We’re loving these crispy quinoa fritters! This quinoa fritters recipe is a great vegetarian patty that can be served in different ways. Enjoy them throughout the year as a snack, appetizer or main entree. It’s been a reader favorite since 2013.

crispy quinoa fritters recipe on platter

Quinoa Fritters Recipe 

Made with cooked quinoa, these fritters have a great texture and flavor. Each bite is like biting into a veggie patty. Everything about these fritters are wholesome and satisfying. Often times quinoa is always served in a salad or as a bed of grains in bowls or salads. But we thought about making them into a fritter to have a different way of enjoying quinoa. And the results were fantastic!

quinoa recipe holding in half

How to Serve Quinoa Fritters

The best part about making these vegetarian quinoa fritters is that there’s so many different ways to serve them. We’re enjoying them in different ways and it never gets old when you’re craving something vegetarian to serve:

  • crispy quinoa fritters are great as a snack, appetizer, lunch or dinner item.
  • As an appetizer, you can make small patties and serve them on a platter with different dips. They’re crispy and fantastic.
  • Make ahead quinoa fritters are great as a snack or afternoon lunch item.
  • These fritters are great as burger patties, as sliders or in a sandwich. Seriously, they are great as a vegetarian patty and way better tasting than the over-processed meatless patties.
  • Chop these fritters into small pieces and add them as a salad topper.
  • Make healthy quinoa fritter lettuce wraps.
  • Add homemade tomato chutney on top of the fritters. WOW these are delicious and a reader favorite. Here’s our quinoa patties with tomato chutney recipe Crispy Quinoa Fritters with Green Tomato Chutney on WhiteOnRiceCouple.com

Video: Quinoa Fritters Recipe

dipping quinoa fritter in ranch
quinoa recipe holding in half

Crispy Quinoa Fritters

Yield: 6 Servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
The hardest part of making the quinoa fritters is getting them into a patty. They have a tendency to stick to the hands, so try to wash your hands often, cleaning them of the loose quinoa and flour. Try to make the quinoa patties firm, so that they don't break apart. As soon as you get them into a patty, carefully fry them in the hot oil. I fried them a little bit longer to get a crispy outside and they were still delicious on the inside.
Ideally the quinoa fritter should take one long day or over two days. The quinoa needs to be pre-cooked, then allowed to cool completely. I usually cook the quinoa the night before and refrigerate it, giving it a firmer texture.
5 from 5 votes
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup (170 g) raw quinoa
  • 1/2 medium onion , finely minced (@ 1 cup) (the smaller the mince is, the easier it will be to mold the patties)
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) grated parmesan cheese
  • 3/4 cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) minced parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Kosher salt , or to taste (I liberally seasoned the quinoa mix)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) fresh cracked black pepper , or to taste
  • 3 large eggs , beaten
  • vegetable oil for frying

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Cook quinoa to package instructions (should be about 2 cups water-1 cup quinoa. Simmer covered for 12-15 minutes). Allow to cool completely.
    cooking quinoa
  • In large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, onions, parmesan cheese, flour, parsley, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and beaten eggs. Mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients, but be gentle to not make the quinoa mushy.
    all ingredients in quinoa mix
  • Lightly oil hands to keep quinoa mix from sticking. Use about 3 Tablespoons of quinoa mix and form into a tight ball, then press down to form a patty (a large cookie scoop works great to make this fast and even).
    forming quinoa patties
  • In large skillet, add oil for frying, about 1/2 inch in depth. Heat the oil over medium/high heat until hot (350-375°F)(175-190°C).
    heating oil
  • Gently place the quinoa patties in the hot oil, cooking both sides about 3-5 minutes per side or until crispy brown.
    cooked crispy quinoa
  • Blot hot fritters on paper towels and serve with a sauce or use to make sandwiches, wraps, chopped in a grain bowl, etc.
    Dipping quinoa fritter in ranch

Video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 240kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 100mg, Sodium: 573mg, Potassium: 268mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 506IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 111mg, Iron: 3mg
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 240

How to Store Leftover Quinoa Fritters

They’re great in the fridge for up to 5 days. Try to eat them as soon as possible. If you’re wanting to freeze them then do soon after they’re cooled. Don’t wait a week after they’re cooked, then decide to freeze them. It’s best to freeze them while they’re still fresh. They will be great frozen for up to 5 weeks. After that, they start to get freezer burn and it’s not ideal to freeze them for too long.

Make Quinoa meatballs

You can use the same recipe and make these fritters into meatballs. Just adjust your cooking time to make sure the quinoa meatballs are cooked all the way through. After they’re crispy and cooked, add some tomato

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