Raw Broccoli Patties

These vibrant broccoli patties are made using raw broccoli rice and a moderate amount of cheese.  Ready in under 20 minutes, they make a delicious snack or appetizer.

These broccoli patties are made using a handful of ingredients including raw broccoli so they come together very quickly. All that's required is to blend the broccoli, combine with the other ingredients and make the cakes.

These raw broccoli cakes not only retain their vibrant green colour but, most importantly, taste absolutely delicious! They have a soft texture and refreshing flavour, quite different from veggie patties using pre-cooked broccoli. 

Broccoli patties ingredients and substitutions

• Broccoli.
• Cheese: a combination of cheddar and parmesan for more depth of flavour, but you can use mozzarella and another hard cheese if preferred.
• Garlic.
• Onion granules:
• Egg: used for binding.
• Breadcrumbs: help to bind the mixture and create a crispy finish. You can use finely ground instant oats instead.
• Oil: olive or vegetable.
• Salt and pepper to taste.

What part of broccoli is best to use 

Use mainly the florets in this broccoli cakes recipe. You can use the thin stems but I don’t recommend using the main thick stem as it’s full of moisture and you don’t want watery patties.  (If you are adding broccoli rice to a dish with lots of moisture in it, such as broccoli soup, it’s perfectly fine to blend the stem along with the florets).

But don't discard the stem! It’s delicious raw as a snack or you could roast it and make broccoli dip.

Assembling the recipe

1.Chop the raw broccoli into chunks, place in a blender and pulse until the mixture becomes crumbly. Be careful not to overblend and turn the mixture into paste.  You should still be able to see bits of broccoli in it.

2. Next, add the cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, garlic and onion granules and pulse again briefly until the mixture starts coming together and becoming sticky.  It should still be grainy.  Do NOT puree until smooth. 

3. Transfer to a bowl, season to taste, then add the egg and breadcrumbs and stir thoroughly.

4. Finally, form small broccoli fritters and coat in the breadcrumbs.

How to cook broccoli fritters

Heat up about 1 tablespoon of the oil and place the patties in the pan.  Lower the heat and fry on each side for about 3 minutes or until lightly browned.  It is important to cook them over a low heat so they do not brown too quickly.  Add a bit of oil once you’ve turned them over.

Top tip

Give these broccoli cheese cakes plenty of space in the pan.  As they are quite soft it will be easier to turn them over without spoiling their shape.  I recommend using a large flat pancake pan if you’ve got one or a large shallow pan to fry them in.

Why are my fritters falling apart

This can happen if you haven't used enough binding ingredients. This recipe uses egg, breadcrumbs and cheese which together help to bind the mixture and your fritters should hold their shape. 

Make sure, however, that they are compact and firm, not too big and have a nice round shape before coating them in the breadcrumbs so do take time when forming them. 

Top tips

• If you have a small blender it is best to work in batches.
• Be careful not to overblend the broccoli mixture.
• I recommend using a large flat pancake pan if you’ve got one or a large non-stick shallow pan.
• Do not overcrowd the frying pan so it's easy to turn them over. 
• Fry on a low heat so they have a chance to cook inside without browning too much on the outside.
• Best served hot while crispy.
• Leftover broccoli patties can be refrigerated (covered) for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in a microwave or serve cold as a snack.
• I do not recommend using raw onion instead of onion granules as raw onion is full of moisture so you’d need to use more breadcrumbs to bind the mixture (this might impact the flavour).  Onion granules (or onion powder) have an intense flavour, which works really well as raw onion substitute.
• Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Can I use cooked broccoli instead of raw

I do not recommend it. This recipe will only work if you use raw broccoli rice, so it is not suitable for using leftover cooked broccoli.  Cooked broccoli would work better combined with mashed potatoes or another starchy binding ingredient.  And it would taste different too!

Serving suggestions

These healthy broccoli patties go well with lots of yogurt-based dips such as tzatziki, ranch or creamy mustard dill. They work equally well with tomato-based sauce including roasted tomato salsa and homemade bbq sauce.  For a main meal idea serve them alongside mashed potatoes or spiced potato wedges.  Or you can enjoy them simply as a snack on their own.  They are delicious hot or cold.

Related recipes

• Cauliflower Cheese Patties
• Red Cabbage Patties
• Mung Bean Patties with Mushrooms and Cheese
• Sweet Potato Fritters (Vegan, Gluten Free)
• Potato Zucchini Fritters (No Flour)

Check out also these other healthy snack ideas!

Keep in touch!

How has this broccoli patties recipe turned out for you?  Let me know in the comments below, thanks!

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