Curried Cauliflower Bites with Curry Mayo
These cauliflower bites with curry mayo are the perfect laid-back party appetizer. Bite-sized pieces of cauliflower are dusted in curry spices then roasted until golden, and served with a curry mayo dip. It's an easy cauliflower appetizer, and it's ready in just 40 minutes!
If you love the sweet crunch of roasted cauliflower, also try our golden roasted turmeric cauliflower and easy roasted Italian cauliflower.

Spice things up with these easy yet delicious curried cauliflower bites. Bite-size cauliflower florets are coated in a flavorful mix of curry spices, cooked until crispy, then served with curry mayo.
They're similar to cauliflower wings but lighter and without the batter. They manage to be both healthy and tasty and they're perfect as a laid-back party appetizer for dinner parties or gatherings.
All you need is a head of cauliflower, lime juice, and spices you're likely to find in your pantry. Simply toss everything together and bake it until golden and crispy. Mix up the curry mayo while the bites are baking. We guarantee you'll be eating them right out of the oven!
Cauliflower appetizer ingredients
Here's everything you'll need to make the curried cauliflower bites:
- Cauliflower – one large head of cauliflower cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Oil – for roasting the cauliflower and helping to make it extra crispy.
- Lime juice – for a bright pop of citrusy flavor!
- Curry powder – we use store-bought curry powder, but if you have homemade curry powder, that works great, too!
- Spices – cumin, turmeric, cayenne powder, and sea salt.
- Lime juice and chopped parsley or cilantro – for garnish!
We tend to think that sauce makes everything better so we serve these cauliflower bites with a simple homemade curry mayo. Feel free to skip it or use plain yogurt in its place. Or, try our similar curry dipping sauce. Here's what you'll need for it:
- Mayonnaise – this will be the creamy base for the curry dip. Feel free to use light if you prefer.
- Curry powder
- Spices – cayenne powder and turmeric.
- Coconut sugar – to add a hint of sweetness.

How to make this crispy cauliflower appetizer
Roasting cauliflower in the oven until it's crispy gives it a rich, sweet, and almost nutty flavor. It's our favorite way to eat it!
Here's how to make these incredible oven-roasted cauliflower bites in a couple of easy steps:
- While your oven preheats, toss the cauliflower with olive oil and lime juice in a bowl.
- Mix the spices together.
- Sprinkle the spices over the cauliflower and toss until everything is well coated. Spread them onto your baking sheet and cook, flipping once, until golden and crispy.
- While the cauliflower bakes, mix up your curry mayo by combining all the ingredients together in a small bowl.
- To serve, squeeze a little fresh lime juice overtop of the cauliflower, top with cilantro or parsley, with the curry may on the side as a dip.
Full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.
FAQS
If you want to make these in an air fry, go for it! We don't own one, but from what we've heard, cauliflower turns out great cooked in an air fryer.
Yep, cane sugar or light brown sugar are good substitutes for coconut sugar. You can also skip it for a sugar-free recipe.
We think so! These cauliflower bites are like a lighter, healthier version of cauliflower wings without the batter. For the curry mayo, feel free to use a light mayonnaise or vegan alternative.
Ideas for serving cauliflower bites
These crispy cauliflower bites make a delicious appetizer for casual gatherings, dinner parties, or as a healthy game-day snack.
They also work perfectly as a vegetarian side with Indian-inspired dinner menus along with curries, rice, and meat or fish dishes.
Indian-inspired dishes that taste great with cauliflower bites
Our Favorite Cauliflower Recipes
- Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower with Tahini Yogurt
- Cheesy Irish Cheddar Cauliflower
- Golden Roasted Turmeric Cauliflower
- Blackened Cauliflower with Rosemary Garlic Panko

