Gluten Free Cheddar Delicata Squash Fritters

These delicata squash fritters make a tasty appetizer packed full of flavor. Crispy and delicious, with lots of melty cheddar cheese, this gluten free fritters recipe will please a crowd.

Have you tried fritters? They are crispy on the outside, and they melt in your mouth. They are so easy to make gluten free. You can make fritters with many vegetables, but I love to use winter squash. Winter squash is sweet and full of flavor.

My gluten free fritters recipe can be made with any winter squash. If you love appetizers, don't forget to check out my best gluten-free recipes.

What is Delicata Squash?

Have you tried this sweet, mild winter squash? Delicata squash is a long yellow squash with green stripes. You can buy delicata squash at most grocery stores and even at your local farmer's market.

I love using squash in recipes because it is so easy to conceal. My kids don't know something healthy is hidden in these fritters! If you don't believe me, try these Gluten Free Delicata Squash Brownies.

If you are an appetizer fiend like me, try these  Stuffed Pepper Jack Mini Peppers or these BBQ Chicken Nachos.

How to roast delicata squash:

For this recipe, I used raw grated delicata squash. It is very easy to grate delicata squash. (You can also cook the squash, though it won't be as crispy throughout.)

I will share my long way and a quick and easy way to cook squash. There is nothing better than delicata squash roasted so the flavors caramelize, but if you are in a hurry, I have those directions too.

1. To grate, cut the squash in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds. Use a peeler to remove the outer thin skin of the squash. Cut long strips of the squash and run over a grater.
2. If you prefer to use cooked squash, roast it in the oven with a little good-quality olive oil. Depending on whether I am using it for something savory or sweet, I may add a little salt.
3. If you are in a hurry, don't worry! There is a quick and easy way to cook this squash. Cut the squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Place the delicata squash face down on a microwave-safe plate. Add a little water to the plate and microwave for 5-7 minutes until soft.

What kind of squash is best to make fritters?

You can make fritters out of any squash! I used delicata squash in this recipe, but you can also use:

• Butternut squash - butternut squash fritters are so full of sweet flavor!
• Acorn squash
• Zucchini (if you use zucchini to make fritters, you must use paper towels to dry the shredded zucchini. Otherwise, they will be soggy!)
• Riced cauliflower also makes delicious fritter-like pancakes!

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Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:

It is so easy to cook delicata squash! Are you ready to get started?

Step 1: Grate the winter squash with a grater or food processor. Put it into a large bowl.

Step 2: Add all of the fritter ingredients into the bowl with the winter squash and mix well.

Step 3: Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet. Drop spoonfuls of the squash mixture and press them flat with a metal spatula. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. Before flipping them over, you will want the squash to be crispy like above.

Did you know?

Some types of oil do not work well with high-heat cooking. Some oils can go rancid or give a burnt flavor to food. Always use an oil that has a high smoking point when frying food.

Step 4: As the fritters are done cooking, use a metal spatula to move them to a paper towel-lined plate so they can absorb extra oil.

Serve hot with sour cream and chives as a garnish. If you like to spice things up, add a few drops of sriracha!

How to Store Gluten Free Fritters:

These fritters will keep up to 3 days in an air-tight container or up to 4 months in the freezer. To reheat these fritters, you will need to bake them at 350º F for 10-15 minutes.

Recipe FAQ:

More Winter Squash Recipes:

• The Best Gluten Free Winter Squash Recipes You Need For Fall!
• Crispy Delicata Squash Quesadillas {Gluten Free!}
• Stuffed Kabocha Squash {Vegan option!}

📖 Recipe

Delicata Squash Cheddar Fritters

Sandi Gaertner

Crispy Delicata Squash Cheddar Fritter appetizer.

4.86 from 14 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Gluten Free Appetizer Recipes

Cuisine American

Servings 10 fritters

Calories 182 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  Cast iron skillet
• ▢
  Mixing bowls
• ▢
  Food processor

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 ½ cups shredded delicata squash * see note
• ▢ ¼ cup milk
• ▢ 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
• ▢ ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• ▢ ½ cup gluten free flour blend * see note
• ▢ ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional

For frying

• ▢ ½ cup avocado oil or other high heat oil

Instructions

 

• Peel the rind off a delicata squash.
• Cut the squash in half and remove the seed.
• Use a grater to grate the squash into a bowl.
• Add all other ingredients.
• Mix well.
• Set up a large platter with paper towels on the bottom.
• Heat oil over high heat in a pan.
• When the oil is hot (drop a drip of water in, if it sizzles, it is hot enough) Target 375º F for the oil temperature.
• Drop the batter into the hot oil.
• Cook 2-3 minutes then flip so the other side cooks.
• Remove the fritters from the oil and set onto the paper towels.
• Top with sour cream and scallions.

Notes

1. You can use any winter squash in this recipe! I recommend also trying butternut and acorn squash.
2. To make this dairy-free you can use vegan cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese. So far VioLife is one of my favorites.
3. You can use any gluten free flour blend for this recipe.
4. These fritters will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.
5. To reheat, bake the fritters in the oven at 350º F for 10-15 minutes. This will help the fritters stay crunchy when reheating them.

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 182kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 114mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 401IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 136mgIron: 1mg

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Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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(*This post was updated from a 12/21/15 post.)

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