Description
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, these Golden Cauliflower Bites are a flavorful and satisfying snack or side dish. Lightly seasoned with lemon zest, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, these bites are pan-fried to golden perfection, making them an excellent alternative to traditional fried appetizers. Serve them with a side of creamy tzatziki sauce for a refreshing contrast.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cauliflower Bites:
- 1 small cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets (approximately 350g or 12.3 oz)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Small bunch fresh parsley, chopped
- Small bunch chives, chopped
- ½ cup (60g) plain (all-purpose) flour
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese (use vegetarian cheese if needed)
- 1 medium egg, beaten
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
For Serving:
- Tzatziki sauce
- A few sprigs of fresh dill
Instructions
-
Prepare the Cauliflower:
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
- Add the cauliflower florets and blanch for about 5 minutes until just tender but still firm.
- Drain well and allow to cool slightly.
-
Make the Fritter Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched cauliflower, salt, pepper, lemon zest, chopped parsley, chives, flour, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Mix well to ensure the seasonings and cheese are evenly distributed.
- Add the beaten egg and stir until everything is well coated.
- If the mixture feels too loose, add a little more flour to help bind it.
-
Cook the Cauliflower Bites:
- Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, scoop small portions of the cauliflower mixture into the pan.
- Flatten slightly to form small fritters.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
-
Serve and Garnish:
- While the bites are cooking, prepare the tzatziki sauce (if not already made).
- Garnish with fresh dill and serve warm with tzatziki on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- Customize the cheese: Try cheddar, pecorino, or feta for different flavors.
- For extra crispiness: Bake the bites in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes after pan-frying.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean