An Italian-American classic, crispy Fried Cauliflower Cakes dipped in homemade marinara sauce. This cheesy appetizer with a crunch is the exact type of salty dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
If you love a crispy appetizer, try Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters or Easy Italian Fried Green Tomatoes!
A Quick Look at The Recipe
- ✅Recipe Name: Crispy Fried Cauliflower Cakes
- ⏲️Ready in: 45 minutes
- 👪Makes: 15 Cauliflower Fritters
- 📋Main ingredients: Cauliflower, Breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and Olive oil.
- ⭐Why You'll Love This Recipe: These crispy cauliflower cakes are savory and salty and go perfectly with a homemade marinara sauce!
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Why This Recipe
Crispy and Flavorful: Fried cauliflower cakes are crispy, unlike other baked appetizers. They're similar to fried eggplant in Eggplant Parmigiana, making for a delightful texture perfect for dipping in sauce.
Easy to Make: Done in under 45 minutes, this delicious vegetable appetizer can be made in advance and is easily reheated by baking in the oven or in an air fryer.
Switch up the Vegetables: Vegetables can get boring if you serve the same things over and over again. Our kids are way more amenable to different-shaped vegetables, so this is a perfect way to serve something nutritious that they enjoy. Cauliflower is a great one to throw in pasta, too, and our kids love Pasta with Cauliflower.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Cauliflower. You can use fresh or frozen cauliflower for this recipe. Either way, you'll just cook it until it is soft enough to mash. You may need to pat dry frozen cauliflower after steaming to reduce some of the moisture.
- Olive Oil. Fry cauliflower cakes in extra virgin olive oil for that signature Italian flavor.
- Parmesan. Substitute pecorino romano or grana padano if needed.
- Garlic. I prefer to use fresh minced garlic for this recipe because they don't have to fry for very long. The fresh garlic won't get burnt, but you can also substitute garlic powder.
- Breadcrumbs. I use seasoned Italian breadcrumbs or homemade breadcrumbs. Either would be fine for this recipe, but the store-bought ones are perfectly fine!
*Please see the recipe card below for more information on the ingredients.
How to make Fried Cauliflower Cakes
Step 1: In a large pot, steam the cauliflower over medium-high heat until tender enough to mash with a spoon, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 2: Transfer the cauliflower to a bowl and mash. Let the cauliflower cool for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Add eggs, parmesan, salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, and breadcrumbs to the bowl. Combine well with your hands until you can make a bowl out of the mixture. If it is too wet to form a ball, add more breadcrumbs.
Step 4: Form the patties and set them aside on a plate. You should get about 15 patties.
Step 5: In a large saucepan over medium heat, add extra virgin olive oil. Once hot, carefully add the patties to the oil.
Step 6: Fry on each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and flip. Don't flip until the patties release themselves from the pan.
Step 7: Remove from the pan. Sprinkle with salt and serve with Homemade Marinara Sauce for dipping.
These can also be dipped in Traditional Caesar Dressing, Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing, or Creamy Lemon Sauce!
Pro-Tips
- Using frozen cauliflower? These contain more water than fresh cauliflower. You may need to pat them dry after steaming.
- Steamed cauliflower will absorb more and more liquid the longer it's steamed and depending on how small you cut the florets. More breadcrumbs can be added to help structure the patties.
- Don't try to flip the patties when frying until they release from the pan. If they still feel stuck, let them finish frying before you attempt to flip.
- Sprinkle with salt to finish to bring out the most flavor in all fried foods, whether it be Italian Chicken Cutlets or Fried Flounder Oreganata. Kosher salt will always let the flavor shine through.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, steamed broccoli or shredded zucchini would be great alternatives to the cauliflower.
Yes, baking in an oven at 425 degrees F for 20 minutes or air frying at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes would work.
Slowly add more breadcrumbs to the mixture until you can form structured patties.
More Delicious Italian Appetizers
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📖 Recipe
Fried Cauliflower Cakes
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- 1 steaming basket
- 1 large saucepan
- 1 large bowl
Ingredients
- 2 heads cauliflower
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- In a large pot, steam the cauliflower over medium-high heat until tender enough to mash with a spoon, about 15-20 minutes. Transfer the cauliflower to a bowl and mash. Let the cauliflower cool for 10 minutes.
- Add eggs, parmesan, salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, and breadcrumbs to the bowl. Combine well with your hands until you can make a bowl out of the mixture. If it is too wet to form a ball, add more breadcrumbs.
- Create the patties and set them aside on a plate. It should form about 15 patties.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, add extra virgin olive oil. Once hot, carefully add the patties to the oil. Fry on each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and flip.
- Remove from the pan. Sprinkle with salt and serve with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Using frozen cauliflower? These contain more water than fresh cauliflower. You may need to pat them dry after steaming.
- Steamed cauliflower will absorb more and more liquid the longer it's steamed and depending on how small you cut the florets. More breadcrumbs can be added to help structure the patties.
- Don't try to flip the patties when frying until they release from the pan. If they still feel stuck, let them finish frying before you attempt to flip.
- Sprinkle with salt to finish to bring out the most flavor in all fried foods, whether it be Italian Chicken Cutlets or Fried Flounder Oreganata. Kosher salt will always let the flavor shine through.
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