Everyone will love these Cauliflower Cheese Chicken Fritters. Not only do they make great party finger food they they are perfect for a mid-week family meal. Light, crispy, and packed with cauliflower, these are always demolished.
This is a recipe I shared back in 2014, when I knew very little about taking photos, even less about writing blog posts and zero about SEO and site optimisation.
Fast forward 3 years and my blog has changed a little 😉 my photos are infinitely better, I waffle on about recipes for at least 300 words now and I know something about SEO (but not much!!!)
When I posted first posted these Cauliflower Cheese Chicken Fritters this is what I wrote:
"These are a great way to hide cauliflower for kids! My boys are not cauliflower fans, but hidden in these cheesy fritters they demolish a portion easily.
This mixture is also great turned into meatballs and served with marinara sauce over pasta."
That is it!!!!!!
No mention of what they were called, no hints about cooking them, no funny story, nothing. Just 3 lines and a recipe.
Oh and a pretty awful picture of them! (there is a screen shot at the end of this post 😉 just so you can see how bad it was!!!)
So today I am re-writing this, adding some new updated pictures and pulling it to the top of my blog. As I said back then, these are great for kids as the cauliflower is hidden away, it binds everything together but doesn't scream 'I'm here'.
My boys cannot stand cauliflower but they will happily eat these fritters. The cheese and the chicken mince bulk them out, make them taste delicious and turn a boring vegetable into a scrummy dinner.
After I had taken photos of these Cauliflower Cheese Chicken Fritters I gave away a batch to a darling friend.
Her girls loved them, so she made them again herself using some turkey mince (ground turkey). They were a big hit, so feel free to substitute in turkey mince.
How to Cook Chicken Fritters
I have given two methods for cooking these chicken fritters.
My preferred method is to start them off in a frying pan and then transfer them to the oven. This way you get a nice crisp outside and the inside is juicy and delicious.
You can spray the raw fritters with spray oil and then bake them from start to finished. This doesn't give such crispy results but it does cut down the fat. (I don't like using spray oil as I always seem to spray it over the back of the cooker!!!)
(The nutritional values below are for 4 fritters and it doesn't take into account any oil used.)
Enjoy x
p.s if cheese and chicken is your jam, then check out these amazing Goat Cheese Rosemary Baked Chicken Meatballs from the lovely Madison over at A Joyfully Mad Kitchen.
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Cauliflower Cheese Chicken Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 small whole cauliflower
- 1 lb chicken mince
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated cheddar/Monterey Jack
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200ºC/390ºF.
- Bring a large pan of water to the boil (don't salt it)
- Cut the cauliflower into florets and cook until tender and soft.
- Drain and allow to cool slightly before chopping into small pieces.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the cooled chopped cauliflower.
- Mix well until combined and the cauliflower has broken down further.
- Use a ¼ cup measure (or 3 tbsp) and divide the mixture into fritters. You should get 16 fritters out of the mixture.
To cook on the hob and oven
- Place a large heavy based frying pan over a medium heat.
- Add a splash of oil and cook the fritters for a minute until golden, flip and cook on the other side.
- Remove the fritters to a lined baking sheet and cook the remaining mixture.
- Once they are all crisped baking for 15 minutes until cooked through.
Alternatively you can cook them completely in the oven.
- Pre-heat the oven as above.
- Place the raw fritters on a lined baking sheet.
- Spray with oil and bake for 20-25 minutes turning once.
To cook completely on the hob
- Place a large heavy based frying pan over a medium heat.Add a splash of oil and cook the fritters for 4 minute until golden, then flip and cook on the other side for a further ¾ minutes.
Nutrition
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Just incase you want to see the terrible way I first posted these Cauliflower Cheese Chicken Fritters ......
Josie says
Can you offer an alternative to the pinko crumbs? Not allowed on Keto too many carbs.... do you think Almond meal could work? As I know fritters need a ‘binding’’
Thanks these looks great
Claire McEwen says
I haven't tried almond meal, but I think it would work, but I think you would need to add less.
