These carrot and parsnip fritters are deliciously sweet, soft and perfect for little hands. Great for babies and toddlers but also something the whole family will enjoy.
I first gave Rory parsnips when he had just started weaning and they are now one of his favourite foods. If I give him a selection of roasted vegetables he always picks out the parsnips to eat first. I’m presuming his love for them are due to their soft flesh and their subtle sweetness. Before Rory was born we only ever really ate parsnips in the winter, when they taste their best (their flavour and sweetness is increased by the cold.) Now we seem to have them, in some form, most weeks.
Last week I had an excess of parsnips to use up so I decided to grate them along with some carrots and made these carrot and parsnip fritters. I wanted to keep the veggie content high so I used as little batter as I could get away with. When you are making them you may initially think that they won’t hold, and that the vegetable to batter ratio is wrong. Stick with it though, you will be surprised. Once in the pan they hold together really well and are easy to flip. Fry them for as long as desired, I fried them over a medium heat for 5-6 mins on each side as I wanted a softer texture to make it easier for Rory to eat.
You May Also Like
Have you tried this recipe? I love receiving your feedback, please rate and leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @healthylittlefoodies
Looking for more healthy kid recipes?Sign up for my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more kind-friendly inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram.

Carrot and Parsnip Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 cup (125g) grated carrots
- 1 cup (125g) grated parsnip
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tbsp chopped coriander (cilantro)
- 2 tbsp Oil for frying
Instructions
- Mix the carrots and parsnips together and squeeze the juice out of them
- In a large mixing bowl mix the carrots and parsnips together with the egg, flour and cumin.
- Add the coriander and mix through.
- Spray a non stick frying pan and heat on medium
- Add small handfuls of the mixture to the pan and flatten.
- Heat for 3-6 mins on each side.
Recipe Notes
Olga says
A great recipe. Easy to make. My baby loved it
Amy says
Glad your little one enjoyed them, Olga 🙂
Bec says
Just made this recipe and it didn’t hold together at all. I had to add an extra egg and some breadcrumbs to bind it together and it only just forms a patty. Any tips?
Amy says
Hi Bec, sorry the recipe didn’t work well for you. I would just add a little more flour if this is the case. I made small fritters, in a non stick pan. The bigger they are the harder they would be to work with.
Frances says
Success! My 19 month old is going through a fussy eating stage so I thought I would try these to get some veg into her. I was very suspicious, but she loves them! Making another batch as we speak. Do have faith that these will hold – I didn’t believe but if you cook them slowly and turn carefully they do hold. Halfway through my first batch I added another egg (veg in omelette form has also been successful) but I think she preferred the less eggy ones. Thank you for the recipe!
Amy says
I’m so happy your little one enjoyed these, Frances. Thanks for taking the time to give feedback and rate 🙂
Angela says
This recipe looks yummy! Can these also be baked?
Amy says
Hi Angela, I haven’t tried baking them so can’t say for sure. I’d suggest trying baking them at 200C for around 25 mins.
Paulina says
Could I sub sweet potatoes for the parsnips? I couldn’t find them at our store and didn’t want to to searching every store.
Amy says
Hi Paulina, Yes sweet potatoes would work great! Enjoy 🙂
Kristen says
Hi there!
I’m so excited to make these for my son! I was wondering what your tips were on storing these.. Are they freezable?
Thanks!
Amy says
Hi Kristen, I’ve never stored these (they go pretty quick in our house.) I’m not sure how well they would store, to be honest, as I think they would lose their crispiness. They are probably enjoyed best freshly cooked. You could make the mixture in advance though.
Leandra says
These look great, really simple and could easily be adapted to use up leftover veg.
Thanks for sharing with us at #toddlerapprovedtuesday x
Amy says
Thanks 🙂
Katy says
Oh these look great! I was never too adventurous when weaning mine! Thanks for sharing in #KidsCorner x
Amy says
Thanks Katy 🙂
Everything Mummy says
these sound perfect for a snack and I love parsnips too good choice Rory 😉 How long would these last do you think could you batch cook some for the week do you think? thanks for sharing on #kidscorner
Amy says
The are best eaten straight away tbh. I personally don’t think they are as good the next day but Rory and Finn still seem to eat them! I’ve never tried freezing them yet.
Trista, Domesticated Momster says
These look like they would be a great side dish! My kiddos love carrots. Totally going to try these. Thanks so much for linking another great recipe with #foodpornthursdays
Amy says
Thanks for hosting 🙂
Lisa (Mummascribbles) says
What a fab idea! I think I may have to try these, they look yummy!! #kidscorner
Amy says
Thanks Lisa 🙂
Sophie - Mum, M & More says
What a fab idea. M used to love parsnip when she was weaning but doesn’t like them anymore. This would be great way to hide a load of veg though. Plus, that picture of Rory is ADORABLE!!!! #toddlerapprovedtuesday
Amy says
Thanks Sophie, I think so too (although I’m slightly bias!) Hopefully M will enjoy these but if she is still not keen on the parsnip they are great with just carrot or with some sweet potato.
Emma's Mamma says
They look really good! Just pinned the recipe 🙂 #ToddlerApprovedTuesday
Amy says
Thank you! 🙂
Amy says
Thanks Sara!
Sara Handy Herbs says
That photo is fantastic! Great recipe too – easy to make and nutritious. Love it has coriander too of course 🙂 Thanks for sharing #ToddlerApprovedTuesday
Dawn says
I’ve got an abundance of carrots at the moment, so might try something similar. They look great!
Amy says
Thanks Dawn, they are a great way for using up old veggies. Hope you enjoy 🙂
Bach says
I reckon this would work for us big kids too! So healthy!
Amy says
Thanks Bach, yes I did find myself eating a lot of them as I made them!
Sabrina (The Mummy Stylist) says
That photo is gorgeous! What a cutie 😀 I am so going to try this, it looks quite simple to make and I’ve always got carrots leftover. Thanks for the recipe. Sabrina xx #toddlerapprovedtuesday
Amy says
Thanks Sabrina, it is really simple to make and great for using up old veg. I hope you enjoy!