Gluten free cauliflower pancakes make a wonderful appetizer, side dish, or vegetarian meal. Crispy on the outsides and cheesy tender on the inside, you will love this easy riced cauliflower recipe.
If you love cauliflower recipes as much as we do…here are all of my delicious gluten free cauliflower recipes in one place!
Riced Cauliflower
Have you seen all of those fun riced cauliflower recipes on Pinterest lately?
I have always wanted to try one, but the thought of ricing a cauliflower was a bit overwhelming. Do visions of cauliflower flying around my kitchen and creating a huge mess flash before your eyes?
Not to mention, my kids are not big fans of cauliflower unless it is served raw with extra ranch dressing. These gluten free cauliflower pancakes are going to change all of that! Kids love them.
Riced Cauliflower Pancakes
Luckily, I found this riced cauliflower at Trader Joe’s this week. (I love when Trader Joe’s makes something so incredibly easy to want.) It was the shortcut I was looking for. They did all of the work and this bag of riced cauliflower costs the same as a big head of cauliflower. Win-win! (*If you can’t find pre-packaged cauliflower rice, check out this simple step by step method to create your own riced cauliflower.)
And you can even use riced cauliflower instead of rice in risotto, check out this recipe for Shiitake Risotto!
How to make these cauliflower cheddar pancakes:
Toss the cauliflower rice into a large bowl and added the cheddar, leeks, and other ingredients.
I formed pancake-shaped cauliflower patties with my hands and carefully dropped them into the hot oil. The riced cauliflower pancakes get so crispy and delicious. I like to cook these in a cast-iron skillet because the pan can get nice and hot making a crisp outside!
Try cayenne for a spicy kick!
What oil is best for frying fritters and cauliflower pancakes?
When frying at high heat, you need to use an oil that can hold up to the heat. Some oils, like olive oil, will get rancid at high heat. Here are my favorite oils for frying:
- Avocado oil (my very favorite for savory dishes)
- Coconut oil (great for sweet fried recipes)
Click here to see all of my gluten free appetizer recipes.
Topping Ideas for your cauliflower pancakes:
- Sour cream
- Scallions
- Chives
- Bacon
More Delicious Gluten Free Cauliflower Recipes to Try:
- Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Alfredo Sauce
- Shiitake Riced Cauliflower Risotto
- Turmeric Lime Roasted Cauliflower
Tools To Make This Riced Cauliflower Pancakes Recipe:
- Lodge Cast Iron Skillet: This is by far my favorite pan and I do almost all of my frying in this.
- Food Chopper: I bought my cauliflower already riced, but if you can’t find it pre-chopped, this inexpensive food chopper will do the trick for you.
- Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Blend: My favorite gluten free flour, it works beautifully in this recipe without making my pancakes gummy.
How to Make Gluten Free Cauliflower Pancakes:
Gluten Free Cauliflower Cheddar Pancakes
Easy riced cauliflower cheddar pancakes.
Ingredients
- 1 bag riced cauliflower, or a head of cauliflower riced
- 3/4 cup Vermont cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 large leek, sliced
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup gluten free flour blend
- 1/2 cup almond milk, (or regular milk if you have it.)
- **Optional 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- garnish with sour cream and scallion.
Instructions
- Start heating oil in a pan on medium high heat.
- Add riced cauliflower, egg, cheese, salt, flour, leek and milk to a bowl and mix well.
- Test oil temperature by dropping a drip of water into the pan. If it sizzles, it is ready.
- Form patties.
- Drop patties into the hot oil.
- Cook until golden on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Remove from heat and put each patty onto a plate covered in paper towels (to absorb extra oil)
- Serve with sour cream and scallions
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 111 Total Fat: 7g Saturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 26mg Sodium: 188mg Carbohydrates: 7g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 2g Protein: 5g
Looking for a meal to enjoy after these appetizers?
How about this amazing gluten free fried chicken recipe from San Francisco’s Proposition Chicken?
These flourless chocolate peanut butter brownies would make a fabulous dessert!
Maria
I used cooked cauliflower a little well done, parmeson cheese and 2 lightly beaten eggs lots of seasoning , scallion, onion, garlic pwder, 1/4 cup almond flour, mashed everything together, used a ice cream scoop to drop the batter in the pan and flattened them with a spoon came out delicious. I’m sure any cheese wil be delicious
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you liked them Maria, thank you!
