Cauliflower Crust Garlic Breadsticks

April 2, 2014

Cauliflower Crust Garlic Breadsticks


Remember when you were a kid and you thought that being grown up just meant driving cars, not having to go to school and eat all the ice-cream and pizza you wanted?
Well, we all grew up. And we discovered that adult life is indeed about driving cars, (sadly) not going to school, and about the ice-cream+pizza part...well we figured out our metabolism is not as fast as it used to be, and as much as we would love to eat ice-cream+pizza 24/7, we really can’t (turning into a big tub of lard is a far too easy with that kind of diet.)
But we are also smarter than we used to and we have discovered new healthy ways to enjoy our favorite foods.

Cauliflower Crust Garlic Breadsticks


As it happens, the other day I was out with friends at a restaurant. While we were waiting for our order to come, the waiter brought a basket of warm garlic breadsticks.
As I watched my friends assaulting the bread basket, it dawned on me: what about making breadsticks with cauliflower crust?
A healthy, gluten-free, paleo-friendly version of those beloved sticks made with bread and garlic.
Light, packed with veggies and totally grown up metabolism safe.
I was so proud of myself for having such a brilliant idea; I even high-fived myself.
I mean, we’re talking about cauliflower crust garlic breadsticks...HELLO???

Cauliflower Crust Garlic Breadsticks


Then of course I soon found out that somebody else already had that intuition before me.
Which doesn’t mean I can’t share my very own version of cauliflower crust breadsticks with you guys, right?
Let’s say that if you love garlic breadsticks, you’re going to love cauliflower crust garlic breadsticks.
They taste like regular breadsticks, just better.
As they bake in the oven, your apartment is going to smell amazingly garlicky and you’re going to drool and your tummy is going rumble like crazy.
If you’re like me, risk getting burn and take a bite fresh out of the oven; then stop and really enjoy what you’re eating. Yes, it’s mind-blowing!
Then think that they’re made with cauliflower and that you’re eating a full serving of veggies.
I know, it doesn’t get much better than this...
Cauliflower Crust Garlic Breadsticks
Cauliflower Crust Garlic Breadsticks                                                                   Print this recipe!
Inspired by An Edible Mosaic

Ingredients
Makes 10 breadsticks

Cauliflower crust

1 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets (should yield 3 cups of cauliflower rice)
1 free-range organic egg, lightly beaten
½ cup / 1.7 oz / 50 gr shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon fine grain sea salt
½ teaspoon dried Italian herb seasoning
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Toppings

2 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese
A pinch of dried Italian herb season
Marinara sauce, for serving (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a loaf pan with parchment paper so that the excess paper hangs over the sides; lightly grease the parchment paper. Set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a small pan over low heat; add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute max. Turn the heat off and set aside.
In a food processor rice the cauliflower florets (it should be evenly chopped but not completely pulverized).
Transfer cauliflower rice to a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 8 minutes, until cooked.
Place the cauliflower rice in a tea towel and twist it to squeeze as much moisture as you can (I usually squeeze out over a cup of liquid). This is very important. The cauliflower rice needs to be dry, otherwise you’ll end up with mushy breadsticks.
Transfer the cauliflower rice to a mixing bowl, add egg, mozzarella, Italian herb seasoning, garlic oil, salt and pepper and mix well.
Spread cauliflower mixture in the prepared loaf pan.
Bake until the loaf is set and starting to turn golden, about 25 to 30 minutes.
In the meantime, line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
When the “loaf” is cooked, use the parchment paper to lift out of the loaf pan and carefully flip it over onto the lined baking sheet (so the bottom is on top).
Bake for further 10 minutes until golden.
Take it out of the oven and preheat the broiler. Sprinkle cheese and Italian herb seasoning on top of the loaf.
Broil a couple minutes until the cheese is melted and golden in spots.
Let cool a couple of minutes before cutting into (10) sticks.
Serve hot or warm or cold (if you let it cool the crust will harden and it will be easy to hold.)

Nutrition facts

One breadstick yields 34 calories, 3 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs and 2 grams of protein.

89 comments:

  1. Isn't it funny how there's nothing new under the sun? I'm so glad you decided to share your idea anyways because it looks awesome!

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    1. I know Kari, at times I find it sad then I'm like...whatever ;)

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  2. lord jesus this is incredible i've been so upset at thinking of giving up things like garlic bread pre-summer but now you have given me such a good alternative! this is so bloody good!
    www.tamsinamy.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thanks Tamsin, this is indeed a great alternative!

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  3. These look great! I made cauliflower pizza crust before and it was a pain in the butt to get enough liquid out to make it hold but I did it! It was a great alternative for when I was low on carbs. These look a little easier because you don't have to roll it out and attempt to transfer it into the oven without breaking it!

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    1. I know Kim, making cauli crust can be a pain in the neck but it's so good it's worth the hard labor!

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  4. Looks SO good! Have to make these xx

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    1. You HAVE to make them and then report back. OK? ;)

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  5. A genius idea--I'm so glad I saw this on FG and stumbled across your blog. The message it sends and the community you've created are really inspiring :) I can't wait to make these--pinned!

