Overview: How to make Chicken Fritters

1. Combine the ingredients: Combine the chicken, cheddar, almond flour, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix with your hands to make it all nicely uniform.
2. Form the patties: Use about 2 tablespoons of the mixture at a time and form into small patties about 2 ½ to 3 inches across. Place a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate one hour.
3. Cook the patties: Heat the oil or butter in a large skillet and add butter. When melted and hot, brown the chicken patties until cooked through.
4. Drain: Place the patties on a paper towel lined plate to drain off any residual oil.

Ingredient Notes

• Frozen spinach: I recommend frozen spinach rather than fresh for simplicity. It’s easier to remove more of the liquid from frozen spinach.
• Ricotta cheese: Use whole milk ricotta cheese and drain off any liquid that has accumulated around the top.
• Almond flour: You could also use sunflower seed flour for a nut-free alternative.
• Parmesan: Make sure the parmesan is finely grated so that it mixes in better.
• Egg: You do need an egg to help hold the fritters together properly.
• Butter or oil: Lightly brushing the fritter with oil makes them brown more nicely in the air fryer. If you fry them in a pan, you will need additional oil.
• Seasonings: Italian seasoning, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.

Step by Step Directions

1. Squeeze the spinach: Place the thawed spinach in a kitchen rag or tea towel and twist to release as much moisture as possible. This is best done over the sink!
2. Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the ricotta, almond flour, parmesan, garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir in the egg: Add the egg and work that in until well combined. Use a silicone spatula to work everything together like a dough.
4. Form into patties: Using about 2 tablespoons of the mixture at a time, form into balls and then flatten the balls into patties. You should get at least 12.
5. Air fry: Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF and lightly grease the rack(s). Place the fritters in a single layer on the racks and brush lightly with melted butter or oil. If your air fryer is small, you may need to work in batches. Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping over partway through and brushing the second side with butter or oil.

Tips for Success

Ricotta can sometimes have a lot of liquid. I always find that it pools at the top of the cheese when you’ve already removed some. Make sure to pour off any of that liquid before measuring it out, or your mixture will be too wet.

If the ricotta you use is quite liquidy as is, consider straining it through a sieve lined with paper towel before using.

I recommend frozen spinach for recipes like this because it’s easier to work with. You can easily squeeze out all the extra moisture once it’s thawed. Fresh, uncooked spinach may work but I didn’t test this recipe with it

Stovetop Directions

Follow the directions for forming the fritters. Heat 2 tablespoon of oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the fritters and let cook until golden brown on the bottom, 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip over and cook on the second side until golden brown. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain a few minutes before serving.