When you read the title of this post you might envision two pieces of bread sandwiching cheese with big cauliflower florets around it. But this Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese is so majorly delicious and not what you would expect from a traditional sandwich at all!

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A few months ago the Dr Oz show put me to the challenge of coming up with No-bread sandwiches. Isn’t the point of a sandwich to have the bread? Trust me when I say this is no easy feat, but fun trying to come up with ideas that are filling and exciting at the same time. I offered up Cucumber Stackers and Apple Ring PB&J’s, but they really loved these Cauliflower Crust Grilled Cheese developed by The Iron You. I was a little dubious when I first read the recipe, but was game to try them as they looked as good as the real thing in the pictures.

Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese from weelicious.comPin

Not only was it a ton of fun making them and watching a head of cauliflower turn into slices of bread, but we totally devoured them. Trust me when I say you don’t need to be gluten free to enjoy the no-bread sandwiches. They’re made with nothing but whole ingredients and taste like something really special.

Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese from weelicious.comPin

You can watch my quick segment on the Dr Oz show here and hopefully make a batch for you and your family to enjoy!

Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese from weelicious.comPin

Although it’s perfect for anyone on a gluten-free diet, you don’t have to be avoiding flour to enjoy it. I’m betting that any grilled cheese lover will be immediately smitten after the first crispy bite.

Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese

This Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese is so majorly delicious and not what you would expect from a traditional sandwich at all!
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Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 2 small heads cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2/3 cup shredded cheese or 4 slices cheese

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 450F and move the rack to the middle. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and liberally grease it with olive oil. Set aside.
  • Place the cauliflower florets in the food processor and pulse until it is about the size of rice. It should be finely chopped but not pulverized.
  • Transfer the cauliflower to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 8 minutes, until cooked and soft.
  • Allow the cauliflower rice to cool so that it is easier to handle. Place in a tea towel and squeeze out as much moisture as you can. This is a very important step as the cauliflower rice needs to be dry to form into bread slices.
  • Place the dry cauliflower in a mixing bowl, add the eggs, mozzarella and salt and mix well.
  • Divide the mixture into 8 equal sections, and shape each into a square on the parchment lined baking sheet.
  • Place in the oven and bake for about 16 minutes, until golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool 10 minutes before removing from the parchment paper.
  • To make the grilled cheese sandwiches: heat the butter in a pan over medium heat.
  • Place one slice of the cauliflower bread into the pan, top with cheese, and another slice of bread.
  • Cook for 2-4 minutes on each side, until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 149mg | Sodium: 956mg | Potassium: 468mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 688IU | Vitamin C: 64mg | Calcium: 320mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @Weelicious or tag #weelicious!

About the Author

Catherine is a mama of three. A Kentucky girl living in California. Here’s what I know: all kids can be great eaters and mealtime must be easy. I create simple, healthy recipes the whole family will love.

Comments

  1. This recipe is great!

    The “bread” can be used for other things. I added green onion, garlic, and shrimp to make shrimp cakes.

  2. Thanks for the recipe.

    In the search for bread substitutes in low carb / keto diets this is helpful.

    One suggestion, as the drying of the cauliflower rice is a grand task (your step 4). An alternative is using the cauliflower oven dry (not patted dry) and instead making burger patties.

    Result = not quite ‘bread’ but ‘bread buns’ that are easy to serve

    Campbell

  3. 2 small heads of cauliflower will produce about 3 cups after it’s been chopped in the food processor.

  4. Love this recipe!! Cannot wait make it and eat it : )

    Just have one niggly question. How many cups would you say I should use when the florets are blitzed?

    Thank you

  5. Fantastic!!! Just made this for dinner for my family– mom, dad, and a 13 mo old– and it was a big hit. I was looking to use up a head of cauliflower in the fridge, so I halved this recipe and it worked fine. I put a slice of havarti and of cheddar in each one and it was so tasty. I was worried that the slices would be crumbly and fall apart in the pan because they seemed loose when I shaped them, but they were totally fine– held together great in the sauté pan. This one will go into the rotation on a weekly basis. Thanks!

  6. We don’t own a microwave. How should we cook the cauliflower? I imagine boiling is out due to water content. Thanks!

  7. Is there any way to make this without the egg? We have an egg,wheat,and milk allergy in our house.Thanks.

  8. The cheese melts and helps the cauliflower stick together. It might work without it, but I think it would be a bit crumbly. Let me know if you try it and how it works without the cheese!

  9. I love this! we eat grain free. but is there any way to do the cauliflower bread without adding cheese?

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