Mini Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese with Spinach

The classic and comforting grilled cheese sandwich with a healthy twist. Made with cauliflower, cheese, and baby spinach. These Mini Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese with Spinach sandwiches are low-carb, nutrient-dense, and perfect finger food for the little ones.

Mini Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese with Spinach

One of the most comforting foods we all love is a grilled cheese sandwich. Problem is they are not the healthiest food. These cauliflower crusted grilled cheese sandwiches bring the same comfort with the addition of adding nutritional value.

These are great to serve as finger food for toddlers and kids or even as an appetizer. They make for a great crowd pleaser and everyone can enjoy them. The baby spinach in them adds more nutrition and makes them that much healthier.

They are surprisingly easy to make and are even freezer friendly. We love these Mini Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese with Spinach recipe in our home. They are highly addicting and so good when paired with a classic bowl of tomato soup!

Ingredients needed to make Mini Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese with Spinach:

• Cauliflower– A large cauliflower head or about 4-5 cups of florets.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese– Freshly shredded is better.
• Spices and Herbs– Dried oregano, dried basil, pink sea salt, and black pepper.
• For Grilled Cheese– Swiss cheese and baby spinach.

Equipment needed to make Mini Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese with Spinach:

• Food Processor– To pulse the cauliflower in.
• Nut Bag– For draining some of the excess liquid from cauliflower.
• Cast Iron Skillet– You can also use a Griddle.
• Large Baking Sheet Pan– For baking your mini cauliflower sandwich breads.
• Parchment Paper– For lining baking sheet pan.
• Spatula– For flipping grilled cheeses.

How to make Mini Cauliflower Grilled Cheese with Spinach:

• Step 1– Preheat oven at 350 degrees F.
• Step 2– Remove stem from Cauliflower head and take florets apart. Place cauilflower florets in food processor bowl and pulse into small grainy pieces. Resembling rice. 
• Step 3– Using a nut bag or dish towel, place pulsed cauliflower in it and squeeze as much water as possible. Squeeze at least 1/2 cup of liquid from cauliflower. 
• Step 4– In a large mixing bowl, combine cauliflower with mozzarella cheese, egg, oregano, sea salt and black pepper. Toss until all ingredients are well combined together. 
• Step 5– Line a large baking sheet pan with parchment paper. Use an ice cream scooper or scpoon to scoop out Cauliflower mixture. Use your hands to shape scoop into a small square. Don’t thin out too much. Mixture makes about 12 mini breads that are about 3 in x 3 in.
• Step 6– Place mini breads in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Once they come out of the oven, allow mini breads to cool down for a few minutes.
• Step 7– Slice cheddar cheese slice into half then take those slices and cut into half again. You should end up with 12 small squares. Stack baby spinach leaves on top of each other. Fold in half lengthwise and slice to shred baby spinach. 
• Step 8– Take 2 mini breads and construct sandwiches with 2 squares of cheese and shredded spinach. Repeat with the rest of mini breads, cheese and spinach. Spreading the baby spinach evenly amongst all the sandwiches. You will end up with 6 mini sandwiches. 
• Step 9– Grease a cast iron skillet or griddle with olive oil and grill sandwiches like a regular grilled cheese. Don’t forget to flip over to other side. Grill for about 40 seconds on each side. Serve and enjoy!

Tips and Substitutions:

1. Don’t skip squeezing out as much liquid as possible out of cauliflower- This will reduce the amount of excess moisture and allow for the mini grilled cheeses to be easily shaped and to get crunchy on the outside when baked in the oven.
2. Line baking sheet pan with parchment paper- This will prevent cauliflower mini breads from sticking to the pan.
3. Switch up the cheese- Use mozzarella, gouda, or even provolone.

How to serve Mini Cauliflower Grilled Cheese:

These Mini Cauliflower Grilled Cheese sandwiches are great for the whole family to enjoy. They can be served as fun and low-carb appetizers or side. These are great for toddlers finger food or your kid’s school lunchboxes. They also make for a fun, tasty and healthy snack. We love these on the side of soups like:

• Tomato Soup
• Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Roasted Red Pepper Butternut Squash Soup
• Curry Coconut Pumpkin Soup
• Gluten-Free Minestrone Soup
• Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
• Chickpea Kale Coconut Soup

Mini Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese FAQ’s:

Are these toddler and kid friendly?

These Mini Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese sandwiches are perfect for toddlers and kids. They make for great finger food and the perfect servings for the little ones. These mini grilled cheese sandwiches are loaded with so many nutrients. Cauliflower, cheese, and baby spinach are rich in vitamins and minerals that are essential for the growth and development of small children.

These are also fun and easy to make and the kids can even help in the making. Makes for great family bonding time. They’re also great to pack for school lunches. These go great in a bento style lunchbox.

