Cheesy chicken fritters are low-carb, gluten-free, and veggie-packed! Easy keto chicken fritters, whether baked in the oven or pan-fried, will become one of your favorite dinners and snacks. These fritters are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with savory flavor. This article provides several variations of keto chicken fritters recipes, offering options for different tastes and preferences.
What are Chicken Fritters?
A fritter is a portion or patty of food, which can include meat, poultry, seafood, or vegetables, that is often breaded and then fried. In the case of these cheesy chicken fritters, the breading (or almond flour or pork panko for keto versions) is added directly into the patties before frying or baking.
Baked Keto Chicken Fritters
These easy-baked chicken fritters are a breeze to make, using simple ingredients and easy preparation steps.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts, cut into little cubes
- Chopped paprika
- Shredded mozzarella
- Egg
- Mayonnaise
- Fresh parsley
- Salt
- Paprika powder
- Freshly ground pepper
- Coconut flour
The combination of shredded mozzarella and mayonnaise adds a delightful cheesy texture and flavor to these fritters.
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cut chicken breasts, chopped paprika, shredded mozzarella, egg, mayonnaise, fresh parsley, salt, paprika powder, freshly ground pepper, and coconut flour. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Shape the Fritters: Divide the mixture into equal parts (approximately 14). Use your hands or an ice cream scoop to shape each part into a small patty or fritter shape.
- Bake: Place the fritters on the prepared sheet pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the fritters are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve Hot: Once baked, serve the fritters hot with a side of sour cream dip or salad.
Low-carb chicken fritters with veggies and cheese can be served in various ways.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Dill Pickle Chicken Fritters
These Dill Pickle Chicken Fritters are crispy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, offering a unique twist with salty, crunchy dill pickles. They provide fried pickle vibes but are even better! This recipe requires only a handful of basic ingredients and can be on the table in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- Ground Chicken (or ground turkey)
- Dill Pickles, chopped
- Egg (size large)
- Shredded Cheese (sharp cheddar, Colby-Jack, pepper jack, or mozzarella)
- Coconut Flour
- Seasoning and dill
Instructions
- Combine the ground chicken, chopped pickles, seasoning, and dill in a mixing bowl.
- Once the mixture is combined, add the egg, shredded cheddar cheese, and coconut flour.
- Using a small ice cream scoop or a 1/4 cup measuring cup, pat out the chicken fritters. Pat the fritters a little thinner than you think they need to, as they will puff a bit as they cook.
- Heat about ¼ inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, carefully add the fritters to the skillet. Ensure the fritters are not touching, and do not overcrowd the pan.
- Fry until golden brown on both sides.
- Serve these fritters immediately while they are hot, fresh, and crispy! Serve with Ranch dressing, fresh dill, and more dill pickles! You can also serve these alongside Air Fryer Broccoli or Cauliflower for a complete meal.
Air Fryer Instructions
While the skillet version is preferred, you can also try the air fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes, letting the fritters chill in the fridge to help them hold up better.
- Add a few fritters, ensuring they do not touch.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping once around the 7-8 minute mark. Allowing the fritter to cook a bit longer on the first side helps the fritters stay together better.
- For better browning and a crispier texture, spray with a thin layer of oil right before cooking and after flipping.
Tips
- You can use ground turkey as a protein substitute.
- Coconut flour is recommended as a binding agent. Almond flour may not work as well.
Cheesy Chicken Fritters (Pan-Fried)
These Chicken Fritters are incredibly easy to make! Chicken breast, Parmesan cheese, and plenty of aromatics come together in patty form and are pan-fried to golden brown perfection. They come together with a handful of simple ingredients in under 1 hour and are perfect for making in advance.
Ingredients
- Chicken breast, chopped into tiny pieces
- Parmesan Cheese
- Garlic, minced
- Green onion, sliced
- Parsley, chopped
- Eggs
- Almond Flour (or pork panko or bread crumbs)
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Chop chicken into tiny pieces (about ¼ inch).
- Slice green onion, mince garlic, and chop parsley. Combine them all in a large bowl.
- Add parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper and combine.
- Beat the eggs and add them to the bowl. Stir to combine.
- Next, add almond flour (or pork panko or bread crumbs) and mix.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over the stove and add olive oil.
- Use your hands to shape the patties (about 2 inches wide).
- Cook them in the skillet on both sides until golden brown.
Tips
- To make this recipe low carb, be sure to use almond flour or pork panko.
- A wide skillet or wok works best to help the cheesy chicken fritters cook evenly.
- Don't overcrowd the pan. If you notice a lot of steam when you add more fritters to the pan, it’s probably too crowded.
- For even cooking, fry them over low heat.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with your favorite dipping sauces.
- Use as a salad topper.
- Serve in a sandwich or wrap.
Storage and Reheating
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave or enjoy chilled if added to a salad or wrap.
Freezing Instructions
- Freeze them raw - you can add them to a baking sheet and flash freeze first so they don’t stick to each other, or use patty dividers to keep them separated.
- When ready to use, there’s no need to thaw them, just fry them over low heat for even cooking. You can also freeze the cooked chicken fritters for several months. Use a heavy duty freezer bag and remove excess air to avoid freezer burn.
Keto Chicken Fritters with Cheddar
These keto chicken fritters have been insanely popular because they’re made with simple, wholesome ingredients. The cheddar melts into the fritters as they cook, creating a crispy golden crust and a tender, cheesy interior.
Ingredients
- Ground chicken
- Sharp cheddar, grated
- Almond flour
- Egg
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Oil or butter for cooking
Instructions
- Combine the chicken, cheddar, almond flour, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a large mixing bowl. Mix with your hands to make it all nicely uniform.
- Use about 2 tablespoons of the mixture at a time and form into small patties about 2 ½ to 3 inches across.
- Heat the oil or butter in a large skillet.
- Cook the patties about 3 minutes per side, until cooked through (the internal temperature should reach at least 165ºF on an instant read thermometer).
- Place the patties on a paper towel lined plate to drain off any residual oil.
Tips
- An hour in the fridge allows the fritters to firm up and hold together better when frying. You can make the patties up to a day in advance of cooking.
- Make them any size! Small fritters are great for appetizers and snacks, but you can make full-size burgers.
- I recommend scraping out some of the stuck-on cheese between batches, to avoid burning it.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Grease the basket well and then brush a little melted butter over the fritters to help them brown.
- Cook at 400ºF for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in a warm oven.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
General Tips and Variations
- Protein Substitution: You can replace the chicken with turkey in most of these recipes.
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses like pepper jack or Colby-Jack.
- Binding Agents: While almond flour and coconut flour are commonly used, ensure they are used as directed, as substitutions may affect the fritters' consistency.
- Serving Suggestions: These fritters can be served as a main course, appetizer, or snack. They pair well with various dipping sauces, salads, and side dishes like steamed broccoli or cauliflower.
- Customization: One reader made a Tex Mex version!
Nutritional Information
This keto chicken fritter recipe has approximately 1.7g of carbs and 0.6g of fiber per serving, resulting in 0.9g net carbs for 2 fritters.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto