Description

Crispy, cheesy, and kid-approved cauliflower bars that taste like loaded baked potatoes. This gluten-free, low-carb recipe is easy to make and perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

1 large head cauliflower (about 2–2.5 lbs / 900-1100g)
2 large eggs
4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
1 cup (100g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
½ cup (50g) extra shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
2–3 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Sour cream (optional, for serving)
Hot sauce (optional, for serving)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×9 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Remove leaves and trim the stem from the cauliflower. Cut into large florets.
Place florets in a pot of boiling salted water and cook for 8-10 minutes until very tender. Drain and let cool for 5 minutes.
Wrap the warm cauliflower in cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
In a large bowl, combine the squeezed cauliflower, softened cream cheese, eggs, 1 cup shredded cheddar, cooked bacon, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
Press the mixture firmly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly to about ½ inch thickness.
Bake for 20 minutes until the top is set and lightly golden.
Remove from oven, sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar, and broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Let the bars cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes to set.
Lift out of the pan and cut into squares. Serve warm with sour cream and green onions.

Notes

Squeezing out the water from the cauliflower is the most critical step for crispy bars. Do not skip the cooling time before cutting, or the bars will fall apart. For best results, use sharp cheddar cheese. These can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 180
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 350
Fat: 12
Saturated Fat: 7
Carbohydrates: 6
Fiber: 2
Protein: 12

Keywords: cauliflower bars, loaded baked potato, gluten-free, keto, low-carb, weeknight dinner, kid-friendly, vegetarian option