If you're looking for a delicious way to enjoy leeks, try these tasty Cheesy Leek Fritters. These veggie fritters are made with cooked leeks, cheese, and seasonings, then served with a creamy homemade garlic yogurt sauce. They are perfect for parties or gatherings, or as a savory snack!
Leek fritters are a quick, easy and hearty way to enjoy the seasonal vegetable. You can whip them up in just 30 minutes with pantry ingredients.
Serve them as a side dish or vegetarian main dish. They're even great topped with a poached egg for breakfast.
I absolutely love cooking with leeks.
They have a delicious mild onion flavor that's perfect for savory dishes. Plus, they're a great way to add some extra veggies to your meal.
One way to use them in a recipe is by making a base of cooked-down leeks as a base, mixing in some add-ins, and pan-frying them into leek fritters.
These leek fritters are inspired by leek fritters I had at an Ottolenghi restaurant. They were so good that I just had to try making them myself!
You'll simply cook leeks down until soft and tender, then mix them with eggs, sour cream, cheese, and a heap of tasty seasonings. Pan fry until golden brown and top with an easy homemade garlic yogurt sauce.
They're perfect for a savory breakfast, hearty brunch, lunch or light dinner.
These leek fritters were inspired by my Moroccan Chickpea Carrot Fritters, and Cheesy Zucchini Fritters recipes on this site. I love serving them with a green salad, or one of these healthy soup recipes.
Why Make This Recipe
These leek fritters are the perfect food to serve as an appetizer or side dish.
Fritters are a great way to use up excess seasonal leeks.
They're versatile and can be enjoyed at any meal.
The savory leek fritters pair well with the tangy and creamy garlic yogurt sauce.
They are also kid-friendly and make a great after-school or work snack!
You can make a big batch, then freeze them for another day. They're perfect for meal prep.
Ingredients
- Thinly Sliced Leeks - Trimmed leeks are thinly sliced and used as the main ingredient in these fritters.
- Butter - Used to cook the leeks and give them a rich buttery flavor.
- Eggs - Binds everything together to help keep their shape.
- Sour Cream - Adds a hint of creamy and tangy texture to the fritters.
- All-Purpose Flour (aka plain flour) - Helps bind the ingredients together and give a classic fritter texture.
- Baking Powder - Makes the fritters rise slightly giving them a light and airy texture.
- Dried Seasonings - A mix of ground cumin, dried chili flake, turmeric, and cinnamon make the perfect warming savory blend for these fritters.
- Cheddar Cheese - Binds all of the ingredients together and gives them a rich cheddar flavor.
- Salt & Pepper - Enhances all of the flavors in the recipe.
- Olive Oil - Used to pan-fry the fritters to get a nice golden brown sear on each side.
For the Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- Greek Yogurt - Gives the sauce its creamy and tangy flavor. You can also use regular unflavored yogurt.
- Garlic Clove - Adds a fresh garlic flavor to the sauce.
- Lemon Juice - Gives the sauce a tart citrus acidity.
- Olive Oil - Helps thicken the sauce and adds richness.
- Chopped Parsley - Gives the sauce a fresh green pop of color and flavor.
- Salt & Pepper - Enhances the flavor of the sauce.
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full quantities.
Instructions
Wondering how to make this Leek Fritter recipe? It's easy!
Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Cook the leeks: Add the butter to a frying pan over medium heat. Once melted, add the sliced leeks and saute until soft and tender. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
Make the fritter binder: Add the eggs and sour cream to a bowl and mix to combine. Sift in the flour, baking powder, cumin, turmeric, and cinnamon and gently stir until everything is fully combined.
Assemble the fritters: To the binder ingredients, add the cooked leeks, cheese, parsley, and chili flakes. Add salt and pepper to season, then mix everything together to form a thick batter.
Pan-fry the fritters: Add olive oil to a large heavy skillet over medium heat until shiny and hot. Add large tablespoons of the batter to the frying pan and spread out into small circle shapes leaving space between to spread. Cook for 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Repeat.
Make the sauce: In a small bowl, add all of the sauce ingredients together and combine with a spoon or a whisk until evenly distributed.
Assemble the fritters: Serve fritters while hot with a dollop of garlic yogurt sauce and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Cook's Tips
For best results, use a heavy skillet or griddle to pan-fry the fritters. This will help ensure that they cook evenly and get a nice golden brown sear on each side.
The leek mixture can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to use.
If the leeks are browning too quickly, reduce the heat to low.
The fritters can also be baked in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes instead of pan-fried.
Variations
Try adding in a few finely chopped green onions or chives to the batter for even more onion flavor.
For more vegetarian protein, add a handful of cooked chickpeas or lentils.
You could also add some fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or sage to the batter for a fresh herb kick.
Add some ground cardamom for a different flavor.
Add a small handful of corn kernels to the batter.
Instead of using cheddar, try other shredded cheeses such as mozzarella, gouda, or gruyere.
Storage & Freezing
Storing: The leek fritters can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat them by frying them in a hot pan for a few minutes until heated through.
The garlic yogurt sauce can also be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Simply give it a good stir before serving.
Freezing: The leek fritters can also be frozen. To freeze, first, let them cool completely then place in an airtight container or freezer bag. They will last for up to two months in the freezer. To reheat, simply thaw out overnight in the fridge and fry in a hot pan until heated through.
FAQs
Leeks have a mild, onion-like flavor. They are often used in dishes as a way to add depth of flavor and natural sweetness.
Yes, the leek fritters can easily be made gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. Check that all other ingredients are gluten-free too.
Ottolenghi is a London-based restaurant chain and cookbook author known for his inventive Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine.
More Leek recipes
Grilled Leeks with Lemon and Parmesan
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Leek Fritters With Cheddar
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound leeks (2 medium sized) washed trimmed and sliced finely
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup sour cream (50g)
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour (plain flour) (85g)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup cheddar cheese (25g) shredded
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
- ¼ teaspoon dried red chili flakes optional
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- 4 tablespoons olive oil for frying
Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (125g)
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon parsley freshly chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the butter to a frying pan over a medium heat. When it melts, add the sliced leeks and fry, stirring often, until soft - about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the eggs and sour cream to a bowl and beat well.
- Sift in the flour, baking powder, cumin, turmeric and cinnamon and gently stir.
- Add the cooked leeks, cheese, parsley and chili flakes (if using) and season with the salt and pepper. Gently stir it all together into a thick batter.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add heaped tablespoonfuls of the fritter batter to the pan and gently spread into small rounds, leaving space between them.
- Cook until golden brown (about 3 minutes on each side), flip and cook the other side, ensuring they’re cooked through.
- Repeat with the remaining oil and batter.
Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- Stir all the sauce ingredients together and store in the fridge until ready to use.
- Serve the leek fritters warm, with a dollop of garlic yogurt sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
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