Cheat on Cauliflower Mac & Cheese Bites with Cauliflower Mac & Cheese Bites. Who says comfort food can’t be healthy? These high-protein Cauliflower Mac & Cheese Bites are here to challenge the status quo, offering a mouthwatering alternative to the classic mac & cheese. By swapping out traditional pasta for nutrient-rich cauliflower and incorporating a protein boost, these bites are a perfect blend of indulgence and nutrition. These bites will leave you feeling satisfied without any of the guilt.

Check out the full recipe below:

NUTRITIONAL INFO

CAULIFLOWER MAC & CHEESE BITES

Yields: 8 servings |  Serving Size: 2 bites

Calories: 290  | Protein: 15g  | Fat: 21g | Net Carb: 8g

Total Carb: 10g   | Sugar: 3g

Ingredients

CAULIFLOWER MAC & CHEESE BITES

  • 1 large head of cauliflower
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • ½ tsp tapioca flour
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 tsp garlic powder, separated
  • 1 tsp onion powder, separated
  • ¼ tsp salt, separated
  • ¼ tsp paprika
  • 3 Bags Quest Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips, finely crushed
  • 1 egg, whisked
  • 2 tbsp gluten free all purpose flour

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F and prepare a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cut the cauliflower into 1” pieces and place them on the baking sheet.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to evenly coat. Bake the cauliflower until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Turn off the oven.
  4. Line a 6×6 inch pan with plastic wrap and set aside.
  5. Place the butter into the bottom of a medium sized pot over low-medium heat. Once melted, stirin the tapioca flour, heavy cream and water.
  6. Simmer for 5 minutes and then add in the cheese, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp salt and ¼ tsp paprika and stir until the cheese melts.
  7. Once melted and smooth add in the roasted cauliflower. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to the pan with plastic wrap. Use a rubber spatula to press the cauliflower mac and cheese in an even layer, cover with more plastic and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
  8. Place the crushed tortilla chips into a shallow bowl, the egg in its own shallow bowl and the flour along with the remaining spices in a third bowl.
  9. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  10. Remove the cauliflower mac and cheese from the pan (it should be solid now) and cut it into 16 evenly sized squares.
  11. Toss each square in the flour mixture, then coat with the whisked egg and then finally toss in the crushed chips until coated.
  12. Place each coated square onto a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  13. Bake the bites for 12-15 minutes and golden. Serve immediately.

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