Can I use frozen cauliflower?

You can use frozen cauliflower just make sure to thaw it out first. Put through a cheese cloth or nut bag and make sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.

Storing Mini Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese:

Place any leftover Mini Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese sandwiches in an airtight container. Keep them refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. Reheat by placing back in a skillet over stovetop or griddle. You can pop in the oven or in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes. I wouldn’t reheat in the microwave as it will make them mushy.

Freezing Mini Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese:

These are certainly freezer friendly and great to build a freezer stash. Make your cauliflower crust and shape them into the mini “breads” and bake. Freeze each individual crust in a freezer or silicone bag. Place a small piece of parchment paper in between each crust to prevent them from sticking together.

Thaw-out in the fridge and place in the oven for 2-4 minutes. Then put together your grilled cheese sandwiches with the cheese and baby spinach. Pan fry on each side per the rest of the recipe directions below. Keep cauliflower mini breads frozen for up to 3-4 months.

Did you like this Mini Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese with Spinach recipe? You may also like these other Finger Food recipes:

• Sweet Potato Chickpea Nuggets
• Zucchini Quinoa Egg Bites
• Broccoli Tots
• Sweet Potato Apple Bites
• Broccoli Tots
• Eggplant Zucchini Fritters

5 from 1 vote

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Mini Cauliflower Grilled Cheese with Spinach

The classic and comforting grilled cheese sandwich with a healthy twist. Made with cauliflower, cheese, and baby spinach. These Mini Cauliflower Crusted Grilled Cheese with Spinach sandwiches are low-carb, nutrient-dense, and perfect finger food for the little ones. 

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword Cauliflower Grilled Cheese

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Servings 6 mini sandwiches

Calories 149 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 large cauliflower head
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3 slices white cheddar (or cheese of choice)
• 1/4 cup baby spinach
• extra virgin olive oil for greasing

Instructions

1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees F.

2. Remove stem from Cauliflower head and take florets apart. Place cauilflower florets in food processor bowl and pulse into small grainy pieces. Resembling rice.

3. Using a nut bag or dish towel, place pulsed cauliflower in it and squeeze as much water as possible. Squeeze at least 1/2 cup of liquid from cauliflower.

4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cauliflower with mozzarella cheese, egg, oregano, sea salt and black pepper. Toss until all ingredients are well combined together.

5. Line a large baking sheet pan with parchment paper. Use an ice cream scooper or scpoon to scoop out Cauliflower mixture. Use your hands to shape scoop into a small square. Don't thin out too much. Mixture makes about 12 mini breads that are about 3 in x 3 in.

6. Place mini breads in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Once they come out of the oven, allow mini breads to cool down for a few minutes.

7. Slice cheddar cheese slice into half then take those slices and cut into half again. You should end up with 12 small squares. Stack baby spinach leaves on top of each other. Fold in half lengthwise and slice to shred baby spinach.

8. Take 2 mini breads and construct sandwiches with 2 squares of cheese and shredded spinach. Repeat with the rest of mini breads, cheese and spinach. Spreading the baby spinach evenly amongst all the sandwiches. You will end up with 6 mini sandwiches.

9. Grease a cast iron skillet or griddle with olive oil and grill sandwiches like a regular grilled cheese. Don't forget to flip over to other side. Grill for about 40 seconds on each side. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Tips and Substitutions:

1. Don’t skip squeezing out as much liquid as possible out of cauliflower- This will reduce the amount of excess moisture and allow for the mini grilled cheeses to be easily shaped and to get crunchy on the outside when baked in the oven.
2. Line baking sheet pan with parchment paper- This will prevent cauliflower mini breads from sticking to the pan.
3. Switch up the cheese- Use mozzarella, gouda, or even provolone.

Nutrition Facts

Mini Cauliflower Grilled Cheese with Spinach

Amount per Serving

Calories

149

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

10

g

15

%

Saturated Fat

 

6

g

38

%

Trans Fat

 

0.003

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

0.5

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

3

g

Cholesterol

 

56

mg

19

%

Sodium

 

346

mg

15

%

Potassium

 

334

mg

10

%

Carbohydrates

 

6

g

2

%

Fiber

 

2

g

8

%

Sugar

 

2

g

2

%

Protein

 

10

g

20

%

Vitamin A

 

429

IU

9

%

Vitamin C

 

47

mg

57

%

Calcium

 

225

mg

23

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Number of total servings in estimated. Actual number of servings may vary depending on your own personal preference in portion sizes.

**Nutritional values shown are general guidelines for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above. These numbers do not reflect and may vary depending on substitutions, additions and/or different brands and/or other ingredients that may be used. 

**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and sponsored content. All the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I use in my own home with my own family. 

*Post updated as of 3/21/2020

**Recipe and Photos updated as of 9/5/2020