These cauliflower onion rolls are a simple make ahead side dish or snack. Amazing low-carb buns for sandwiches, veggie burgers or toasted with almond butter or jam for a tasty snack. Delicious recipe uses simple grain-free ingredients, compliant for Paleo, Whole 30 and Kosher for Passover.
This post has been updated from the original published in March of 2016.
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This recipe for Cauliflower Onion Rolls is PERFECT for Passover…and pretty much any day! Especially if you’re looking for a low-carb bun…THIS IS IT!
Tiny pieces of cauliflower, mixed with almond flour, spices and eggs…sprinkled with onions and baked…BAM…you’ve got yourself a grain-free roll that you can use for sandwiches, veggie burgers or enjoy as is with a shmear of jam. Delish.
I love the onions on top…but sometimes I sprinkle on everything but the bagel seasoning before baking…O.M.G….next level….truly delish as is.
Looking for more Healthy Passover Recipes? Discover new and exciting ways to enjoy Kosher for Passover Recipes while maintaining a balanced diet with Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes for Passover.
Health Benefits of Cauliflower
- Fiber: Good for the gut! The fiber in cauliflower helps keep our bowels regular, and also promotes digestive health by feeding the healthy bacteria in our guts.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Cauliflower is rich in vitamin C and also has a good amount of Vitamin K, potassium, folate and manganese.
- Antioxidants: Help boost the immune system, control inflammation and stave off disease.
- Low-carb alternative to grains and some starchy vegetables.
I love to use cauliflower to cook with because it’s so nutritious and (as long as you don’t overcook it) it has a relatively neutral flavor, so it will take on the flavors you season it with. Oven Roasted Cauli-rice is loaded with mexican flavors and super tasty.
You can also use cauliflower in many shapes and sizes, it’s so versatile. A whole roasted cauliflower is delicious and also impressive as a vegan centerpiece. Cauliflower Kugel is a low carb version of a traditional Jewish Holiday Recipe. I love roasted cauliflower steaks with chimichurri. My favorite 15-minute healthy side dish is riced cauliflower with asparagus.
I use cauliflower as a substitute for potatoes or legumes in recipes to up the nutrition and lower the carbs. Cauliflower leek soup and vegan mashed potatoes and roots and cauliflower hummus are delicious examples of this.
Is there anything cauliflower can’t do?
Ingredients and Substitutions
- CAULIFLOWER: Pulse in food processor until resembling grains of quinoa for best texture in finished rolls. Already riced cauliflower (fresh or frozen) will not work as well, the pieces are larger and won’t break down into the batter.
- ONION: chopped finely, it mixes right into the batter. Substitute with scallions or leeks.
- EGGS: There really isn’t a good vegan substitute for this recipe. I tried with flax eggs but they didn’t hold together well.
- ALMOND FLOUR: Super fine, blanched almond flour works best in this recipe. It’s easy to find in most grocery stores as well as Costco, Trader Joes and Thrive Market. I haven’t tried it with coconut flour because I am allergic, but you could try that for a substitution.
- SPICES: paprika, sea salt, white pepper
How to make cauliflower rolls
First you’ll need to turn the cauliflower into tiny pieces that are about the size of quinoa. It’s easy to do this in a food processor. You may need to do it in 3-4 batches, depending on how large your cauliflower is.
Place the cauliflower into a large bowl. Mix in salt, pepper, paprika and some of the onions. Scramble the eggs and mix them plus the almond flour into the cauliflower.
Scoop the batter into 8 equal portions onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Use a fork to slightly flatten cauliflower rolls. Sprinkle with remaining onions and bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.
Debra’s Pro Tips
- Finely dice onions to incorporate into batter….and save some to sprinkle on top of the rolls.
- Already riced cauliflower won’t work as well in this recipe…it’s not small enough. It won’t take long to pulse in your food processor so you can make it as small as a grain of quinoa….this will give your low carb rolls better texture.
- This is an amazing recipe for Passover Rolls…BUT, if you’re just looking for a grain-free roll recipe, add all the onions to the batter and sprinkle on some everything but the bagel seasoning before baking.
