Roasted Spiced Cauliflower with Dates & Tahini

This is the cauliflower recipe you'll want in your back pocket for busy weeknights, casual dinners, and gatherings alike. It travels beautifully, making it one of those quick side dishes that's perfect for parties, potlucks, or meal prep ahead of time. Even better, it's absolutely jam-packed with sweet and savory flavors that feel fancy but require minimal effort.

I mention below that this recipe serves 4–6 as a side dish, but if I'm being completely honest, I nearly ate the entire sheet pan myself — my husband only managed to snag a few bites. It's that good. Nothing compares to lightly caramelized roasted cauliflower paired with sweet, chewy dates and finished with the most luxurious, creamy tahini sauce. Every bite is rich, comforting, and totally satisfying.

Whether you're looking for easy vegetable side dishes, a crowd-pleasing addition to a potluck, or a nourishing recipe to add to your weekly rotation, this one delivers. It's cozy, flavorful, and memorable in the best way — exactly the kind of dish you'll find yourself coming back to again and again.

I hope you enjoy this roasted cauliflower side dish as much as we do. Cheers!

Roasted Spiced Cauliflower with Dates & Tahini

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30–40 minutes
Serves: Serves 4–6 as a side

Ingredients

Tahini Sauce
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup runny tahini (Soom brand recommended)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • Fat pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons water, plus more to thin as needed
Roasted Cauliflower
  • 1 large head of cauliflower, broken into florets
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped dates
  • 1 small bunch of parsley, finely chopped

Preparation

  1. Prepare the tahini sauce by combining all the ingredients and whisking until smooth and creamy. Add more water to thin if needed. Taste for seasonings and adjust as necessary.
  2. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss the cauliflower with the spices, salt, and olive oil. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and lightly crisp, tossing halfway through.
  3. Transfer the roasted cauliflower to a bowl and drizzle with half of the tahini dressing. Add the walnuts, dates, and parsley. Drizzle with more dressing to taste and serve.

Notes

Use this recipe as a guide and adjust measurements and ingredients as necessary.

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