Description
Enjoy cheesy, golden spinach and cheese stuffed cauliflower patties that are nutritious, low-carb, gluten-free, and perfect for any meal or snack. These crispy patties combine tender steamed cauliflower, fresh sautéed spinach, and a gooey cheese filling, delivering a flavorful and healthy way to boost your vegetable intake.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 medium cauliflower head, steamed and finely chopped or grated
- 2 cups fresh spinach, wilted and chopped
Cheese Filling
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese or ricotta (optional, for extra creaminess)
Binders and Seasoning
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free option)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying) or additional for brushing if baking
Instructions
- Prepare the Cauliflower: Steam the cauliflower until tender but not mushy. Drain thoroughly and squeeze out any excess moisture using a clean towel to prevent soggy patties and achieve the right texture.
- Sauté the Spinach: In a pan over medium heat, wilt the fresh spinach until just soft. Allow it to cool slightly, then chop finely to mix evenly into the patty mixture.
- Make the Cheese Filling: Combine shredded cheese with cream cheese or ricotta if using, to create a creamy, melty center for the patties.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix steamed cauliflower, sautéed spinach, eggs, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until fully incorporated.
- Assemble the Patties: Take a small handful of the cauliflower mixture, flatten it in your palm, place a spoonful of cheese filling in the center, cover with another small portion of mixture, and shape into a round patty, sealing the cheese inside.
- Cook to Perfection: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook each patty for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Alternatively, bake patties at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Notes
- Dry cauliflower thoroughly to avoid soggy patties.
- Use fresh spinach for best flavor and texture over frozen.
- Eggs and breadcrumbs are essential binders to keep patties intact.
- Adjust cheese amount to your preference for cheesiness inside the patties.
- Cook over medium heat to ensure patties cook through without burning.
- For vegan version, substitute cheese with vegan cheese and eggs with flax or chia seed mixture.
- Freeze uncooked patties on a tray before transferring to freezer bags for meal prep convenience.
- Reheat in a hot pan to restore crispiness; avoid microwaving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying or Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 patties
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: spinach cauliflower patties, cheese stuffed patties, low carb snacks, gluten-free appetizers, vegetarian patties, healthy snacks, cheesy cauliflower recipes