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  6. I've recently been discovering the world of cauliflower instead of actual flower, but never knew it could even be used to breadsticks! So so cool!

    {Teffy's Perks} X

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  7. They look amazing Mike, can't wait to try them!

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  8. High five mike! Brilliant! Cant wait to make them for the family.

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    1. Virtual high-five right back at ya Linda! ;)

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    2. forget the family ;) - these are all mine baby!

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  9. Now these sound delicious, love the marinara sauce for dipping, great idea!

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  10. These are fantastic! Difficult not eating the entire set in one sitting... I used purple cauliflower as that is all I had on hand. Delish!

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    1. OK Kelly, you've just made my day! But now I kind of want to make them with purple cauliflower as well...

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  11. Wait what?!?!?!?!? My views of being adult when I was younger - are pretty much exactly what I am doing, lol. I don't know what you're talking about?!?!? OKAY - Just kidding. I totally thought I was going to be in Playboy when I was 14 - LMFAOOOOOOOOOO ohhh the goals I had for myself.

    Anyways, This recipe: You think I could make it without the cheese? I cannot do dairy!

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    1. You could try using with vegan cheese...but if you do you have to promise that you'll report back. Deal?

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    2. Dealio- string cheese! LOL! (vegan but of course!)

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    3. GiGi???? I LOVE your teenaged life goals!! Mine were very similar. LOL ahahahahahaaaa!!!! SMH! LOL!!! <3 Kam!!

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  12. If you'd like a 'cheezy' taste (without the cheese), try sprinkling with nutritional yeast.

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    1. That's a great idea, thanks for the suggestion!

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    2. At what point should the yeast be added? just before the broiler?

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  13. Holy deliciousness, Batman! I can't believe you turned garlic breadsticks into a healthy snack...I'd high five you, too, for that one. Pinning to try later!

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  14. Hi mike, your bread sticks look awesome. Very spectacular pictures.
    Have a great week ahead,regards.

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  15. You've successfully made me covet cauliflower!! That looks incredible - awesome photos!

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  16. These look AMAZING!! YUM!!! I am so glad that I found your blog! I def need to save this recipe!! :) Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Amazing! Even if there maybe other versions (which I have yet to see) these cauliflower crust garlic breadsticks rock my socks off! Fantastic idea!

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  18. Oh my wow, these are a brilliant idea indeed! I'm so trying these for dinner tonight. I'll check if manchego cheese works, because I've already put on my lazy sweatpants and don't feel like going to the store to buy mozzarella at all :-( I'm sure they'll be delish!

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  19. Mike, you have go to stop this. Sweet mother of Jeeezus the neeeeds you keep giving me. This is almost unbearable. I want to slowly, appreciatively, rapturously sink my teeth into one of these beautiful bread sticks RIGHT NOW!

    Hmpft... I might have to start licking my screen again!

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  21. Yummy - Would love to see this submitted at Food Foto Gallery . com so I can share with all my foodie friends :)

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  22. Isn't that annoying?? When you have a super awesome idea, thinking for sure you're the first one to think of it, and then boom... a google search ruins your whole day hahahaha. I don't even care though, because this is pure genius. And that's why you are the Alpha of our wolfpack, pure and simple.

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  23. What an awesome idea! They look delicious :)

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  24. Any suggestions for someone who doesnt have a food processor? I would love to make these

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    1. The easiest way is to grate the cauliflower, otherwise you can minced it with a sharp knife but that's quite demanding!

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    2. Cut up the cauliflower a bit, pop in the blender, fill with water up to the top of the cauliflower, blend and then put it through a fine colander. Good to go!

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    3. Use a salad shooter.

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  25. I'm so glad I found your page. Your cauliflower crust is the best recipe I've ever tried (and I've tried several). None come out as amazing as yours Thanks for sharing and for all the tips to make it perfect!

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  26. Can you substitute the egg for applesauce or something else for a vegan recipe?

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    1. Maybe flax eggs. I'm not sure if that would work though...

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  27. Only ten breadsticks??? What are you talking about, this has to be made with at least 3 cauliflower heads to last through the evening :-)

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    1. lol I think need to double (if not triple) the recipe then! ;)

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  28. Hello and thank you for sharing your recipe. I don't have a microwave, could you share an alternative to cooking the cauliflower please? Thank you!

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  29. We don't use a microwave, either. I've found the best way to cook cauli for crust is to steam it, then I chop it up fine with my immersion blender, lastly squeezing it to drain. Works well. Soooo worth the effort to make it so we can have pizza again!

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    1. That's a great. Kudos to you for finding a way to make this without a microwave!

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  30. When you put the cauliflower in the microwave do you put any water and do you cook it at all before you put it in the microwave? I'm hoping to make this tomorrow.

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    1. Rice the cauliflower and then nuke it in the microwave for 8 minutes on high. That's it.
      Don't add any water (there's already plenty in the cauliflower!) nor cook it before.

