Golden Cauliflower Fritters Recipe: A Crispy Family Favorite

Weeknight dinners get a delightful upgrade with these crispy cauliflower fritters that blend golden crunch and savory flavors.

Packed with herbs and spices, these fritters turn ordinary vegetables into an irresistible side dish.

The tender cauliflower inside provides a soft contrast to the perfectly crisp exterior.

Each bite delivers a satisfying crackle that hints at the deliciousness within.

You’ll love how quickly these come together with simple ingredients already in your kitchen.

A sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dollop of tangy yogurt sauce takes these fritters from good to absolutely spectacular.

Prepare to fall in love with this easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that transforms humble cauliflower into a star.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 4

Basic Cauliflower Fritter Ingredient Checklist

• Cauliflower: Select fresh, firm heads with tight, creamy white florets that signal peak ripeness and sweetness.
• Eggs: Fresh eggs bind the fritters and provide rich, luxurious texture and protein boost.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates crispy exterior and helps ingredients stick together perfectly.

• Green Onions: Brings sharp, mild onion brightness and vibrant color to the fritters.
• Garlic: Adds deep, aromatic warmth and classic savory undertones.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces nutty, salty complexity and helps create golden-brown crust.

• Salt: Amplifies and balances entire dish's flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Delivers subtle, warm heat and gentle spiciness.
• Paprika: Contributes mild smokiness and beautiful reddish undertone.
• Olive Oil: Enables perfect crispy frying and adds subtle fruity notes.
• Sour Cream or Yogurt: Provides cool, tangy contrast to hot fritters.

Tools to Cook Crispy Basic Cauliflower Fritters

• Large skillet: Essential for frying fritters to golden perfection with even heat distribution.
• Mixing bowl: Crucial for combining batter ingredients smoothly and thoroughly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending eggs and creating a uniform, lump-free mixture.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping green onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable cutting.
• Fork or potato masher: Great for breaking down cooked cauliflower into small pieces.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps achieve accurate ingredient proportions.
• Paper towels: Useful for draining excess oil from cooked fritters.

How to Make Basic Cauliflower Fritters Golden Brown

• Tenderize Cauliflower

Zap or steam the cauliflower until soft and easily mashable. Cool it down and crumble into tiny pieces using a fork or knife.

• Whip Up Batter

Create a creamy mixture by whisking eggs, then folding in flour, cheese, green onions, garlic, and spices. Blend the crumbled cauliflower into the batter until perfectly combined.

• Sizzle and Crisp

Pour olive oil into a skillet and heat to medium. Dollop spoonfuls of batter into the pan, gently flattening each one. Cook until edges turn golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.

• Plate and Enjoy

Transfer fritters to a paper towel to drain excess oil. Serve piping hot alongside a creamy dip like sour cream or tangy yogurt. Enjoy these crispy, cheesy bites while they’re fresh and warm.

Add Cheese or Herbs to Basic Cauliflower Fritters

• Pat cauliflower completely dry after cooking to prevent soggy fritters and ensure maximum crispiness.
• Experiment with different cheeses like sharp cheddar, feta, or parmesan to create unique flavor profiles that complement the cauliflower's mild taste.
• Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for those with wheat sensitivities while maintaining a delightful texture.
• Sneak extra nutrition by mixing in finely grated zucchini or carrots into the batter without compromising the fritter's delicate structure.
• Explore global flavors by adding cumin, curry powder, or smoked paprika to transform the basic recipe into an international culinary experience.

Serve Basic Cauliflower Fritters With a Dip

• Dip and Drizzle Delight: Pair these golden fritters with a zesty tzatziki sauce for a tangy Mediterranean twist.
• Breakfast Buddy Boost: Top the fritters with a perfectly poached egg and sprinkle fresh chives for a hearty morning meal.
• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange fritters on a wooden board with small bowls of different dipping sauces like sriracha mayo, herbed ranch, or spicy aioli for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
• Green Garden Garnish: Scatter fresh microgreens or chopped parsley over the fritters to add a burst of color and fresh herbaceous flavor that complements the crispy texture.

Store Basic Cauliflower Fritters for Quick Snacks

• Store cooled fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping a paper towel inside to absorb excess moisture.
• Crisp up refrigerated fritters in a preheated oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes, restoring their original crunchiness and preventing sogginess.
• Layer fritters between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, where they'll stay delicious for 1-2 months, perfect for make-ahead meal planning.
• Mix dry ingredients and chop cauliflower in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator to reduce day-of cooking time and streamline your kitchen workflow.

Crispy Cauliflower Fritters Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crispy Mediterranean cauliflower fritters bring sunlight onto your plate with golden, herb-kissed delights. Crunchy edges and tender centers make these simple bites perfect for sharing with friends during casual gatherings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 small head of cauliflower (about 3 cups, finely chopped)
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (120 ml) all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
• ½ cup (50 g) shredded cheese (cheddar or Parmesan)
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) paprika (optional)
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil (for frying)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Cauliflower Preparation: Steam or microwave cauliflower until tender, allowing it to cool before finely chopping or mashing with a fork to create a soft, uniform texture.
2. Batter Creation: Whisk eggs in a mixing bowl, then incorporate flour, cheese, green onions, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika. Fold in the mashed cauliflower, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly integrated for a consistent mixture.
3. Frying Technique: Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, carefully dropping spoonfuls of batter to form fritters. Gently flatten each portion and cook until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior, flipping once to ensure even crispiness on both sides.
4. Serving Presentation: Transfer fritters to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil, then arrange on a serving platter. Accompany with sour cream, yogurt, or a complementary dipping sauce to enhance the flavor profile and provide a creamy contrast to the crisp fritters.

Notes

• Remove excess water from steamed cauliflower by gently pressing with a clean kitchen towel to prevent soggy fritters.
• Use medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure each fritter develops a golden, crisp exterior without becoming greasy.
• Experiment with different herbs like dill, parsley, or chives, and swap cheese types to create unique flavor profiles matching your taste preferences.
• Substitute gluten-free flour for traditional flour to make the recipe celiac-friendly, or replace eggs with ground flaxseed for a vegan version that maintains binding properties.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg