33 fritter recipes

Crispy Sri Lankan vegetable fritters made with gram flour, shredded cabbage and carrots, seasoned with garam masala and chili, fried until golden brown.

Ulundu vadai, crispy South Asian urad dal fritters shaped into little doughnut rings, spiced with chili, curry leaves, and ginger, then deep-fried golden. Crunchy outside, fluffy within, with chutney.

Chana dhal vada, crispy South Asian lentil fritters made from coarsely ground split chickpeas spiced with chili, curry leaves, and chat masala, then deep-fried golden. A vegan tea-time snack with chutney.

Cuban black-eyed pea fritters fried golden, spiked with garlic and hot chili. Vegan, dairy-free, and the kind of crackling street snack meant to be eaten hot off the paper towel.

Falafel sandwiches with split pea and chickpea flour fritters stuffed into pita pockets with tomatoes, onions, pickles, and your choice of homemade hummus or tahini sauce. A vegan Middle Eastern lunch.

Pseftokeftedes are Santorini tomato fritters mixing chopped Roma tomatoes, scallions, garlic, mint, and oregano into a pancake-style batter, fried crisp in olive oil. Vegetarian Greek meze.

Dahi vada made with urad and moong dal, deep-fried into golden fritters, soaked in water, then served in spiced yogurt. A classic Indian appetizer with creamy, tangy contrast.

Gateaux piments, Mauritian chilli cakes made from soaked chana dal, green chilies, turmeric, and fresh herbs. Deep-fried into crispy golden fritters.

European-style apple or cherry fritter doughnuts with kirsch-scented batter and folded egg whites for a light, airy crumb. Dropped by the spoonful and fried golden, dusted with sugar.

Southern hush puppies with creamed corn, chopped onions, and cornmeal batter. Drop by spoonfuls into hot oil, fry until golden for moist, slightly sweet cornbread fritters.

Panelle are Sicilian chickpea fritters: simmered chickpea-flour dough chilled, cut into rounds, deep-fried golden, and dusted with lemon-zest-peppered almonds. Street food from Palermo.

Elephant ears: Pennsylvania Dutch yeast-dough fritters stretched thin, deep-fried until golden and bubbly, then dusted with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. The state fair classic.

Crispy spiced fritters dripped through a slotted spoon into hot oil, made with chickpea flour, buttermilk, sambal, and a hand-ground spice blend of coriander, mustard, and cinnamon.

Potato garbanzo gnocchi: instant mashed potatoes bound with chickpea and rice flour, deep fried into crispy fritter-style dumplings with garlic and cayenne. Naturally vegan, ready in 15 minutes.

A traditional Indian pakora batter made from sifted chickpea flour, ghee, and a fragrant blend of garam masala, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne. Dip any vegetable and fry for crispy, golden fritters.

Herbed chickpea patties blended with egg whites, bread crumbs, dry mustard, oregano, and basil, pan-fried on a nonstick griddle. Low-fat vegetarian fritters similar to falafel but lighter and easier to make.