Try starting with a 1/4 cup and see if the mixture binds together okay. And if not, add it slowly until the mixture holds together.
I hope that helps
Cx
Megan says
These were great! I cooked them in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 7 minutes, then flipped for 2 more and they were perfect. Thanks!
Claire McEwen says
Oh I love knowing they work in the air fryer!!!
Thanks you for taking the time to comment.
Cx
bananasoup says
This was delicious! These notes are mostly for me as I bookmark this...I needed to add more egg and bread crumbs since I had more cauliflower. Probably didn't add as much salt, and would have added minced onion next time too. Could be modified with different spices and adding other veggies like carrot and zucchini. We seared some before popping them in the freezer for a quick weeknight meal!
Claire McEwen says
Love you notes for next time 🙂
Zucchini would be great in there!
Cx
Mary says
The recipe looks really yummy and by reading all the comments they taste as good as they look. I would like to try them but I do have to be very aware of sodium content is there a way that I can cut done sodium without sacrificing the yummy ness
Claire McEwen says
Hi Mary,
I had a quick second analysis of the ingredients as the sodium content seemed so high!!! I have adjusted the recipe card slightly as it wasn't quite right. But it is still on the higher side.
The culprit is the shredded/grated parmesan cheese which has a whopping 764mg in a half cup!
You could swap this out for a different cheese and reduce the salt. I would suggest something strong still.
A gruyere would be a great choice and that only has 181mg per half cup. (So that is quite a reduction over the whole recipe.)
I hope that helps 😀
Caitlin says
Would I be able to use cauliflower rice for this recipe? I have a tonne in the freezer and need to use it up?
Claire McEwen says
Caitlin, I can't see why it wouldn't work with cauliflower rice, as once the cauliflower is cooked you chop it into small pieces. So the rice would just save you a job 😀
I would suggest cooking it briefly so it is soft but not falling apart further.
Hope it works well for you Cx
Lara says
Made these tonight but substituted ground turkey for chicken....so delicious! I also omitted the parsley (because I'm not a fan) and used Italian breadcrumbs instead of panko cause that's what I had in my pantry! My 1 year old gobbled them up, and hubby and I loved them too! However, my very picky 4 year old "tasted" them but still needs some convincing...good thing there are plenty of leftovers in the freezer! 😉
Claire McEwen says
Oh I am so happy you and the family enjoyed them 😀
Yes that picky stage is hard work isn't it. One day they love something the next they hate it...
And yeah for freezer snacks!!! They work so well from the freezer too 😀 😀
Judy says
Just made these yummy fritters and family loved them so will be keeping recipe nearby. Have made extras and going to freeze them for a quick midweek meal. Thankyou do much
Judy
Claire McEwen says
Oh I am so pleased you and the family enjoyed them Judy.
Thank you for coming back to comment 😀
Jayna says
Hi there, My husband saw these and so I immediately opened the recipe as they looked delicious. The nutrition facts say per serving but doesn't specify what a serving is. Is it for the whole recipe? Thanks!
Claire McEwen says
Hi Jayna,
Thank you 😀
The recipe makes 16 fritters, for a main meal I tend to serve 4 each for a main course, or as an appetizer just 2. So the recipe will easily serve 4 people for a main, 8 for an appetizer.
If you want to reduce the recipe, the servings box at the top of the recipe card is customisable. So you can change the servings number and it will scale the recipe for you. Some things don't scale well but it can be handy if you want to double/half a recipe etc.
I hope that helps and that you and your husband enjoy them.
Claire x
Monika says
I really want to make them today. How do they store? Can they be frozen? Thanks
Claire McEwen says
Hi Monika,
I have frozen the mixture before I make the patties and also frozen the uncooked patties. It defrosts well although the mixture is slightly softer after defrosting so I found the larger patties aren't quiet as good for finger food. They are better made into smaller parties or used as part of a dinner with a knife and fork.
The cooked patties, freeze extremely well and are great warmed in the oven.
Hope that helps
Claire x
Danielle says
Perfect combination! I used creamy buffalo dipping sauce and it was equally as delicious with a 'kick'. Thank you 🙂
Claire McEwen says
Oh yeah so happy you loved them 😀
The buffalo dipping sauce is an inspired idea!
Kristi says
Just made these. Delicious! I sub’d gluten free breadcrumbs and ommitted the egg due to allergies, still turned out perfect! Thank you thank you!
Claire McEwen says
Oh I am glad to hear that Kristi and super happy that they could be adapted to fit your dietary requirements 😀
Sophie James says
Nice Post...Thanks for sharing this yummy post with us..
Every one like to eat some yummy and healthy food...Share more yummy recipes with us.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Sophie 😀
James says
Nice recipe... thanks for sharing this yummy and healthy recipe. The kids loved it.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you James, so happy everyone enjoyed them 😀
Tania says
These tasted amazing the kids loved them
Only problem is I forgot to scroll down and didn't realise I had to cook them for a further 15mins in the oven
I just fried them on each side
Hope the chicken Cooked and we don't all get sick ?
Claire McEwen says
How long did you cook them for in the frying pan? If you don't bake them, they only need about 4 minutes on each side.
Also were they quite solid? If the ground chicken had been undercooked they could well have been too soft and fallen apart.
Hopefully there are no side affects x
p.s So happy the kids loved them 😀
Danielle says
I do not eat gluten so what can I used instead f panko
Claire McEwen says
Hi Danielle,
My Dad doesn't eat gluten either so when I need panko for him I either buy gluten free breadcrumbs from the supermarket or I will use the food processor to crumb a few slices of gluten free bread, then I pop them in a hot oven for about 3 minutes so they get crispy.
I haven't tried it in these fritters but I am sure they would both work here.
I hope that helps.
Jennifer Banz says
These look like something my kids would eat and I can be sneaky and give them a nice dose of veggies! I'm making these tonight!
Claire McEwen says
I hope your kids enjoy them.
Always good to get veg hidden isn't it?
Jessica says
We make fritters a lot, but this is a new flavor combo for us! It is positively fantastic!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Jessica, so happy your family enjoy it 😀
Christina Shoemaker says
Holy Moly, Claire! YESSSSSSSS these look to die for! That cheese! Plus you snuck in cauliflower. I'm all over this. Brilliant!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Christina, they are the ultimate hidden veg treat 😉
Swati says
Great recipe using chicken and cauliflower, your photos look great
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Swati 😀
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours says
Cauliflower fritters sound so tasty, with the cheesey flavours they must be utterly delicious. Perfect for an easy to make mid-week meal.
Claire McEwen says
Cheese and cauliflower are just so great together aren't they 😀
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
These would definitely be popular in my house. We love chicken and we love cauliflower cheese - never thought to combine the two!
Claire McEwen says
Your family are going to love these then Bintu!!!
Brian Jones says
Cauli is my favourite winter vegetable and I use it in a whole host of ways, these sound like delicious treats, would it be wrong to make them as a movie night munchie 😀
Claire McEwen says
I think that would be the perfect movie snack!!! Maybe with a pot of chilli sauce on the side?
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Claire. I happen to love cauliflower and am always on the lookout for new ways to prepare it,so these sound wonderful! I quite often finish things in the oven after pan frying. Great recipe!
Claire McEwen says
That is because you are a cooking wizard!!! I love how we think alike x
I have to admit cauliflower isn't my favourite when it is just boiled as a vegetable, but I do love it smooshed into patties. I also love it roasted 😉
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Claire. I make c cauliflower casserole that has cream and grated Swiss cheese you might like.
Claire McEwen says
You know me well 😉
Did someone mention cheese?????