Description
These Basic Cauliflower Fritters are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer featuring tender cauliflower, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, they are perfect for a vegetarian snack or side dish. Made with simple ingredients and cooked on the stovetop, they can also be adapted for gluten-free diets or baked for a lighter version.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower Fritters
- 1 medium head cauliflower (cut into florets)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Cauliflower: Steam or boil the cauliflower florets until fork-tender, about 8–10 minutes. Drain thoroughly to remove excess water and let cool slightly to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely in the batter.
- Mash the Cauliflower: Transfer the cooled cauliflower to a large bowl and mash with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth but still slightly chunky for texture.
- Mix the Batter: Add the eggs, flour, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to the mashed cauliflower. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are fully combined into a cohesive batter.
- Heat the Oil: Warm 2–3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Ensure the oil is hot enough for frying but not smoking.
- Form and Cook Fritters: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture per fritter into the skillet. Flatten each one slightly with a spatula to form patties. Cook for 3–4 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown and develop a crisp crust.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the cooked fritters and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve warm, optionally with sour cream or a yogurt-based sauce for dipping.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with almond flour or a certified gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- To make a lighter version, bake the fritters at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- These fritters can be served as an appetizer, snack, or side dish with various dipping sauces such as tzatziki or marinara.
- Make sure to drain the cauliflower well to avoid soggy fritters.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fritter
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
