Breakfast and Brunch, Lunch and Dinner, Main Dishes, Middle Eastern Recipes, Palestinian Cuisine

Palestinian Cauliflower Fritters (Emshat)

Golden Cauliflower Fritters served with mint yogurt on the side

Give your basic breakfasts a break and try these Palestinian Cauliflower Fritters. Alternatively known as Emshat, these fritters are the perfect vegetarian breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. They are incredibly delicious yet super easy to make. The flavorful mixture almost feels like a cauliflower omelette.

Something about them is just so comforting and nostalgic. I remember my mom making them for us when we lived in Amman back when I was a child. Lucky for me, my family enjoys them as much as I do, especially my toddler. They make both of us happy.


Golden Cauliflower Fritters served with mint yogurt on the side
Perfect for a quick breakfast!


Once You Start, You’ll Want More

Once you make Emshat for the first time, you won’t be able to stop. It will become a staple recipe in your house. And I honestly can’t blame you, it’s just that good. I make it so often too and my kid approves, so it’s a win-win situation.

First and foremost, it is super quick and easy to make which is convenient for those busy days when you don’t have the time or energy to cook a large meal.

It is a delicious and filling option for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner.

It can be a side dish that goes with almost anything and it also makes a great main dish by itself.

This recipe is very versatile so feel free to use other veggies and adapt it to your preference. Make sure to comment down below if you have tried any other variation of it, I would love to hear them!


Cauliflower Fritters garnished with chopped parsley
Warning! You will get addicted.

Palestinian Traditional Breakfasts

Take a trip to Palestine with me as I introduce you to the traditional, authentic Palestinian breakfast. So here is what breakfast there might look like: starting off strong with Fattet Betenjan which is a staple not only in Palestine but throughout the Middle East as well.

Fatteh is definitely more on the filling side so if you’re looking for a lighter meal to start your day, I would recommend these Authentic Labneh Balls with a cup of Middle Eastern Mint Tea (Shai Bi Na’Na). You could actually never go wrong with this combination.

If you’re in the mood for some baked goods, I would highly recommend my Middle Eastern Cheese Fatayer (Cheese Pies), Zaatar and Cheese Breakfast Bake, or these Tender Zaatar Cheese Buns.


How To Serve These Palestinian Cauliflower Fritters

As a kid, I used to dip these fritters in ketchup and there’s absolutely no way you can convince me now that it’s an acceptable way to eat them 😂. So take my advice and don’t do that. Unless you really enjoy them lol. But what I would suggest is pairing them with mint yogurt.

Feel free to add a little bit of your favorite cheese on top of the fritters or pair them with a sauce. Could be spicy or mild, it all depends on your preference. And let’s not forget that they also make a great addition to your table so they’re a great companion to any main dish.


Emshat served with slices of lemon garnished with vibrant parsley
Your taste buds will be satisfied.

Pro Tips

To help them hold their shape better, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

For each fritter, you need to spoon out 2 to 3 tablespoons of your batter.

To make it healthier, feel free to air fry. Make sure to spray the air fryer basket and top of the fritter then air fry at 400 for 15 minutes, flipping halfway.


Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I’m not happy with the consistency?

If the batter is too thin, add a little bit more flour until the consistency is to your liking. But if it’s too thick, add some cauliflower water.

Can I prepare these cauliflower fritters ahead of time?

It is perfectly fine to prepare them the night before. All you have to do is store them in an airtight container in the fridge.

How to store leftover Palestinian cauliflower fritters?

It is better to keep them at room temperature and you can definitely reheat them when you’re ready to enjoy them.


Soft fritters garnished with vibrant green parsley and served yogurt
Go ahead and try them now!

Ingredients

Cauliflower: the star of the show.

Green onions: they have a distinctive flavor, mild but oniony at the same time.

Parsley: it adds extra freshness to your fritters.

Eggs: it creates stability within the batter.

Flour: it is what creates the structure of your fritters.

Salt: add to taste.

7 spice: a very aromatic combination.

Cumin: it adds a very warm flavor.

Black pepper: adjust it to your preferred level of spiciness.

Cinnamon: it has a strong and rich flavor.


Steps To Prep

Make the best Palestinian Cauliflower Fritters by following these super simple steps:

First, cut the cauliflower into large pieces and add them to a pot with boiling water.

Then, cook for 15 minutes or until all parts of the cauliflower are fork-tender.

Next, drain and set them aside to cool.

Once cooled, mash with a spoon until chunky, then add the finely chopped parsley and green onions.

After that, add the spices, eggs, and flour then mix them well together.

At this point, your fritters are ready to be fried.

Fry on both sides until golden, and you’re done. Enjoy!


Filling Emshat presented beautifully
So yummy!

Must-Try Recipes:

Palestinian Purslane Stew Recipe

Traditional Palestinian Musakhan Recipe

Rashta (Irkak o Adas)

Chicken Musakhan Sliders

Middle Eastern Cheese Fatayer (Cheese Pies)

Middle-Eastern Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Tender Middle Eastern Style Beef Shawarma

Authentic Middle Eastern Chicken Shawarma

Tender Grilled Steak Kebabs

Lebanese Fried Kibbeh Recipe


If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on FacebookInstagram, and YouTube.


Cauliflower Fritters garnished with chopped parsley

Palestinian Cauliflower Fritters

Fatimah
These savory cauliflower fritters will have the whole family gathered over the plate to get a bite.
5 from 7 votes
Course Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Middle Eastern, Palestinian

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pounds cauliflower 2 small heads
  • 1 cup green onions finely chopped
  • ½ cup parsley finely chopped
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon 7 spice
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ½ tablepoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup flour

Instructions
 

  • First, cut the cauliflower into large pieces and add them to a pot with boiling water.
  • Then, cook for 15 minutes or until all parts of the cauliflower are fork tender.
  • Next, drain and set them aside to cool.
  • Once cooled, mash with a spoon until chunky, then add the finely chopped parsley and green onions.
  • After that, add the spices, eggs, and flour then mix them well together.
  • At this point, your fritters are ready to be fried.
  • Fry on both sides until golden, and you're done. Enjoy!

Notes

  • To help them hold their shape better, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • For each fritter, you need to spoon out 2 to 3 tablespoons of your batter.
  • To make it healthier, feel free you air fry. Make sure to spray the air fryer basket and top of the fritter then air fry at 400 for 15 minutes, flipping half way.
Keyword Emshat, Palestinian Cauliflower Fritters
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

6 thoughts on “Palestinian Cauliflower Fritters (Emshat)

  1. Farrah Sh says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious. Easy to follow recipes, and the taste is spot on!

  2. Yara says:

    5 stars
    Loved this! this was my first time trying these and I loved the flavor. Such winter time spices and cozy feelings. I surprised my love with this and he enjoyed it very much – he hadn’t had it in a very long time and was so happy.

  3. Sara says:

    5 stars
    My family’s fav breakfast 🤤🤤🤤YUM

  4. Rasha Ammoura says:

    5 stars
    Was so excited when I found this recipe reminded me of back home. Easy and simply delicious!

  5. Sara says:

    5 stars
    I have a Cauliflower in the fridge from a while and finally I’m using it😍😍😍

  6. Cathy R Lucas says:

    5 stars
    these were delicious!! As I ate them I cried knowing the atrocities going on in Gaza, children starving, they’d give anything to eat these! 🙁

5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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