Fried cauliflower, with its crispy edges on the outside and its creamy interior, is an absolute delight. Frying the cauliflower transforms this humble vegetable into a golden crunchy treat. Don't wait another day to try this simple Italian cauliflower recipe!
Are you a cauliflower lover? If cauliflower is one of your favorite vegetables, then you are going to LOVE this Easy Italian Style Fried Cauliflower Recipe!
You might have to set aside your favorite roasted cauliflower recipe for this one!
This is called "Cauliflower Fritti" in Italian, and fried cauliflower is now my favorite way to enjoy cavolfiore (cauliflower in Italian)!
Cauliflower Fritti is a great side dish, antipasto, or appetizer that you MUST try.
So let me tell you what you'll need to make this mouthwatering Italian cauliflower recipe!
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🥘 Ingredients
Here are the few simple ingredients that you will need to make this delicious cauliflower recipe:
- Cauliflower - cut into florets
- All purpose flour
- Parmesan cheese - finely shredded (could also use Pecorino Romano cheese)
- Egg
- Water
- Panko - you could sub Italian style breadcrumbs if you like
- Sea Salt
- Black pepper
- Frying oil
Now please read on for the step by step instructions to prepare this quick side dish recipe!
🔪 Instructions
This recipe is inspired by and adapted from the fantastic book "365 Easy Italian Recipes" by Rick Marzullo O'Connell.
Parboil The Cauliflower
Prepare your cauliflower by removing the touch outer leaves, and then cut into medium sized florets (try to cut them into roughly the same size if you can).
Add water and 1 ts salt to a large pot or saucepan, and bring it to the boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook the cauliflower around 3-4 minutes. If your florets are on the smaller side, cook 3 minutes, and 4 minutes if they are larger.
Cook until they are just about tender. It's a good idea not to overcook the florets or you risk them breaking up.
Drain and allow to dry completely and come to room temperature. This should take about 5-10 minutes.
Preheat your oil in your deep fryer to 350F. You could also use a large skillet or frying pan, but deep fryers are so easy to use and are highly recommended.
While preheating, we'll get busy dredging!
Dredge The Cauliflower
Set up your cauliflower dredging station. Add the flour to one plate, along with ½ ts salt and ½ ts pepper and combine. Now add the panko, Parmesan, ¼ ts salt and ¼ ts pepper to another plate and combine. Finally add the egg and 1 tablespoon of water to a shallow bowl, and whisk well.
Dredge the cauliflower florets by first dipping in the flour mixture, then dipping in the egg (allowing excess to run off), and finally dip into the panko/Parmesan mixture.
Fry The Cauliflower To Golden Brown Perfection!
Fry the dredged cauliflower in the hot oil for about 3-4 minutes, or until your florets are a lovely golden brown color. You may have to fry in batches as you don't want to overcrowd your fryer.
Drain on a paper towel, and then serve immediately nice and hot!
Suggestions For Enjoying And Serving
I recommend enjoying this perfect side dish with some delicious marinara sauce or another favorite sauce of yours!
You could also sprinkle some lemon juice and sea salt over your fried cauliflower. This is simple and utterly delicious, just like all the best Italian dishes are!
Italian fried cauliflower is great served before or alongside pasta dishes such as Linguine With Red Clam Sauce or Orecchiette With Broccoli.
I hope this will become one of your favorite Italian recipes!
FAQ
This dish is best enjoyed right after frying, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator.
Some Other Recipes You May Enjoy!
Here are some other Italian side dish recipes that you may enjoy:
- Italian Broccoli Recipe With Garlic and Lemon
- Easy And Elegant White Asparagus Side Dish Recipe
- Fresh Green Beans With Tomatoes, Garlic, and Chili Recipe
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Buon Appetito!
Grace
Easy Italian Style Fried Cauliflower Recipe
Equipment
- 1 deep fryer you could also use a large frying pan, but deep fryers are so easy to use and are highly recommended
- 1 large pot or saucepan
Ingredients
- ½ lb cauliflower cut into medium sized florets (try to cut them into roughly the same size if you can)
- ½ cup flour
- 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese finely shredded
- 1 each egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 cup panko could sub Italian style breadcrumbs
- 1 ts sea salt split (½ ts added to the flour, and ½ ts added to the panko); plus additional 1 ts salt to add to boiling the water for the cauliflower
- ½ ts black pepper split (¼ ts added to the flour, and ¼ ts added to the panko)
- 2 cups frying oil you may need more or less depending on the size of deep fryer/frying pan that you use
Instructions
- Add water and 1 ts salt to a large pot or saucepan, and bring it to the boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook the cauliflower around 3-4 minutes. If your florets are on the smaller side, cook 3 minutes, and 4 minutes if they are larger. Cook until they are just about tender (don't overcook or the florets will break up). Drain and allow to dry completely and come to room temperature.
- Preheat your oil in your deep fryer to 350F. While preheating, we'll get busy dredging!
- Set up your cauliflower dredging station. Add the flour to one plate, along with ½ ts salt and ½ ts pepper and combine. Add the panko, Parmesan, ¼ ts salt and ¼ ts pepper to another plate and combine. Add the egg and 1 tablespoon of water to a shallow bowl, and whisk well.
- Dredge the cauliflower florets by first dipping in the flour mixture, then dipping in the egg (allowing excess to run off), and finally dip into the panko/Parmesan mixture.
- Fry the dredged cauliflower in the hot oil for about 3-4 minutes, or until your florets are a lovely golden brown color. You may have to fry in batches as you don't want to overcrowd your fryer.
- Drain on paper towels, and then serve immediately, nice and hot with some delicious marinara sauce or another favorite sauce of yours!
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