Broccoli Fritters

Getting kids to eat their greens isn't always easy but these Broccoli Fritters are a great way to do just that. Each fritter is packed full of broccoli and they are perfect for lunch, a snack or part of a main meal. 

Exposure is a key component to getting our kids to accept and eat different vegetables but sometimes steaming, boiling or roasting just doesn't cut it. We often need to try a little harder.

To increase the chance of acceptance we can add a dip, a sauce, make nuggets, muffins or mix them with a batter in irresistible vegetable fritters! The vegetables are still in plain sight but they are just made more appealing to children.

Although it may not be considered as healthy, it is still exposure and if our children can enjoy broccoli this way, they are much more likely to be accepting of it cooked a different way. So go ahead and fry up some of these crazy yummy fritters and watch your family devour a head of broccoli in minutes! 

Process Shots and Cooking Tips

1. Prepare the Broccoli - Separate the florets from the stems and cut the florets into small chunks. Don't throw away the stems (they are nutritious too), peel the thicker part and then dice into 1cm  / ⅓ inch pieces. 

2. Steam - Steam the broccoli for 4-5 mins, until it is tender but not mushy. I pop the stocks on the bottom of the steamer and the florets on the top. Drain and allow to cool slightly. 

3. Chop - Chop the steamed broccoli up into small pieces. 

4. Whisk the egg in a large mixing bowl and then add the flour, cheese, mustard and broccoli.

5. Stir until combined - At the start, it will seem very dry but it does eventually come together. See above picture for what it should look like. If you believe that it is too try you can always add 1 - 2 tablespoon of milk. 

6. Fry - Heat ½ tablespoon of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Scoop a ¼ cup of the mixture, form into a pattie shape around 1cm (⅓ inch) thick and fry each side for 2-3 minutes on each side. 

Food Allergies 

I am aware that many of my readers have children with food allergies and I am often asked for substitutes. I hate making recommendations when I haven't tried them myself so I have been whipping up many variations of these fritters so I can make some allergy-friendly suggestions. 

Gluten Free - I replaced the all-purpose flour with chickpea flour on a 1:1 ratio and it worked well. 

Egg Free - I tried replacing the egg with a chia egg (1 tablespoon of chia seeds mixed with three tablespoon of warm water to form a paste). It worked well but I needed to add 2 tablespoon of milk (you could also use water if dairy free) to the batter as I found it too dry. 

Dairy Free - I replaced the cheese with 2 tablespoon of nutritional yeast, ¼ teaspoon of onion powder and ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder. The cheese really does add good flavour to the fritters and personally, I don't think they tasted so good without the cheese but both my boys were more than happy to eat them using the nutritional yeast. If I was to try it again I would maybe up the mustard and add some freshly chopped parsley. 

Broccoli Fritters for Babies

Fritters are great for beginners! Their texture is perfect for nibbling on yet they are firm enough not to be crushed by those tiny but strong grips!

Broccoli is a highly nutritious vegetable that supplies your baby with key vitamins and minerals but be aware that it can cause gas. Don't feed your baby large amounts of these fritters because too much of this cruciferous vegetable may cause problems for your little one!

Remember, always consult with your paediatrician regarding introducing solid foods to your baby and discuss any foods that may pose allergy risks for your baby.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerate - Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for 2-3 days. 
• Freeze - Freeze on a baking tray until frozen, once frozen transfer to a freezable container/ziplock bag and freeze for up to 3 months. 

To reheat, thaw then gently heat them through in a dry frying pan.

Other fritter recipes

• Pea Fritters
• Banana & Blueberry Fritters
• Sweetcorn & Quinoa Fritters
• Zucchini Fritters
• Carrot and Parsnip Fritters

Have you tried this recipe? I love reading your feedback. Please rate and leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @healthylittlefoodies