“Better than Spinach Dip” CRISPY Spinach and Cheese Fritters

These crispy spinach and cheese fritters, known as tortitas crujientes de espinaca y queso, are what comfort food is all about. We’re talking a crispy exterior with a delicious interior, easy to make, and all done in about 30 minutes. Serve them as a tapas appetizer or even as a side dish.

To make this recipe, I used frozen spinach that I thawed out. You can also use fresh spinach if you like. Just lightly sauté it with the onion and garlic. Either way, if using frozen spinach, make sure to remove any of the excess water. Otherwise you won’t achieve that crispy exterior.

For the cheese, I used a Spanish Manchego that was aged for 3 months. However, any type of Manchego can be used here, as well as any other type of cheese you like. Great substitutes for Manchego are Pecorino Romano, Asiago, and white cheddar.

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: For the batter, I used sparkling water. You can also use club soda or beer. If you see your batter is too thick, just add in some whisked egg or more liquid. You can also make the batter ahead of time. It will hold for up to 2 to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY COOKWARE
MY CHEF´S KNIFE
EXTRA VIRGIN SPANISH OLIVE OIL
SPANISH GOLDEN SAFFRON

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Watch the Video Below on How to Make CRISPY Spinach and Cheese Fritters

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CRISPY Spinach and Cheese Fritters | Tortitas Crujientes de Espinaca y Queso

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine Spanish

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 473 kcal

Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 90 ml
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
• 8 oz frozen spinach (thawed out) 225 grams
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour 60 grams
• 1/2 tsp baking powder 2 grams
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup sparkling water 90 ml
• 1 cup shredded Manchego cheese 120 grams
• 1/2 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 1.25 grams
• sea salt & black pepper

FOR THE MAYO AIOLI

• 2 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
• 1/4 tsp saffron threads 0.17 grams
• 1/2 cup low fat mayonnaise 120 grams
• 1 tsp dijon mustard 5 grams
• 1 tsp lemon juice 5 ml
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 15 ml
• sea salt & black pepper

Instructions

1. Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil

2. After a couple of minutes, add in the chopped onion and garlic, mix continuously, after 3 to 4 minutes and the ingredients are lightly sautéed, turn off the heat

3. Add the thawed-out spinach into a colander with a bowl underneath, and using a large wooden spoon, push down on the spinach to remove the excess water

4. Add the flour and baking powder into a large bowl, whisk together, then make a well in the middle, crack in the egg, and whisk the egg, and then add in the sparkling water, and whisk everything together until you get a smooth batter

5. Add the spinach into the batter, along with the sautéed onions and garlic, shredded cheese, paprika, and season with salt & pepper, mix together until well mixed

6. Heat the same large fry pan with a medium heat, and add in 4 tbsp (60 ml) olive oil

7. After a couple of minutes and the oil is nice and hot, start adding in spoonfuls of the batter and gently pushing down on each one, you want all the fritters in a single layer and evenly spaced, so cook in batches to not overcrowd the pan, fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until golden and crispy, then transfer into a dish with paper towels

8. To make the mayo aioli, add the chopped garlic into a mortar, along with the saffron and a pinch of salt, using a pestle, pound down on the ingredients until you get a paste-like texture, then add in the mayonnaise, dijon mustard, lemon juice, olive oil, and season with salt & pepper, whisk together until you get a creamy sauce

9. Add the mayo aioli into a serving dish and decorate the fritters around it, enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Get the Spanish Olive Oil and Spanish Golden Saffron I used to make this Recipe

Nutrition Facts

CRISPY Spinach and Cheese Fritters | Tortitas Crujientes de Espinaca y Queso

Amount Per Serving

Calories 473 Calories from Fat 351

% Daily Value*

Fat 39g60%

Saturated Fat 8g50%

Trans Fat 0.02g

Polyunsaturated Fat 7g

Monounsaturated Fat 22g

Cholesterol 73mg24%

Sodium 540mg23%

Potassium 310mg9%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 12g24%

Vitamin A 7050IU141%

Vitamin C 6mg7%

Calcium 268mg27%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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