These cauliflower fritters are super simple to make, versatile, and packed with fiber and plant-based protein. Perfect for serving as bite-sized fritters, medium patties, or large cauliflower burgers. Plus, they’re gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free, low-fat, and can be pan-fried, baked, or air fried!
Gluten-free Vegan Cauliflower Fritters or Burgers
When it comes to vegetable fritters recipes, I’m obsessed! Along with hearty chickpea broccoli fritters, zucchini vegetable fritters, red lentil patties, and stuffed potato cakes, I adore these simple cauliflower fritters/ patties.
With a combination of chickpeas and cauliflower, these vegan fritters are packed with fiber and plant-based protein. The addition of flax seed also adds heart-healthy omega-fatty acids.
In fact, I love their versatility; change up the size from bite-sized fritters to large cauliflower patties, experiment with adding veggies and swapping out spices, etc., there’s plenty of space for experimentation with this cauliflower fritters recipe!
Even better, these fritters come together in minutes (boil the cauliflower, mash the ingredients, shape, and cook!), are meal prep friendly, and can be cooked in a skillet, the oven, or an air fryer. Once prepared, they are tender in the middle with a wonderfully crispy shell and can be enjoyed as a snack, side dish, or main!
Best of all, these vegan fritters are child-friendly and perfect for encouraging the entire family to eat more veggies. You might also enjoy these air fryer zucchini chips, eggplant pizza bites, buffalo cauliflower wings, or yuca fries!
The Ingredients
This cauliflower fritters recipe contains just 9 pantry-friendly ingredients, plus salt and pepper.
Wet Ingredients
- Cauliflower: I recommend using organic cauliflower when possible.
- Chickpeas: I used canned chickpeas, but white beans would also work. Use reduced-sodium beans if preferred, or even cook your own.
- Garlic: I prefer fresh garlic (adjust the amount to taste). Use garlic powder in a pinch.
- Parsley: Instead of fresh parsley, use other fresh herbs like scallions, chives, or cilantro.
- Oil: Use any neutral oil for pan-frying the cauliflower patties. I like to use coconut oil, but avocado oil or a light olive oil also works well.
Dry Ingredients
- Chickpea flour: Also called gram flour. This is naturally gluten-free and packed with plant-based protein. Oat flour should also work, or even regular all-purpose flour (if you eat gluten).
- Ground flax seeds: Will help to bind the vegan cauliflower fritters. Ground chia seeds will also work.
- Spices: I used a simple combination of onion powder, cumin, and salt & black pepper.
Optional Additions
- Vegan cheese: Add dairy-free cheese to the cauliflower cakes for even tastier patties. Nutritional yeast would also work to boost the cheesy, umami flavor.
- Other spices: There are several options for building depth of flavor in these cauliflower patties. You could also substitute the seasonings for other ones (like curry powder).
- Smoked paprika
- Red pepper flakes OR cayenne pepper
- Turmeric
- Cinnamon (just a pinch)
You can experiment with combining all the above spices or just one or two to taste. The warming Middle Eastern spices really add something special to the cauliflower fritters.
- Vegetables: For heartier and more nutritionally dense cauliflower chickpea bites, you could mix in additional veggies, like
- Corn
- Peas
- Shredded kale or spinach
- Grated carrot
- Grated zucchini (excess liquid squeezed out)
- Bell pepper (finely chopped)
- Quinoa: A small amount of cooked quinoa will add extra protein and fiber and create heartier cauliflower burger patties.
For the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information, read the recipe card below.
How to Make Cauliflower Fritters?
Follow six simple steps to prepare this cauliflower patties recipe (check FAQs for alternative cooking methods).
- First, separate/chop the cauliflower into even-sized cauliflower florets and boil them in salted water until tender.
- Meanwhile, combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and set it aside.
- Pulse the wet ingredients (except the oil) in a food processor until well combined but still containing some texture (it shouldn’t be paste-like).
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix with your hands.
- Divide the batter into 8-10 patties, then fry them in a large skillet preheated with oil over medium heat.
Or make them smaller (like bite-sized pieces) or larger to your preference.
- Fry for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown.
How to Store?
Make ahead: You can form the fritters and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day, OR freeze them for 3 months.
Store: These cauliflower fritters are the crispiest straight from the pan/oven/air fryer. However, you can store any leftovers (fully cooled) in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Freeze: Allow them to cool and then flash freeze on a tray (not touching). Once solid, transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat: For the crispiest results, reheat the cauliflower cakes in a skillet with a small amount of oil/cooking spray. You can also reheat them in an oven/ air fryer. A microwave is fine, but won’t be crispy at all.
Serving Recommendations
Depending on the size you make them, you can enjoy these chickpea and cauliflower cakes as an appetizer, snack, or main. Here are a few pairings I enjoy.
- With a dipping sauce: I love to serve them with creamy sauces like vegan sour cream, tzatziki, Ranch, tahini dressing, lime yogurt sauce, etc. However, ketchup would also work.
- In a burger: I love making cauliflower burgers topped with all your favorite toppings. I.e., lettuce, tomato, avocado, pickles, red onions, vegan cheese, etc.
- In salad bowls: Enjoy these cauliflower patties with all sorts of salad bowls, buddha bowls, and platters.
- As a pita sandwich: You can enjoy bite-sized fritters in place of falafels in a pita with salad veggies and a creamy garlic sauce.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cauliflower?
Fresh or frozen cauliflower will work, as we’re boiling the florets before using them. If the frozen cauliflower is wetter, add a little more flour to the patty mixture. You could also use cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen, cooked).
Can I make cauliflower fritters without a food processor?
Technically, you could use a potato masher or similar tool to break down the cauliflower and chickpeas. However, make sure to mince the garlic well. They will be ‘chunkier’ in texture, but should still work fine.
Can you bake the patties?
You could try baking the cauliflower burgers/ fritters at 360 °F/180 °C for around 30 minutes, flipping halfway. They should be golden brown when ready, but won’t be as crispy. For extra crispiness, broil them at the end of the baking time.
Can I air fry the cauliflower patties?
I haven’t tried with this recipe, though I’ve had success with other vegetable fritters recipes. I recommend spraying your basket with a little cooking spray and spreading the nuggets/fritters/patties in a single layer, with space between each one. Air fry them at 380 °F/190 °C for about 18 minutes.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- For even-sized fritters: Weigh the cauliflower chickpea mixture and divide it by weight.
- For stuffed patties: I like to make cheese-stuffed cauliflower patties by shaping and flattening half of a patty, adding the vegan cheese to the middle, then topping it with the remaining half of the patty and using my hands to seal the edges.
- Don’t over-process the mixture: The cauliflower should have a ‘riced’ consistency, with the chickpeas still holding some shape. Avoid processing it into a paste.
- If the mixture is too dry or wet: If it’s too dry, add a little of the chickpea liquid (from the can) to help bind the cauliflower fritters. If it’s too wet, add a little more flour.
More Vegan Cauliflower Recipes
- Creamy roasted cauliflower soup
- Curried cauliflower casserole
- Air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings
- Roasted cauliflower steaks
- Kung pao cauliflower
- Vegan alfredo sauce
If you try this vegan cauliflower fritters recipe, I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan and #elavegan—I love seeing them.
Cauliflower Patties Recipe
Ingredients
Wet ingredients
- 1/2 small (250 g) cauliflower head cut into small florets
- 1 (15 oz) can (280 g) chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
- 2 tbsp parsley finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- coconut oil for frying
Dry ingredients
- 1/2 heaped cup (60 g) chickpea flour (see notes)
- 1 1/2 tbsp ground flax seeds
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin ground
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the cauliflower florets in salted water until tender (about 10-15 minutes), then discard the water.
- Meanwhile, combine all dry ingredients in a bowl, and set aside.
- Pulse all the wet ingredients (except the oil) in a food processor until combined (don't over-process, though. There should still be texture, not a paste).
- Add the wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients and combine with your hands.
- Form 8-10 patties and fry them with a little oil in a large skillet on both sides (about 5 minutes each) until golden brown.
- Serve with vegan sour cream, tzatziki, Ranch dressing, or tahini dressing,
Notes
- Flour: Oat flour should also work, or even regular all-purpose flour (if you eat gluten).
- If the mixture is too dry or wet: If it's too dry, add a little of the chickpea liquid (from the can) to help bind the cauliflower fritters. If it's too wet, add a little more flour.
- You can optionally add a little grated vegan cheese and some chopped veggies to the batter to make the patties even tastier.
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
Justyna
I can’t eat flax seeds. Can I replace them with something else?
Ela
Ground chia seeds are a great alternative. 🙂
Justyna
Thank you! 🙂
Daliborka
hvad kan man bruge i stedet for kikærter? Tåler dem ikke
Ela
You can try oat flour or buckwheat flour but it might not taste as good.
Natasha
Can these be frozen?
Ela
I am pretty sure that would be fine. 🙂
RH
Any tips on time and oven temp for baking option?
Ela
I would suggest 180 degrees C. Bake for about 15 minutes per side (or until golden brown).
Ann
Delicious! Even my omni hubby loved them. I served them with mango chutney
Ela
So glad you liked my recipe, Ann. Thanks for your feedback. 🙂
Lisa
Hello! Do you think these would be good reheated the next day?
Ela
Never tried it but yes, I think they would taste good reheated the next day. 🙂
Diane
These patties are to die for and a perfect accompaniment to any buddha bowl concoction. I had these with quinoa, tomatoes, artichoke, kale and a lemon hummus dressing. I think my omni family will happily eat these too. Love love love! Thank you!!
Ela
So happy you liked my recipe, Diane. Thanks so much for your wonderful feedback. 🙂
Brenda
Recipe calls for oil for frying but directions say to bake. Are they fried or baked? Or both?!
Ela
Hi Brenda, frying is correct! I will correct the instructions asap. Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Lene Andersen
Love these! Made a few changes as I didn’t have the exact ingredients. Used quinoa flour instead of chickpea flour. Used celery leaves instead of parsley. Used olive oil. Used dried onion flakes instead of powder. No salt added. Australian tins are mostly 400grams so probably should have added some extra wet ingredients, but still very nice, thank you!
Ela
Thanks for your feedback, Lene. I am glad you love these cauliflower patties 🙂
Rachel
Do you think these would turn out well baked? These sound delish but I don’t care for fried foods.
Ela
Yes, I think they will be a little bit more dry but still tasty 🙂
Tamra
I’ve got to make these this weekend because they look and sound so good! I’m still a “work in progress” vegan and struggle with meal planning because my husband isn’t keen on it. Thank you, as always, for your delicious recipes. I look forward to reading and making them!
Ela
Thank you Tamra! So glad my recipes are helpful. 🙂
Marsha
Where do I find chickpea flour?
Ela
Check the Indian section of your grocery store! It’s also called Garbanzo bean flour.
Dee | Green Smoothie Gourmet
These are making me so hungry Ela. There are so many options – lunch, dinner, snack! Thank you for providing so many filling versatile recipes! Happy Thursday! Dee xx
Ela
Thank you, Dee! I hope you will give them a try. Happy Friday 🙂
michelle
DIe waren echt super lecker, danke!!!
Ich hab charlotten statt onion powder benutzt, hat gut geklappt!
Ela
Freut mich sehr liebe Michelle 🙂 PS: Hast du gesehen, dass ich auch auf Deutsch blogge? 😉
Mary
These are amazing. They were so easy to make. My family loved them as well. I’m so excited to try your other recipes. Everything is so beautiful.. Thank you.
Ela
So glad to hear that, Mary! Thanks for your great feedback 🙂
The Vegan 8
These look great Ela! I am not a huge fan of cauliflower unless it’s masked well and these look perfect. I LOVE chickpeas and use them so much it should be illegal, haha! Love how easy they seem too!
Ela
Thank you, Brandi! Haha, illegal, so funny. I go crazy about chickpeas as well, I probably eat them 6 times a week. 😀
Sarah/Sculpted Pilates
I loved this recipe! It was liked by my husband too. It’s so full of flavour and nutrition. I added some nutritional yeast for a cheesier taste. I also didn’t have chickpea flour so I substituted it with regular apf and some panko bread crumbs for a crispier texture! Thank for this lovely recipe, Ela!
Ela
Thanks for your sweet comment, Sarah! I am happy they turned out great, even with a different flour. The addition of nutritional yeast flakes is such a great idea 🙂
Nina
Made these little ones. Very easy and quick receipe!
Personal tip: don’t make them too big, and bake them long enough so they are nice and crunchy & you’ll love them!
Ela
Really happy they turned out great. Thank you, Nina!
Shannon
How long did you bake at what temp? I would like to do the same as well to keep them oil free.
Ela
I would suggest 180 degrees C. Bake for about 15 minutes per side (or until golden brown).
Anne
Wonderful recipe. Made it twice so far and my kids loved it. They normally hate to eat cauliflower, but when I “hide” it in these patties they really enjoy it. Thank you!
Ela
Yay, that’s incredible! Makes me so happy that your kids love these patties as well. Thanks for your great feedback, Anne 🙂
Sveta
This is AMAZING! The recipe itself is so easy to make, and all the ingredients are very easy to find in Russia. I’ve always struggled with vegan recipes, because some ingredients are super expensive or you simply have to order online from other countries.
But back to this patties. They are so soft, the texture is perfect. I’v never tried better vegan patties ever. Thank you for this recipe.
Ela
Thank you so much for this amazing feedback, Sveta! I am really happy you liked my cauliflower patties. 🙂
Lauri
These are not plant based if you use oil
Ela
Of course, they are! We are using VEGETABLE oils which ARE plant-based.