Cauliflower Fritters [A Step-By-Step Recipe]

These cauliflower fritters are a delicious side dish or even a main course for vegetarians!

Cauliflower fritters are mashed cauliflower formed into patties. They can be served along with a variety of dipping sauces and can be made with any vegetables similar to cauliflower.

A white plate with three Cauliflower Fritters sticked on top of each other. Dried herbs garnish the plate and fritters.

Cauliflower is such a versatile vegetable. You can turn it into rice, pizza crust, or even mashed potatoes! You just can’t get more versatile than that with any other veggie!

What Are Cauliflower Fritters?

Cauliflower fritters are like big, thick, savory, pancakes. They are held together by eggs (and sometimes flour) and make a really delicious option for a side dish or a vegetarian main course.

Are Cauliflower Fritters Good For You?

If you keep the oil relatively low, then there is no reason they shouldn’t be! After all, they are vegetables!

Can I Make These Cauliflower Fritters Ahead Of Time?

You can make the mix ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to cook them ahead of time, you can do that too. Again, they will last for 3 days. But you’ll need to reheat them. (More info on that below)

How To Serve Cauliflower Fritters

These can be served as a side dish to just about any protein. Chicken, fish, beef, and pork will all work well here.

Garnish with cheese (Mini Chef loves cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese with these), sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh herbs such as fresh parsley, salt, and pepper.

Tips For Forming Your Fritters

  1. These can fall apart a bit until they are mostly cooked. So form and press them with your spatula.
  2. Get your pan nice and hot before cooking these. You want to drop the patties into a hot pan with hot oil. It doesn’t have to be a lot of oil, but heat is your friend here. You can reduce the heat as they cook so they don’t burn. But get that pan hot when you first put them in.
Three cauliflower fritters sit on a white plate, garnished with dry herbs.

Can I Use Other Veggies Instead Of Cauliflower To Make These Fritters?

Yep! A few good ones are:

  • Zucchini
  • Potatos
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Winter Squash – many varieties

Keto Cauliflower Fritters

If you eat low carb or keto, definitely avoid the addition of optional flour. The rest is pretty low-carb friendly naturally! But if you want to use flour to give these more stability, almond flour is a good choice for keto, gluten-free, or paleo diets.

Ingredient Checklist

2 cups riced cauliflower – Easily riced with a ricer or food processor. Or purchase riced cauliflower at the store. You should have enough if you purchase 1 large head of cauliflower or a 1 lb. bag of cauliflower florets.

3 large eggs

1 tsp. dried tarragon

½ tsp. garlic powder – or garlic granules

oil – for cooking.  I use either avocado oil or coconut oil.

¼ cup oat flour – optional, to give them a bit more structure. I did not use it, but you can if you wish.

How To Make Cauliflower Fritters

All the ingredients for this Cauliflower Fritters Recipe collected in small bowls and placed on a white surface.

These are pretty simple to make. Treat them similarly to mashed potatoes. Cook the cauliflower in a large pot over medium-high heat until it’s soft. You can sprinkle a little sea salt over the top just for flavor if you like.

The ingredients for this Cauliflower Fritters Recipe mixed together in a white bowl.

In a large bowl, mash all ingredients together with a potato masher. It can be lumpy, but the lumps should be fairly even throughout.

A single Cauliflower Fritter cooking on a hot, black skillet.

Put a small amount of oil in a skillet (unless you are using non-stick), form the cauliflower mixture into patties, and cook like you would a pancake, and cook until golden brown on both sides.

If they start to break apart when you slide the spatula under them during cooking, they haven’t cooked long enough. Let them cook a bit longer and then try flipping them again.

How To Reheat Leftover Cauliflower Fritters

  • Microwave – Cook on high for 30 seconds to a minute, depending on how many you are heating at one time.
  • Stovetop – You can reheat these in a pan with a light spritz of oil over medium heat.
  • Oven – Place on a cookie sheet, heat oven to 350 F. and bake for about 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them. If they start to brown too much, you may need to place a loose piece of foil over the top.
  • Air Fryer – You may have to heat one at a time, depending on their size and your air fryer, but you can heat them at 400 F. for 5-10 minutes, depending on your air fryer.

Can You Freeze These?

I don’t recommend it. They will definitely freeze, but they will also fall apart when they thaw. If you don’t mind cauliflower scramble instead of patties, then freezing may be an option.