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  31. I just made this after bring home a purple cauliflower that my 4 yo daughter *had* to have from the store. "it's so pretty!!". So aside from the purple-ness of it, this dish is amazing. My kids are stuffing it in their faces. My 4 yo is the pickiest child ever and because I sold it to her as pizza- it's disappearing. I may have been a little heavy on the garlic, but that's on me. This dish, I swear....this is a game changer for the cheese pizza meltdown I have on my hands most nights. Personally, I like the texture of the 'bread'- whatever- mine came out sort of chewy. My girls are demanding more!

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  32. I want to THANK YOU for including the calories, carbs etc. for us! Not only are your recipes top shelf but to have them with the listed nutritional counts is the Cherry on top of the Paleo Cake! You rock!

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  33. This is simply delicious and guilt free! Thanks for sharing this recipe

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  34. These are amazing but very labor intensive! I'm racking my brain trying to find an easier way to make them, but even so, they are worth it! I love your cauliflower crust recipes! Can't wait to try them all (though I may cook the cauliflower ahead of time, nearly scalded myself trying to squeeze the water out!)

    Cauliflower crust would make a wonderful pot pie topping!
    Kim :)

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    1. You know what? The first time you make 'em it seems like they're super labor intense. But the more you do them, the less work it seems.

      And yeah, the microwaved cauliflower rice is thermonuclear hot but you need to squeeze out the moisture while it's still hot otherwise it will retain it all.

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  35. Any tips for making this "flour" with without a microwave? Could I steam it or something instead? Small apartment means no microwave!

    Thanks!

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    1. You can definitely steam the cauliflower rice (or even boil it), what matters is that you squeeze out all of the moisture afterwards!

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    2. Hello, Mike, thank you for the recipe. I want to make these this week and I'm going to try baking the cauliflower in an attempt to dry it out a bit more. Very excited!

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  36. I love the recipes on your blog! So happy I found it. Cauliflower is my favourite veggie and these breadsticks look fantastic!

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  37. These look amazing, but I cant decide whether to make these on Saturday or the cauliflower calzone!

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  38. Just made these today and they look, smell and taste incredible! And that's lunch sorted for uni :D

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  39. This is amazing! I am having a ''cauliflower week'' next week :) so will be visiting your blog more than usual :D

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  40. Just made these for my coeliac 10 year old daughter's birthday sleepover. They were a hit! Thanks so much :-)

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  41. Hallo,
    das sind sehr schöne Rezepte!
    Grüße aus Deutschland und weiter so!
    Tine

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  42. This looks great. I would like to know if anyone has tried piping the mixture on to parchment and baking that way for a real crunch.

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  43. i am excited to try these .. thank for sharing love your blog :) catherine

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  44. Hi Mike! These look AMAZING... I was wondering how well they hold up the next day? Would they get soggy in a microwave after reheating, for example?

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  45. Just made these- YUM!!!

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  46. I just made these and my hubby who hates (like when he saw me making them at 36 years old responded with 'Ewwwwww. Cauliflower' finished his portions and said: "Can we put this into the weekly rotation?" Haha.

    Sold!

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  47. Ok, these are totally amazing. I love all of your "Cauliflower adventures" I make these almost weekly, ive tried the calzone and tomorrow i will try the cauliflower bread grilled cheese! please keep all of your ingenious ideas coming! :)

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  48. to rice cauliflower perfectly and easily:
    cut fresh raw cauli into even floret-size pieces
    put in blender and add water to cover
    blend until its ricey (not long)
    pour into strainer and press out water.
    OH MY GOSH HOW EASY WAS THAT!!>?????
    (not my original idea; gotten from a lady on yourtube but can't remember her name :)

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  49. Hi, I can't eat dairy. With what I could replace the cheese?

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  50. My dream come true! Being one of those picky adults that has never picked up a veggie, I tried expanding my horizons with cauliflower soup.. and although it tasted fine and cheesy, I couldn't get past the mashed-potato like texture. But I LOVE garlic bread and can't wait to try a healthy version! I am excited to try many of your recipes actually!

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  51. I'd love to know how to save the rice cauliflower for later. Have tried freezing? We're a family of 3 but I could make every night, just would like to have at least the cauliflower ready to go. Thanks in advance. Can't wait to make

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  52. OK not going to lie - I was super skeptical of this recipe because I've tried cauliflower crust and it did NOT work out. These are amazing though! Squeezing out the moisture makes such a huge difference and the results were great! I'm going to make this again FOR SURE. I didn't quite get a cup of liquid out though, I wonder if the microwave steams a lot out? Also I made the mistake of trying paper towel instead of a tea towel and that did not work at all - cautionary tale to anybody who thinks they just had a great idea! :) Thank you for the recipe!

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  53. Brilliant! Eating these right now. Only thing I'll do differ next time is make a little thinner (probably didn't get all water out). My teenage lads love em!

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  54. Thanks for including the nutrition information... wondering if you could include that information when we print off the recipe... it's not included in the print-off. Thanks for your consideration of this request.

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  55. Will there a problem with the end result if I don’t add cheese to it at all? (Will the crust hold together?).

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  56. Hi Mike!
    Do you have any suggestions if we need to replace the egg? Thanks in advance

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