- Throw one in the toaster, spread with jam for a perfect tea time snack.
MEAL PREP AND STORAGE
- SERVE: Use as a bun, sandwich thin, or a roll. Cut in half or shmear pesto, jam or hummus on top.
- PREP AHEAD: “Rice” the cauliflower up to 5 days in advance.
- STORE: Onion Rolls can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- FREEZE: Make sure rolls are completely cool before storing. Store in freezer safe zip top bags or glass storage containers for 3 months.
📖 Recipe
Cauliflower Onion Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower riced (about 3 ½ cups)
- 1 small yellow onion super small dice
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup + 1 Tablespoon Almond meal fine ground*
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 and line a heavy baking tray with unbleached parchment paper
- Cut the end off cauliflower, cut through the core and then break into smaller pieces. Place ⅓ off the cauliflower pieces into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the "S" blade and pulse until cauliflower is uniformly in small pieces resembling quinoa. Continue in batches until all cauliflower is "riced."
- Transfer cauli-rice to a large bowl and mix in salt, pepper, paprika and 1 Tablespoon of onions.
- Beat the eggs until frothy and add to mixture. Mix well. Then add in ¼ cup of the almond meal to soak up the moisture from the eggs. Add another Tablespoon almond flour if batter is oozing liquid.
- Form mixture into 8 evenly sized balls. Push each “roll” down gently with the back of a fork. Sprinkle with remaining onions and additional coarse sea salt if desired*
- Bake for 30 minutes. If rolls are a bit thicker (better for sandwiches), they may need 35 minutes to cook all the way through. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Note
The nutrition calculations were done using online tools. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you used. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information is accurate, complete and useful.
Kyra
I can’t wait to make these! I try to eat wheat free, but just like you said, sometimes you just want a sandwich. Do you recommend wringing the cauliflower rice to get rid of excess moisture before mixing it with the other ingredients?
Debra Klein
I haven’t found it necessary to take that extra step. If you’re using frozen, already riced cauliflower then maybe there would be too much moisture and that would be helpful.
Lili F
These look amazing!
Debra Klein
They are VERY good….especially with a savory filling.
Laura
Have you tried this substituting for the eggs? I think I will try with a sub called Plant based Egg that usually works well in baked goods. Will let you know how it goes!
Debra Klein
Great…interested to hear how they come out.
Gloria
What a yummy way to enjoy cauliflower. A fun and tasty appetizer that is sure to please. Party perfect.
Debra Klein
Yes…I made them smaller recently and topped pesto for a super appetizer.
Natalie
Oh wow! What a brilliant idea. Such a simple recipe too. I have to make this. Thanks!
Debra Klein
Thank you. Sometimes simple is actually best.
Nora
Never thought of making rolls out of cauliflower and onions, but the idea is superb! My family loved it! Thanks for the great recipe!
Debra Klein
You’re welcome. Glad you all enjoyed them.
Linda
This is going to be a great bread alternative for me. I’m so excited to try it! Already thinking up ways I can top them for breakfast and lunch for easy meals.
Debra Klein
Yes…I had one this morning with spicy hummus and sprouts. Delish.
Carole
Thanks for the recipe that will be super during Passover. I had to use frozen cauliflower bits.. but did put them through the food processor to make them smaller… One sample biscuit is in the oven now and I’m hoping it will turn out. One thing I can warn about is that the frozen bits gathered moisture during their freezing time… I added more almond meal… ?? will see!
Debra Klein
Looking forward to the update on the frozen cauliflower…I think the extra almond flour to soak up the moisture is a good idea. Let me know how they come out. I eat these the entire Passover with different fillings.
Linda
This recipe is superb! Love the idea of combining cauliflower and onion, and turning it into something delicious.
Miriam Suchoff
can you make these into muffins?
Debra Klein
I don’t see why not….but I haven’t tested it. If you try baking in muffin tins, please let us know how they come out.
Miriam Suchoff
Hi Debra-
This recipe looks delish! Can I make these into muffin size?
thanks for getting back to me-
Miriam