These crispy cauliflower fritters are how I trick my kids into eating veggies . They even ask for seconds. The parmesan and savory seasonings make these golden, cheesy, and packed with flavor!

Stack of crispy cauliflower fritters.  - 1

A Reader’s Review

Fantastic!

Why My Cauliflower Fritters Stand Above the Rest

  • Better batter, better results: The light batter, made with egg, green onion, and spices, fries up golden without hiding the cauliflower.
  • Next-level crunch: Italian breadcrumbs are my secret weapon. If that’s not in your pantry yet, it should be. You’ll never fry without it again.
  • Cauliflower done right: My quick hot water soak trick gets into every floret so you can cook with confidence.

Ingredients Needed

Overhead shot of labeled ingredients.  - 2
  • Cauliflower : Fresh cauliflower is best! Using frozen cauliflower adds too much moisture, and cauliflower rice is too small. I found that it affected the overall texture of the fritters.
  • Cheese: Want to switch it up? Swap the parmesan for shredded cheddar for a richer, melty twist.

How to Make Crispy Cauliflower Fritters

Crispy Cauliflower Fritters are super addictive and a breeze to make! They are like a vegetarian version of popcorn chicken and taste great with some sriracha or sweet chili sauce . For a meat version, try my chicken fritters !

  1. Prep and Boil: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Steam or boil 1 head of cauliflower, chopped into small florets, for 5-10 minutes or until tender. It should be mashable but not mushy. Drain well and cool slightly before mashing.
  2. Mash: In a large bowl, mash the cauliflower with a fork or potato masher until slightly chunky.
  3. Combine: Stir in flour, Italian breadcrumbs , garlic powder, onion powder, grated parmesan cheese, one large egg, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  4. Make Patties: Form the mixture into small uniform patties.
  5. Fry and Serve: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Cook the patties in batches for 6-8 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Add more oil to the pan, as needed. Garnish cauliflower fritters with chopped green onions and serve with your favorite dipping sauce .
Cauliflower florets in a pot of water.  - 3

Alyssa’s Cauliflower Fritters Pro Tip

Chill the Mixture: If the mixture feels too wet, put it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before forming the patties. Any longer and you will need to let the mixture come to room temperature slightly before cooking.

Plate of fried crispy cauliflower fritters.  - 4

More Crispy Appetizers To Try

If you’re a fan of crispy appetizers, be sure to check out my fried cauliflower bites , baked parmesan ravioli , avocado fries , and garlic chicken bites . Here are a few more to try.

Crispy Cauliflower Fritters - 5 Crispy Cauliflower Fritters - 6

Easy

Crispy Parmesan Fried Zucchini

15 minutes

Crispy Cauliflower Fritters - 7 Crispy Cauliflower Fritters - 8

Appetizers

Fried Pickles Recipe

15 minutes

Crispy Cauliflower Fritters - 9 Crispy Cauliflower Fritters - 10

Appetizers

Crispy Onion Rings (Baked or Fried!)

30 minutes

Crispy Cauliflower Fritters - 11 Crispy Cauliflower Fritters - 12

Appetizers

Fried Calamari

50 minutes

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Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 head cauliflower chopped into small florets (about 3 cups)
  • ▢ ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ▢ ¼ cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • ▢ ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ▢ 1 large egg
  • ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
  • ▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ▢ Olive oil for frying
  • ▢ chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Steam 1 head cauliflower , chopped into small florets, for 5-10 minutes or until tender. It should be mashable but not mushy. Drain well and cool slightly before mashing.
  • In a large bowl, mash the cauliflower with a fork or potato masher until slightly chunky.
  • Stir in ¼ cup all-purpose flour , ¼ cup Italian breadcrumbs , ½ teaspoon garlic powder , ½ teaspoon onion powder , ½ cup grated parmesan cheese , 1 large egg , ½ teaspoon salt , and ½ teaspoon black pepper until well combined.
  • Form the mixture into small uniform patties.
  • Heat Olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Cook the patties in batches for 6-8 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Add more oil to the pan, as needed. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Crispy Cauliflower Fritters - 13

Cauliflower Fritters

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower chopped into small florets (about 3 cups)
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Olive oil for frying
  • chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Steam 1 head cauliflower , chopped into small florets, for 5-10 minutes or until tender. It should be mashable but not mushy. Drain well and cool slightly before mashing.
  • In a large bowl, mash the cauliflower with a fork or potato masher until slightly chunky.
  • Stir in ¼ cup all-purpose flour , ¼ cup Italian breadcrumbs , ½ teaspoon garlic powder , ½ teaspoon onion powder , ½ cup grated parmesan cheese , 1 large egg , ½ teaspoon salt , and ½ teaspoon black pepper until well combined.
  • Form the mixture into small uniform patties.
  • Heat Olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Cook the patties in batches for 6-8 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Add more oil to the pan, as needed. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

Nutrition

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Cauliflower Fritters https://therecipecritic.com/crispy-cauliflower-fritters/