These delicious cauliflower patties are made using cauliflower rice and a moderate amount of cheese (plus a few extra ingredients to help bind the mixture). Perfect as a snack or party food idea.
Today I am sharing a super speedy, healthy and delicious recipe for cauliflower patties with cheese. These shallow fried veggie patties are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. They are made using cauliflower rice so there is no need to precook the cauliflower. Simply blitz, combine with the rest of the ingredients and make the patties!
Why you will love these cauliflower patties
- These cauliflower fritters are simple, quick and easy to make! You'll only need 10 minutes for preparation and another 10 for frying.
- They are extremely versatile, perfect as a snack, appetizer or light meal.
- They require a handful of ingredients.
Ingredients
In addition to the cauliflower these patties also contain fresh herbs, mature cheddar cheese, 1 garlic clove, simple seasoning and some breadcrumbs to help bind the mixture. I also used some breadcrumbs for coating, to give these patties a crispy finish. You'll only need about 2 tablespoons of oil for frying.
Top tip
You can use the entire cauliflower in this recipe: both the florets as well as the stalk.
Step-by-step recipe instructions
1.In a blender combine the cauliflower rice with the garlic and herbs.
2. Pulse until crumbly (do not overblend).
3. Add the cheese, seasoning and 4 tablespoons of the breadcrumbs and pulse the mixture again briefly until it becomes sticky (though still grainy, not completely mushy).
4. Form small patties and coat them in the remaining breadcrumbs.
5. Shallow fry in a little oil over a medium heat for approximately 2 minutes on each side. Serve immediately.
Top tips
- Make sure you don't overblend the cauliflower mixture and turn it into a paste. I blended the cauliflower with the garlic and cilantro to ensure the flavour was evenly distributed.
- If you have a small blender it's best to make the cauliflower rice in batches.
- The cauliflower mixture is blended twice to allow all the ingredients to bind together and form a thick batter that's easy to work with. Make sure the mixture is still grainy, not completely mushy.
- You can swap the cilantro for parsley or chives. Also, you could add 1 teaspoon of paprika (sweet or smoked), curry powder or ½ teaspoon of turmeric (for colour) into the mixture.
- To save time you can prepare the cauliflower rice ahead. Keep it covered in the fridge overnight and make the patties the next day.
- Best served immediately.
- Not suitable for freezing.
Substitutions
- Cilantro/fresh coriander: Use parsley, chives, tarragon or thai basil.
- Cheese: Use mild cheddar, your favourite semi-hard cheese, or even grated halloumi.
Optional add-ins
These simple cauliflower patties can be made using a variety of spice blends so you can enjoy them a little differently every time. They are delicious with:
- Cajun seasoning
- Jamaican jerk seasoning
- Chipotle seasoning
- Harissa
Top tip
If you do decide to add any of these seasoning blends use 2 tsps (or to taste) each and lower the amount of salt.
Serving suggestions
These cauliflower fritters make a great alternative to potatoes or rice, or even salad! They are also a healthy and satisfying snack and you can enjoy them either hot or cold. They make ideal party food too! Delicious on their own, they can also be enjoyed with dips, such as homemade ranch dip, guacamole as well as crispy coleslaw.
Related recipes
- Broccoli Cheese Patties
- Beetroot and Potato Patties
- Mung Bean Patties with Mushrooms & Cheese
- Sweet Potato Fritters (Vegan, Gluten Free)
- Cauliflower Muffins with Cheese and Chives
Keep in touch!
How have your cauliflower patties with cheese turned out for you? Let me know in the comments below, thanks!
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Simple Cauliflower Patties (Egg Free)
Equipment
- Food processor
- Large non-stick pan
Ingredients
- 1 small cauliflower roughly chopped, approx. 450 g (1 lb), use both florets and stalk
- 1 cup grated mature cheddar cheese or another strong cheese
- 4 tbsp cilantro/fresh coriander finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove or to taste, finely chopped
- 1 tsp fine sea salt and black, white or cayenne pepper each
- 6 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 3-4 tbsp olive oil for frying
Instructions
- In a blender process the cauliflower, garlic and cilantro to obtain a coarse, crumbly mixture (do not overblend). Work in batches if you have a small blender. Add the pepper, salt, cheese and 4 tablespoons of the breadcrumbs and pulse again until the mixture becomes sticky rather than crumbly (it should still be grainy, not mushy).Â
- Â Form small patties and coat in the remaining breadcrumbs.
- Heat up a little oil and shallow fry the patties over a medium heat (1-2 tbsp of oil per batch) for 2 minutes on each side. Avoid overcrowding the pan and work in batches if necessary. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Make sure you don't overblend the cauliflower mixture and turn it into a paste. I blended the cauliflower with the garlic and cilantro to ensure the flavour was evenly distributed. If you have a small blender it's best to make the cauliflower rice in batches.
- The cauliflower mixture is blended twice to allow all the ingredients to bind together and form a thick paste that's easy to work with. Make sure the mixture is still grainy, not completely mushy.
- You can swap the cilantro for parsley or chives. Also, you could add 1 teaspoon of paprika (sweet or smoked), curry powder or ½ teaspoon of turmeric (for colour) into the mixture.
- I recommend using a non-stick pan to shallow-fry these cauliflower patties.
- To save time you can prepare the cauliflower rice ahead. Keep it covered in the fridge overnight and make the patties the next day.
- Best served immediately. Enjoy with a yogurt-based dip, guacamole or coleslaw.Â
- Not suitable for freezing.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
**A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.
I was gonna make cauliflower patties with vegan cheese and I wondered if I had to have an egg? I've made them before but I love your recipe. I can't wait to get a food processor this is even healthier it sounds but no moisture and they still bind up good into patties? Today I'm definitely gonna add the turmeric in the garlic powder to mine gonna do the boiling and just to Biegen cheese and gluten-free breadcrumbs
Thanks for stoping by Boni! My recipe isn't vegan as it uses cheese though no egg, and I am not sure how it would work with vegan cheese. If in doubt use a bit more breadcrumbs. But I really can't be sure whether veganising these patties, as well as using gluten free breadcrumbs, will make them sticky enough to form into nice neat patties. Do let me know how they turned out:)
Oooh these look lovely, I never know what to make with cauliflower apart from adding it to a veggie curry or cauliflower cheese. I must have a go! x #CookOnceEatTwice
Thanks! I am the same, but I've been making an effort to use it more in my cooking as it's so healthy:)
These sound really lovely! I also find cauliflower difficult to cook with. I love it roasted but until recently I only used to like it raw which is why I like the sound of it in these patties. Thank you so much for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice!
Thanks Corina, I am glad I am not the only one who is not an expert at cooking cauliflower:)
Looks tasty ! Saw this on Saucy Saturday and came over , thanks for sharing !
Thank you! I am new to Saucy Saturdays, really love all the lovely and creative recipes there, I'll be sure to check out yours too:)
Can't wait to try these out. Absolutely delicious 🙂
Thanks!I hope you like them:)
These look delicious, and I love cauliflower so looking forward to giving them a try! Do you think it would work with GF bread crumbs?
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Thanks! I must admit I don't have much experience with GF bread but as long as it helps to bind the mixture it would be fine. Maybe process the mixture a little longer to ensure it's sufficiently sticky, or perhaps add more GF breadcrumbs. I'd love to know how it turns out:)
Who does not love fried food ..
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🙂