More cauliflower appetizer recipes

Curried Cauliflower Bites with Curry Mayo
If you love this recipe as much as we do, let us know with a 5-star rating!
Ingredients
- 1 large cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, fresh is best
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- ½ teaspoon EACH: cumin powder, turmeric, cayenne powder, and sea salt
- A squeeze of lime and a little chopped cilantro or parsley, to serve
Curry Mayo
- ¼ cup mayonnaise, can be light
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ teaspoon EACH: cayenne powder, turmeric, and coconut sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the cauliflower pieces in a medium-sized bowl and pour over the oil and lime juice and toss to coat.1 large cauliflower, 1 tablespoon cooking oil, 1 tablespoon lime juice
- In a small bowl, mix the curry powder, cumin, turmeric, cayenne, and salt.2 teaspoons curry powder, ½ teaspoon EACH: cumin powder, turmeric, cayenne powder, and sea salt
- Sprinkle the spices over the cauliflower and toss well so that each piece is evenly coated. Place the cauliflower on the baking sheet and bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes, turning halfway. Make sure there are lots of dark, crispy spots on the cauliflower.
- While the cauliflower is baking, make the curry mayo. Combine all the curry mayo ingredients in a small bowl and mix them together well.¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon curry powder, ¼ teaspoon EACH: cayenne powder, turmeric, and coconut sugar
- Serve the cauliflower with the curry mayo on the side for dipping, a little squeeze of lime over top of the cauliflower and a sprinkling of cilantro or parsley.A squeeze of lime and a little chopped cilantro or parsley
Is 1tsp oil enough to cover the florets? How many cups of florets would you say this recipe calls for since heads of cauliflower can really vary in size 😉
You can definitely use more oil if you’d like. The cauliflower I used was medium-sized. 🙂
Love this recipe. We cut the cauliflower into ‘steaks’ and grill them. We put the extra pieces that fall off when cutting steaks into a grill basket.
We make double the sauce because 1x just never seems enough…
I make this with your Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry. And serve with rice and naan. It’s one of our special meals, comfort meals, because it’s Wednesday and I want to meals. My 8yo especially LOVES these bites and my husband and I fight over the last bit of dip! I squeeze a little lime in the dip too! Just what’s left from the 1/2 lime.
Wowww! It’s delicious! Even without mayo dip, it’s incredibly flavorful and tasty…
These looks so delicious
I can have it without mayo too
You sure can!
This is delicious! Even without the mayo dip, it’s incredibly flavorful and tasty..
So happy you enjoyed them!!
We live in the Caribbean, so I’m really looking forward to making this as an appetizer for my hubbies birthday Monday. It sound wonderful!
I hope you love it as much as I do! Happy early birthday to your hubby!
I love cauliflower, especially when it’s all golden brown and roasted. In fact, it’s practically the only way I’ll eat it. This looks and sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Meghan,
I totally agree … golden brown and roasted is the only way to eat it! Whoever was the first to roast cauliflower is a genius. 🙂
How is adapting to a homemade mayo making this dish paleo? I don’t think there were cauliflower in the paleolithic era :/
A paleo diet is free of grains, legumes, dairy and refined sugars. Cauliflower is definitely ok if you are eating a paleo diet.
If you’re curious about what is/isn’t included in a paleo diet I would recommend checking out:
http://ultimatepaleoguide.com/paleo-diet-food-list/
http://paleomagazine.com
They’re both great resources for newcomers to paleo.
Just tried the lime curry cauliflower with curry mayo. Nothing short of incredible. The best cauliflower prep we have ever had. The EndlessMeal = Brilliant!!!
I’m so happy you liked it!!
The color of the roasted cauliflower looks awesome to me! The curry mayo sounds divine! I love spice infused mayo but this one never came across my mind. Wonderful idea. Pinned and will try out soon! 🙂
Thank you so much, Maggie!
This is literally the coolest and most interesting cauliflower bites recipe I’ve ever seen. I love your taste. You make boring food interesting!!
Thank you so much, Nagi! Coming from you that’s a big compliment. 🙂
Looks yum, cauliflower is something I make at least once a week [in Indian style of course! ] Have a lovely weekend 🙂
Thank you so much, Manali! I hope you have a great weekend too. 🙂