Cook
I made this, but added cream cheese and bacon bits. Too delicious.
Sandi Gaertner
I love the idea of cream cheese and bacon!
Jillian
This looks wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Jillian 🙂
Adriana Lopez Martin
This is a genius idea love that you used cauliflower I bet these are super tasty I need to make them soon would be a great yummy surprise to add this to my menu.
Sandi Gaertner
My kids even like these, and they are not huge cauliflower fans 🙂
Emily Hill
These sound healthy AND delicious–the best combination!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you like these Emily 🙂
Marie
These cauliflower pancakes look fantastic! I love the crispy outsides and the fact that it has cheese in them makes them even better!
Sandi Gaertner
My kids say the cheese makes these so good…plus it helps the crisping 🙂
Dahn
these are great little appetizers and a delicious gluten-free option. It seems like everyone wants a gluten-free snack so it’s always nice to have a few options at the parties
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Dahn, they certainly are great for entertaining.
Bsrbara
These look really good. Is it 9 net carbs for one pancake? Thank you.
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Barbara, the nutrition label is for one pancake. Thank you so much, Sandi
Geri Mcguire
I would like these recipes I do not have a printer.
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Geri, I tend to cook with my computer open. If you send your email, I can send a copy of this recipe to you…although I am not sure that would help if you can’t print? Please let me know.
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts
Sandi you had me at cheesy tender!!! Oh man!!!
We don’t have trader Joe’s here and I have never seen cauliflower rice in the grocery store, but that isn’t going to stop me…..I have a food processor and I am not afraid to use it 😉
These look sensational. A dollop of sour cream, a ribbon of smoked salmon and a few baby capers and I think my guests would be super happy!!!
Sandi Gaertner
Oooh, I love how you think Claire. Smoked salmon would make this recipe even better!
Helen@ scrummylane
Amazing! Usually anything this delicious is not exactly healthy but you’ve managed to make something crispy, deliciously cheesy AND nutritious.
I wish we had Trader Joe’s in Australia. I’m afraid I’ll still have bits of cauliflower flying around my kitchen if I make these, but it’ll be worth it 😀
Sandi Gaertner
LOL I did try to make my own riced cauliflower and it did fly around my kitchen 🙂
peter @Feed Your Soul Too
Sandi, looking for some new gluten free recipes of some classic dishes my family enjoys and saw this one. When I tried AP flour for a roux, I did not like how it changed the flavor. The pic looks great. Did you notice any flavor difference? Did it hold together?
Sandi Gaertner
I haven’t really done much with roux Peter. I find potato starch (like in a chowder) works really well as a replacement. I didn’t notice any off taste with these cauliflower cheddar pancakes. They hold together pretty well, but you do have to make sure the oil is really hot so it cooks quickly.
Barbara
Mmmmmmmm,, can’t wait to try them.
Sandi Gaertner
Enjoy Barbara 🙂
Melissa
Can you use almond flour or coconut flour?
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Melissa, I have not tried either of the flours you ask about with this recipe. I would say definitely not to the almond flour as that wouldn’t help bind the ingredients. I am not sure about the coconut flour. It definitely absorbs a lot of moisture, but I haven’t tested it in this way. If you try it, please let me know how it turns out.
Taylor
This sounds like a great way around my potato pancake obsession – way healthier anyway!!! I constantly use cauliflower as a substitute for everything, it’s so delicious and earthy!
Sandi Gaertner
We think alike 🙂 Thank you for writing Taylor.
Lana
This looks interesting. I am thinking of baking them. Will report back when I do. Thanks
Sandi Gaertner
I hope you like it. Please report back and let us know how baking these work so others can try it too. Have a great weekend 🙂
NinaT
These sound awesome! I’ve been trying to figure out a new way to use cauliflower….and I’ve actually been craving zucchini fritters, but haven’t tried making them gluten free yet….so this should satisfy my craving 😉 Also, just to put it out there, if your food processor is in good shape, making cauliflower rice is super duper easy! I’ve been making a gluten free jambalaya which my husband didn’t realize the “rice” was cauliflower until I told him!