Recipe Supplies

While any pan can be used, I recommend a pan with low sides, such as a crepe pan. It’s not essential, but it makes life easier. Also, a good food processor will make quick work of these.

More Fritter Recipes

Cauliflower Fritters Recipe Card

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A white plate stacked with three Cauliflower Fritters.

Cauliflower Fritters Recipe

A delicious side dish or vegetarian main course!
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Course: Vegetables
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 fritters (3 inch diameter)
Calories: 35kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Food processor

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked cauliflower (I steamed mine)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tsp. dried tarragon
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • oil (for cooking)
  • grated parmesan (optional for garnish)
  • ¼ cup oat flour (optional, to give them a bit more structure. I did not use it, but you can if you wish.)

Instructions

  • These are pretty simple to make. Treat them similarly to mashed potatoes. Cook the cauliflower in a large pot over medium high heat until it's soft. You can sprinkle a little sea salt over the top just for flavor if you like.
    All the ingredients for this Cauliflower Fritters Recipe collected in small bowls and placed on a white surface.
  • In a large bowl, mash all ingredients together with a potato masher. It can be lumpy, but the lumps should be fairly even throughout.
    The ingredients for this Cauliflower Fritters Recipe mixed together in a white bowl.
  • Put a small amount of oil in a skillet (unless you are using non-stick), form the cauliflower mixture into patties, and cook like you would a pancake, until golden brown on both sides.
    If they start to break apart when you slide the spatula under them during cooking, they haven’t cooked long enough. Let them cook a bit longer and then try flipping them again.
    A single Cauliflower Fritter cooking on a hot, black skillet.
  • Serve as a main course or side dish.
    Clean Eating Cauliflower Fritters Recipe

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data given here is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 1fritter | Calories: 35kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 34mg | Potassium: 108mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 112IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

Recipe from the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted 1/12/13.

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20 Comments

  1. I made these with sesame and basil today… really yummy 😀
    I’m just discovering all the wonderfulness your site has to offer, thank you!

  2. graciouspantry says:

    For me, it was about 1 head of cauliflower.

  3. graciouspantry says:

    I’m sure they could freeze, but I’m not positive because I haven’t done it. Sorry! I don’t see any reason why they can’t though.

    1. graciouspantry says:

      I steamed mine.

  4. graciouspantry says:

    I’m sure they could freeze, but I’m not positive because I haven’t done it. Sorry! I don’t see any reason why they can’t though.

  5. We have a Lavender spice blend from a local lavender farm here in Oregon and love it so it will go into our Cauli friiters…also like the sesame seed idea and pehaps use coconut oil instead of olive. About the freezing they should freeze well. We made some baked farm fresh Cauli w/swiss cheese and put it into single serve freezer portions last fall…tastes fine after the freeze mode. Texture is not wierd or anything.

  6. graciouspantry says:

    I just steamed it.

  7. Amber Joseph says:

    This was entirely TOO DELICIOUS!!!!!! It took me 3 tries before I realized I didn’t have the heat high enough…the fritters kept falling apart, but once I tried the last batch w/ the heat on about 8 they came out perfectly! Cooked up just like a pancake and taste soooo good!!!! I am in love!!!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Ya, they can be touchy. But once you get it, they work fine. Glad you enjoyed them! 🙂

  8. does the cauliflower have to be precooked? softened?

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Yes, the recipe calls for cooked cauliflower.

  9. The Runner says:

    I will try them today ; )

  10. This sounds yummy! Will have to try it soon.

  11. I was wondering if I can substitute the eggs with anything? Any ideas?

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Nadia – I’ve have people try wheat germ and apple sauce with some of my other fritter recipes, but I have a feeling this one may fall apart.

  12. Lynne Gill says:

    Hi Tiffany, stumbled upon your site while searching for gluten/dairy free recipes the other night.Had a HUGE cauliflower, half of which I’m using today for celeriac and cauliflower mash, and was wanting something ‘interesting’ to do with the other half. This so totally fit the bill! I grow lots of herbs and I still have fresh parley growing – real winter hasn’t hit us yet! Also have oregano and marjoram which I prefer to the tarragon. Love how you can adjust your recipes to suit your own tastes. I shall be subscribing, and pinning!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Lynne – Thanks so much! I’m happy you enjoyed it! 🙂

  13. just made these and they are great! had an idea while making them that you could put any pre-cooked veggie in and make hand-held “omelettes” for kiddos!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Susie – Yes!!! Great idea! 😀