Cabbage Fritters (Fried or Baked) (2024)

If you’re looking for fried cabbage recipes, this simple cabbage fritter recipe might be the one! It features fresh vegetables like shredded cabbage, onion, carrot battered with egg and a touch of flour, yielding a golden brown top once fried.

Flavored with herbs and spices these cabbage fritters can be enjoyed as side dish or appetizer with virtually anything you like. Kids will love them too!

Jump to RecipePrint Recipe

Cabbage Fritters Recipe

This healthy cabbage fritter recipe is simple and customizable, the ingredients come together in just five minutes when you already have some shredded cabbage in the fridge. Just like my grated potato fritters these savory cabbage pancakes can be enjoyed either warm or cold.

When reheated the cabbage patties become quite tender but if you like them crisp then consume them right away! Enjoy the cabbage fritters with some avocado and kale salad on the side, as bread substitution for meat patties or maybe with simply sliced veggies and a honey mustard dressing as dipping sauce.Leftover fritters make a good breakfast, by the way.

These cabbage fritters are inspired from classic Japanese vegetable pancake called “Okonomiyaki“. Similar to cabbage latkes, they can easily be adapted for a special diet like paleo, keto, gluten free and dairy free.

Related: Potato Fritters With Crab

Essential Ingredients For Cabbage Fritters

• Shredded green cabbage – use a mandoline for fine uniformly sliced cabbage. Or use pre-packaged shredded cabbage.
• Eggs – are needed for binding everything together, without using too much flour.
• Flour – use any you like. Gluten free flours also works. As grain free flours you can use cassava, arrowroot or almond flour. Use one type or a mix of two or more. The finer (starchier) the better.
• Carrot – is needed just for flavor and a touch of color. The starch in carrot also helps with texture.
• Onion or scallions, garlic – for flavor.
• Seasonings: black pepper, salt and paprika. Smoked paprika will yield a smoky flavor.

Find the complete printable recipe with measurements below.

Related: Healthy Creamy Coleslaw (No Mayo, Keto, Vegan, Low Carb)

Related: Fermented Red Cabbage And Beets (Probiotic Rich Sauerkraut)

Heads up: some are affiliate links & I may receive a small commission from qualifying sales. For more info

How To Make The Cabbage Fritters

Step 1. Prepare the ingredients (wash and cut):

• Shred the cabbage with a mandoline slicer (for fine uniform shreds). You will need 16 oz, about 7 packed cups. Or about 1/3 of a medium head of cabbage.
• Thinly slice 2-3 scallions (or a regular onion).
• Grate the carrots with a box grater.
• Mince the garlic or use the finer side of a box grater.

Step 2. Combine all the ingredients:

• In a large bowl add all prepared ingredients and toss lightly to combine and coat everything with egg. You can use your hands. Don’t use force while mixing, you don’t want to draw too much water from the cabbage.
• The cabbage mixture might look like a slaw at first, without much hope for sticking together, but don’t worry, the fritters will hold together once fried. The first ones might be a little fragile, but the hold will improve while you continue.

Step 3. Shape the cabbage pancakes and fry:

• Heat a non-stick skillet (I use a 10″ ceramic coated skillet) on medium low heat (my stove know is at 3) for 3 minutes or so.
• Add fat for frying, let it heat for 1 minute. It will provide a golden crisp crust. I’m using ghee, but you could use any healthier heat resistant oils like avocado oil or grape-seed oil.
• Form a ball in your hands and place it in the heated skillet. Press down with a spatula or your hands (while arranging the sided) to flatten. The thinner the better it will cook inside.
• Fry 3 minutes per side. Or until the surface is golden brown and crispy. Repeat with the remaining fritter mixture, adding more oil/ghee as needed. Serve warm or cold.

TIP: While frying the cabbage fritters you may notice some liquid accumulating at the bottom of the bowl. That is the egg, flour and some cabbage juice mixed together. Don’t discard that slurry liquid. That actually acts as a binding agent.

Before you scoop a new batch try to gently incorporate the liquid back in the mixture, and quickly place the cabbage “ball” into the skillet before it drips. The quicker you finish the “batter” the better. Use two skillets if necessary.

Related: Healthy Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage Fritters FAQs

Related: Lazy cabbage roll casserole

Variations / Add-ins For Cabbage Pancakes

• Swap the veggies in the cabbage pancakes. As long as the same volume of vegetables is used. Potato, sweet potato, zucchini or celery root will all work.
• Give more substance to the cabbage fritters with the addition of leftover cooked grains likebrown riceor buckwheat.
• Pump up the flavor with extra spices like chili flakes, coriander, cumin, turmeric.
• Add cheese: grated feta, parmesan or cheddar are all great (or a dairy free version). I recommend about 1/2 to 3/4 cup.

Related: Shrimp Cabbage Salad

Related: Healthy Chicken Fritters (Fried Or Baked)

What To Serve With Cabbage Fritters

More Veggie Fritters Recipes

• Easy Healthy Pumpkin Fritters
• Crispy Golden Grated Potato Fritters
• Potato Fritters With Crab Meat | GF