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Nina, I love that your husband couldn’t tell it was cauliflower rice 🙂 I hope you like these, even my kids gobbled them up. I appreciate your taking the time to write. Have a great week.
Maureen
Well that didn’t work…and I added more flour and finally in desperation eggs and it still all fell apart!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so sorry Maureen. Let me see if I can help you. Can I ask a few questions? Which gluten free flour blend did you use? If it didn’t contain xanthan gum, you would need to add 1/2 teaspoon. Also, how hot was the oil when you dropped in a spoonful? I make sure the oil is bubbly hot, then I drop the batter in, then lastly press it down a bit to make the shape.
Julie
Same here! I think it needs an egg!
Oana @AdoreFoods
These pancakes are looking great! Just the perfect recipe to finish my cauliflower head I still have in my fridge. Yum!
Sandi Gaertner
I hope you like them Oana 🙂
Donna
Oh yum, we LOVE cauliflower around here – my kids are ridiculous and start cheering when they see it at the farmers market! I had no idea TJ’s had a pre-riced mix, looks great for a quick and easy alternative.
Derek
Good call on the Vermont Cheddar in this one Sandi! I bet these are awesome!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Derek 🙂
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
Great little pancakes! And how much do you love Trader Joe’s?? Always to the rescue with something tasty!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Patricia 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes)
Genius!!
Amanda {Striped Sptaula}
These look delicious! Love the addition of Vermont cheddar. I didn’t know that Trader Joe’s sells cauliflower already riced. Will look for it later today, thanks!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Amanda. I hope your Trader Joe’s has it. It makes cooking so much easier.
Mahy
These look like my perfect side dish, nibble, snack, appetizer, everything treat!! Simply genius!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Mahy 🙂
Tracy
Yum!! Who needs gluten?!
Sandi Gaertner
Agreed 🙂
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
I love using cauliflower rice in recipes! Great replacement to potatoes too!
Sandi Gaertner
I agree. I am finding new uses all of the time 🙂
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
Cauliflower and cheese are such a great combo, so these sound great. They look like potato pancakes and would work great as a sub for them anywhere.
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you 🙂
Christie
I’m heading to TJ’s and buying that riced cauliflower to make these!
Sandi Gaertner
It is so worth it 🙂
nicole @ I am a Honey Bee
such a great idea to use the riced cauliflower this way.
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Nicole 🙂
dixya @ food, pleasure, and health
i love cauliflower rice and love how you have used it here besides my old fried rice…
Diane
Sandi, These look crispy and delicious. Lol. You are right about ricing cauliflower at home. I have…and it did get all over my kitchen! The lid came off the blender at a very inconvenient time. Water and cauliflower everywhere! I’ll look for it in the stores! Thanks!
Sandi Gaertner
I had a feeling LOL.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
Thank you for the heads up on Trader Joes — we are due to go there soon and I’ve been wanting to make cauliflower rice. This is great. Your pancakes look delicious. Now I don’t like overly sweet things for breakfast — the pancakes would work beautifully.
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Marisa.
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life
How cool is that that you can buy already riced cauliflower at Trader Joe’s! I’ll be on the lookout for it now! These look delicious and my kids all love cauliflower so I know this would be a big hit in our house. 🙂
Sandi Gaertner
It really is good…and a huge time saver!
Jasmin
Someone is making riced cauliflower – really? I should move to USA, because (just like you sad) these pancakes will make a nice mess in my tiny kitchen, but I’ll give them a try 😉
Sandi Gaertner
I hope you like them Jasmin 🙂
Wajeeha
These look delicious! I love how they’re healthy AND easy! 🙂
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Wajeeha 🙂
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal
Sandi, these sound delicious! I make a potato version of this that I love, but I think that riced cauliflower may just be even tastier!
Sandi Gaertner
I would think it would be delicious as well 🙂
Marlene
These look tasty, Sandi. And thanks for letting us know that TJs has already riced cauliflower! I sent the link to my daughter, who is a big cauliflower fan. I haven’t been converted yet but these make me want to try!
Sandi Gaertner
My husband isn’t into cauliflower and liked this too.