This recipe may come as a shock to you, but today I’m going to show you how to make tortillas out of cauliflower… yes, these are Cauliflower Tortillas!
Watch the quick, how-to video showing you how to make Cauliflower Tortillas, then print out the complete recipe at the end of this post so you can make them at home.
Cauliflower Tortillas
Don’t be scared. They sound strange, I know. The funny thing is that they are both strange and wonderful.
Cauliflower Tortillas don’t taste like your typical corn or flour tortilla at all. They’re a simple substitute for using grains, and they totally work.
The recipe (with a couple of small changes) comes from Joshua Weissman’s book: The Slim Palate Paleo Cookbook.
I’m not on the Paleo diet, and if you’re reading my blog, you’re probably not either, but you don’t have to be eating Paleo to enjoy this recipe or indulge in reading this cookbook.
There is a lot to this cookbook that cookbook lovers will embrace. First of all, it was written by a (then) 17-year old who was in the midst of making healthy changes to his life (see photos below). Joshua decided to take charge and incorporate real food into his life (no grain, gluten or refined sugar), and in the process of doing that, he lost 100 pounds and wrote a cookbook. I don’t “treasure” cookbooks all that often, but I am truly in love with this one. I’ve been reading it like a novel, and it’s so impressive and inspiring to know that it was written by such a young person who is intelligent beyond his years.
The book contains recipes for all meals of the day. Those recipes on my list to try very soon are: Bacon and Caramelized Shallot Quiche, Grilled Coconut- Basil Chicken, Sweet Rosemary Meatballs, Sea Bass with Fennel and Tomato, Egg Drop Soup, Indian Cauliflower Couscous, Spaghetti Squash Alfredo with Mushrooms, Salted Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Fudge, Pumpkin Blondies, and Strawberry- Toasted Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.
YUM, right?? There is a big, beautiful photograph for every single recipe- and all of the photographs were taken by the talented Mr. Weissman.
How to make Cauliflower Tortillas:
It begins with cauliflower that has been obliterated into cous-cous-like granules in your food processor. Some people have mentioned in the comments that they’ve had success using already riced cauliflower instead of processing a head of cauliflower. Once it’s in this state, a short stint in the microwave softens it up. If you don’t own a microwave, just steam it on the stove instead.
When cauliflower is cooked, the moisture comes out in full force. Wrapped in cheesecloth or a thin dishtowel, you can gently squeeze out the moisture. It’s important to squeeze out ALL of the moisture!
The crumbled cauliflower is mixed with egg, salt and pepper (I add fresh cilantro and lime juice). If you are vegan, or if you are allergic to eggs… readers have mentioned that they substitute flax eggs without any trouble.
This mixture is shaped into “tortillas” and baked- first on one side and then on the other.
Then the Cauliflower Tortillas are placed on a rack for a bit of cooling.
The final quick step in the recipe is tossing them in a heating skillet for a little browning and crisping on each side.
That’s it! I enjoy these Cauliflower Tortillas straight out of the pan for eating. I also enjoy them with a little cheese melted on top like a quesadilla. They’re also good in the morning with a scrambled egg and eaten like a taco.
They are somewhat pliable to bend and fill with a small amount of filling for tacos, but they are most certainly perfect to eat all by themselves too. I recommend eating them “tostada-style” because they may tear when trying to bend like a taco. Try topping them with this Best Ground Beef Taco Meat.
Can you taste the cauliflower? I’d say, yes. If you’ve ever sampled the cauliflower pizza crust, you’ll most likely also be a fan of Cauliflower Tortillas. You might also like to try my Zucchini Pizza Crust too!
Can you freeze Cauliflower Tortillas?
This is a commonly asked question, but I haven’t tried freezing them so I’m not sure how well that works. My guess is that they would be fine. Just heat them in a hot skillet to warm them up and make them pliable again.
Can you use frozen cauliflower to make cauliflower tortillas?
Yes, but frozen cauliflower will have much more moisture in it. Be sure to squeeze out that extra moisture!
