Quest Blumenkohl-Makkaroni und Käsehäppchen

Ingredients

Cauliflower Mac and 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 grated cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder, divided
• 1 tsp onion powder, divided
• ¼ tsp salt, divided
• ¼ tsp paprika
• 3 bags Quest Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips, finely crushed
• 1 egg, beaten
• 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 cauliflower into 1-inch pieces and place on the baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat evenly. Bake cauliflower for about 15-20 minutes until tender. Turn off the oven.
4. Line a 6×6-inch pan with plastic wrap and set aside.
5. Melt butter over low to medium heat in a medium saucepan. Once melted, stir in tapioca flour, heavy cream, and water.
6. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add the cheese, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp salt, and paprika, stirring until the cheese melts.
7. Once melted and smooth, add the roasted cauliflower. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to the pan lined with plastic wrap. Press the cauliflower mac and cheese into an even layer, cover with more plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
8. Place the crushed tortilla chips in a shallow bowl, the beaten egg in another shallow bowl, and the flour 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 now be firm) and cut into 16 equally sized squares.
11. Dredge each square in the flour mixture, then brush with the beaten egg, and finally coat with the crushed chips until covered.
12. Place each coated square on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
13. Bake the bites for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Serve immediately.