Name: Recipe "Broccoli Cheddar Fritters"
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 cup quinoa (cooked and cooled); 1 cup broccoli florets (steamed and chopped); 2 eggs (beaten); 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 0.5 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 3 green onions (sliced); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp black pepper; nonstick cooking spray or olive oil (for frying)

Got extra Cheddar Cheese on hand? Put it toward 7 Layer Dip, Roasted Broccoli Grilled Cheese, and Roasted Broccoli.

How These Broccoli Cheddar Fritters Came to Be

These broccoli cheddar fritters started as a substitution when I ran out of cauliflower for my go-to quinoa fritter recipe. One of those happy kitchen accidents that turned into a new favorite. The combination of tender broccoli, nutty quinoa, and sharp cheddar cheese is simple but so satisfying. My kids gave them two thumbs up, which is always a win.

Why You’ll Love These Broccoli Cheddar Fritters

They make a healthy quinoa snack with protein from quinoa and eggs and plenty of veggies.
The broccoli and cheddar flavor is a classic pairing that even picky eaters enjoy.
You can cook them three ways: bake, fry, or air-fry, so they fit any kitchen setup.

Key Ingredients for Broccoli Cheddar Fritters

Quinoa: Cooked and cooled. Rinse before cooking to remove bitterness. Any color quinoa works.
Broccoli: Fresh florets, finely chopped. You can use frozen, but thaw and squeeze dry.
Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar gives the most flavor. Shred it yourself for better melt.
Panko breadcrumbs: They add light crunch. Substitute with regular breadcrumbs if needed.

Kitchen Tools for Making Fritters

Large mixing bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
Skillet for frying, or baking sheet with wire rack, or air fryer
Nonstick cooking spray or olive oil
Paper towels for draining fried fritters

Tips for Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Fritters

Chilling the mixture for 15 minutes firms it up so the fritters hold together better. When forming, press firmly into 3-inch patties about 3/4 inch thick. For the crispiest results, use the air fryer or shallow fry, but baking on a wire rack also works well. If frying, maintain medium-high heat and don’t overcrowd the pan.

Expert Advice for Crispy Fritters

Make sure your quinoa is fully cooked and cooled before mixing. Warm quinoa can make the mixture too sticky. Drain broccoli well after steaming or blanching to avoid excess moisture. Sharp cheddar gives more flavor than mild. Panko breadcrumbs add extra crunch, but regular breadcrumbs work too.

Broccoli Cheddar Fritter Variations

Swap the broccoli for cauliflower to make cauliflower cheddar fritters instead. Add crumbled cooked bacon or diced ham for a meatier version. For a dairy-free version, use vegan cheddar shreds or omit cheese and add extra herbs. Spice things up with a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika.

What to Serve with Broccoli Cheddar Fritters

Serve these fritters warm with your favorite dip. I like marinara for a classic pairing, but ranch or avocado ranch is great for a creamy contrast. Plain Greek yogurt works if you want something lighter. They also make a fun addition to a bowl of tomato basil soup for dunking.

How to Store Leftover Broccoli Cheddar Fritters

Store leftover fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place parchment between layers to keep them from sticking. They lose some crispness, so reheating is recommended.

How to Freeze Broccoli Cheddar Fritters

To freeze, arrange uncooked fritters on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid, about 2 hours. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Cook from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the cooking time. Cooked fritters can also be frozen and reheated in a 400°F oven until hot and crispy.

Best Ways to Reheat Broccoli Cheddar Fritters

Reheat fritters in a 400°F oven or air fryer for 5-7 minutes until heated through and crispy. Avoid the microwave, which makes them soggy. If you must, use a toaster oven on a wire rack.

Broccoli Cheddar Fritters FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli?

Yes, just thaw and drain it very well, then chop finely. Excess moisture can make the fritters fall apart.

Why are my fritters falling apart?

The mixture needs to be firm enough to hold together. If it’s too wet, add more breadcrumbs. Press the fritters firmly when shaping. Also, ensure the quinoa and broccoli are not overly moist.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs or crushed rice cereal in place of regular panko. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free.

What’s the best dip for these fritters?

Marinara sauce, ranch dressing, avocado ranch, or plain Greek yogurt all work well. They’re also great dunked in tomato basil soup.

Recipe

Broccoli Cheddar Fritters

Easy fritters made with quinoa, broccoli, and cheddar cheese. This easy and healthy fritter recipe can be served as a snack or appetizer.

easyVegetarian

20 min

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

40 min

Total Time

Servings

Appetizer

Course

American

Cuisine

119 kcal

Calories

Ingredients

Servings

2 cup quinoa, cooked and cooled
1 cup broccoli florets, steamed and chopped
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
0.5 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

3 green onions, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper
nonstick cooking spray or olive oil, for frying

Instructions

1
In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, broccoli, and beaten eggs. Add the breadcrumbs, cheddar cheese, green onions, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir until the mixture is well combined and moistened.
2
Place the mixture in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. This will make it easier to form the fritters.
3
Form the mixture into fritters, pressing and flattening with your hands. The fritters should be about 3-inches wide and 3/4-inches thick.
4
You can bake, fry, or air-fry the fritters.

5
For Baking: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place a wire rack on a large baking sheet and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Place the fritters on the greased rack. Spray the tops of the fritters with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until fritters are golden brown and slightly crispy.
6
For Frying: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Fry the fritters for 5 minutes and then flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the fritters are crispy. If you need to add additional olive oil while you are frying, you can. Place the fritters on a large plate that has been lined with paper towels and cover with aluminum foil while you finish cooking all of the fritters.
7
For Air-Frying: Spray the fritters with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer fritters to the air fryer, placing them in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Cook at 400 degrees F until golden brown and cooked through, about 7 to 10 minutes. You might have to cook in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
8
Serve the broccoli cheddar quinoa fritters with marinara sauce, ranch, avocado ranch, plain Greek yogurt for dipping. You can also dip the fritters in tomato basil soup.

Nutrition (per serving)

119kcal

Calorie breakdown

Protein19%23 kcal

Fat39%47 kcal

Carbohydrates42%51 kcal

How this was calculated — 9 of 10 ingredients matched

quinoaQuinoa, cooked576 kcal

broccoli floretsBroccoli, raw77 kcal

eggsEgg, whole, raw, fresh3 kcal

shredded sharp cheddar cheeseCheese, cheddar, sharp, sliced492 kcal

green onionsOnions, young green, tops only1 kcal

garlicGarlic, raw22 kcal

kosher saltSalt, table0 kcal

black pepperSpices, pepper, black13 kcal

nonstick cooking spray or olive oilOil, oat9 kcal

Serving size ≈ 87 g · 10 servings

Nutrition information is automatically calculated from USDA FoodData Central, so should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, and preparation methods used.

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Keyword: appetizer, broccoli, cheddar, fried, fritters, nutFree, quinoa, snack, vegetarian

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