Try making cauliflower tortillas, and let me know what you think.
If you happen to be following the Weight Watchers WW plan, you will find a link to the WW Points on the recipe card below.
Cauliflower Tortillas
Ingredients
- ¾ large head cauliflower (or two cups riced)
- 2 large eggs (Vegans, sub flax eggs)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ medium lime, juiced and zested
- salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉., and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Trim the cauliflower, cut it into small, uniform pieces, and pulse in a food processor in batches until you get a couscous-like consistency. The finely riced cauliflower should make about 2 cups packed.
- Place the cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes, then stir and microwave again for another 2 minutes. If you don't use a microwave, a steamer works just as well. Place the cauliflower in a fine cheesecloth or thin dishtowel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible, being careful not to burn yourself. Dishwashing gloves are suggested as it is very hot.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs. Add in cauliflower, cilantro, lime, salt and pepper. Mix until well combined. Use your hands to shape 6 small "tortillas" on the parchment paper.
- Bake for 10 minutes, carefully flip each tortilla, and return to the oven for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until completely set. Place tortillas on a wire rack to cool slightly.
- Heat a medium-sized skillet on medium. Place a baked tortilla in the pan, pressing down slightly, and brown for 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
Notes
- You can munch these by themselves, make quesadillas with them, or add some taco filling and fold it like a taco.
- Some people have mentioned in the comments that they've had success using already riced cauliflower instead of processing a head of cauliflower.
- Leftover tortillas should freeze well for you.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If I don’t wanna use a microwave, is there another way around that? Can I just cook the cauliflower instead?
I haven’t tried it, but maybe steaming it?
These look really tasty! I honestly think this whole anti-grain diet thing is complete bull crap (unless you are actually intolerant to them obviously) and I seriously question the health benefits of avoiding grains but regardless, I think these are a fantastic idea as an alternative flavour and texture! Definitely going to be making these! Oh, and to the person freaking out over the microwave: maybe educate yourself before proclaiming things as harmful, you clearly have no idea what you are talking about.
I threw my microwave away at the beginning of the year is there another way I can do that step without the microwave please help I don’t want to ever use flour again
Try steaming.
Can these be frozen? Has anyone tried to freeze them?
mine fell apart too. I used a bag of frozen Cauliflower, after I had cooked it, I put it in the food processor. Then I added two eggs mixed it a little more. I tried to cook it on the skillet but it all fell apart???? I ended up adding a cup of oats flour to make it stay together
There is quite a bit more moisture in frozen cauliflower, so I think it’s best to stick with fresh.
It doesn’t work if you use frozen, or if you cook and then puree. I thought it might produce a smoother consistency but I don’t think I was able to get enough moisture out. Ifor I have areas that look a little thin or crumbly I will add just a little extra egg white to those spots before baking them.
Cauliflower Tortilla Recipe a classmate sent on email …is there a way I can get a copy without going on facebook? Email is
It takes so long to hand-write recipe. Thank you IF and WHEN this might be a possibility.
I’m not quite sure what you’re asking! You don’t have to go on FB to get the recipe. It’s right here!
I bet a dash of chili powder would be great in these, since chili-lime is a great flavor combo! For people having problems with them cracking when flipped, try putting another sheet of parchment paper over the top of the tortillas, then flipping the whole thing over at once.
Looks great! Any suggestions if u don’t have a microwave?
If you look through the comments, it looks like some people tried to steam it instead.
So I just made these, left them in the oven for 15 on the first side cause they seemed a little wet still ( I did wring them out in cheesecloth) but they cracked when I tried to flip them 🙁 . any suggestions?
not sure!
This looks like an amazing recipe, but if you go to such great lengths to make it healthy and then put it in the microwave. I’m confused. The microwave is a nasty machine that does not belong in the kitchen of a health minded paleo person.
I don’t have a problem with using the microwave, and it’s not my original recipe, so I’m not sure that the author’s thought process is. You can, however, always steam the cauliflower instead of putting it in the micro.