These cheesy vegetable fritters are a delicious and easy way to use up leftover vegetables. They’re perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or even a light meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, zucchini, bell peppers, etc.), finely chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch (optional, for extra crispiness)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 2 large eggs
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (if needed, to adjust consistency)
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and finely chop your chosen vegetables. You can use fresh or frozen vegetables (thawed and drained).
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch (if using), baking powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using).
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the chopped vegetables and shredded cheese to the dry ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Add Eggs and Milk: Pour the beaten eggs into the vegetable and flour mixture. Mix well. If the batter is too thick, add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach a thick, scoopable consistency.
- Heat the Oil: Heat about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat.
- Form and Fry the Fritters: Once the oil is hot, drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil. Flatten them slightly with the back of a spoon.
- Cook Until Golden: Fry the fritters for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the fritters from the pan and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve Hot: Serve the cheesy vegetable fritters hot, plain or with your favorite dipping sauce (such as ranch dressing, sour cream, or a sweet chili sauce).
Tips and Variations:
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the batter for a spicy kick.
- Herb it up: add finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or cilantro.
- Cheese variations: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as pepper jack, Parmesan, or feta.
- Oven Baked: For a healthier option, you can bake the fritters. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the formed fritters on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until golden brown.
- Make ahead: The batter can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few hours.
- Add Onion/Garlic: a small amount of finely diced onion or minced garlic added to the vegetable mixture adds a lot of flavor.