very much lately, I like to recreate the foods that I would normally only eat out, at home. It did not take long at all for me to decide that these Loaded Cauliflower Bites had to happen!

Depending on the type of diet you follow, this is either a healthy recipe, a guilty pleasure, or both. With only 4 grams of net carbs per serving, this recipe is low-carb, suitable for those following a keto diet, and naturally gluten free.

Why This Recipe Works

Loaded Cauliflower Bites have significantly less carbohydrates than loaded potato skins or loaded french fries. They are the perfect stand in for those following a low carb or keto diet.
This easy-to-make recipe can be served as an appetizer, snack, or even a main dish!
You can adjust the amount of toppings to suite you own tastes.

How to Make Loaded Cauliflower Bites

Prep!

Several stalks of green onion with some chopped on a white cutting board

If you don’t have left over bacon to use, you will need to cook and crumble that first and set it aside. Chop your cauliflower into bite size pieces, dice the green onion, and shred the cheese.

Tip: it is highly recommended to shred the cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded bagged cheese. Bagged shredded cheese contains a starch which leaves a graininess when it melts and adds to the carbohydrate count.

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Tip: to make clean up easier, I recommended lining the bottom of a baking sheet with aluminum foil or a Silpat mat.

Create!

Close up of cauliflower on a silpat mat with salt and pepper before roasting

Spread the cauliflower out onto a baking sheet. Toss with the olive oil and sprinkle on the salt and pepper.

Roast for about 20-30 minutes, or until fork tender.

Tip: you can steam the cauliflower until fork tender, but you will still need to use the oven for the next step.

Cauliflower topped with melted cheese, bacon, and green onions on a silpat baking mat

Next, push all the cauliflower into a pile and cover with as much of cheddar cheese and bacon as you’d like. Return to the oven for about 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Present!

A bite of loaded cauliflower bites being lifted with a fork with the plate of bites in the background

Top with sliced green onions, if desired, and a side of Ranch dressing!

Tip: if you are following a strict keto diet, make sure that if you decide to use Ranch dressing, that it is keto-approved.

Enjoy!

Tips & Techniques for the Best Loaded Cauliflower Bites

It is highly recommended to shred the cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded bagged cheese.
Line the bottom of your baking sheet with aluminum foil or a Silpat mat to make cleaning up much easier.
You can steam the cauliflower until fork tender, rather than roasting, if you prefer. You will still need to use the oven for the second half of the recipe.
If you are following a strict keto diet, make sure that if you decide to use Ranch dressing, it is keto-approved.
Use a fork. These Loaded Cauliflower Bites come close to loaded potato skins in a lot of ways, but are not quite what I would call “finger food” unless you don’t mind getting a little messy.

FAQ’s

How many calories are in loaded cauliflower? In one serving (or 1/4th of the recipe) of this recipe for Loaded Cauliflower Bites, there are 263 calories. This is without any Ranch dressing or changes to the recipe.
How many carbohydrates are in loaded cauliflower? In one serving (or 1/4th of the recipe) of this recipe for Loaded Cauliflower Bites, there are 4g net carbohydrates (6g total carbohydrates).