Spicy Spinach and Cannelloni Beans Fritters

White beans are usually associated with soups or stews, but here is a white beans fritters recipe that can be quickly made with just a few ingredients and is sure to be a palette pleasure.

This pan fried vegan fritters recipe is a slight twist to an Indian lentils fritters dish called ‘Daal ke Pakore’. It is almost like the popular ‘onion bhajias’ but instead of onions its made of lentils.

In this recipe I have replaced lentils with a can of cannellini beans also called white kidney beans and added fresh spinach and some spices to make some delicious indulgent beans fritters.

Ingredients For Making Beans Fritters

The inspiration of these gluten free fritters recipe came from a combination of Indian dal bhajiya’s ( or daal pakora’s) and Chila’s ( Indian gram flour pancakes)

So, one of the ingredients that you will need is gram flour also known as chickpeas flour. Here is the list of other ingredients:

FRESH AND PANTRY ITEMS

⇒ 250gm , Cannellini Beans

⇒ 1 cup Spinach, frozen or fresh

⇒ 3/4 cup Gram flour

⇒ 1 tsp Garlic powder or fresh chopped garlic (optional)

⇒ 1/4 – 1/2 cup water

⇒ Lemon juice

⇒ Salt to taste

⇒ Oil for pan frying

SPICES NEEDED

⇒Turmeric (Click here to read about the benefits and uses)

⇒ Red Chilli powder ( Click here to read about Kashmiri chillies )

⇒ Garam masala powder ( Click here for uses of Garam masala powder)

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS

⇒Fresh coriander leaves

⇒A handful of dry fenugreek leaves ( click here to read what are feugreek leaves )

⇒ Chaat masala powder ( What is chaat masala and uses here)

SUBSTITUTE INGREDIENTS

⇒ Substitute for cannellini beans – Use any other type of white beans (Other beans option in the FAQ section)

⇒ Substitute for gramflour – Use rice flour, plain wheat flour or fresh chickpeas ( other options in the FAQ section)

Cooking Steps With Images

STEP 1

Put the can of cannellini beans, spinach, garlic, spices and salt in a hand blender and blend into a coarse paste.

STEP 2

Take the mixture out into a large mixing bowl. Add the gram flour to the beans mixture and mix it well to incorporate the flour with the beans and spinach mix. Add water to reach to a drop consistency . Not too thick and not to thin.

Add lemon juice, about 4 tsp of oil, handful of fresh coriander leaves to the beans and spinach mixture and mix well.

STEP 3

Heat 4-5 tbsp of oil in a flat pan. Once the oil is warm scoop a large spoon and drop it in the oil. Cook on one side until light brown in colour and then flip to the other side.

STEP 4

Fry the fritters in batches until golden brown on both side. Drain on a kitchen towel , sprinkle with some chaat masala powder and serve hot with ketchup, taramind chutney or mint chutney.

Cooking Tips and FAQ’s

Below are few tips to keep in mind when making these gluten-free beans fritters at home.

1. Drain the cannellini beans well and maybe even wash them in cold water before grinding them.
2. If you are using frozen spinach, drain the excess water out.
3. Take note of the consistency of the mixture before adding water to it.
4. Do not rush to flip the fritters as raw batter or mixture will stick to the pan. Only flip after 4-5 minutes into frying the raw side.
5. You can also add freshly chopped green chillies for added flavour.

Where can I buy Gramflour or chickpeas flour from?

These days you can find chickpeas flour from the gluten-free section of a super market or in any gluten-free shop.

You can also buy gramflour from any Indian grocery store.

What can I substitute gramflour with?

If you are unable to find chickpea flour, you can use rice flour as the other gluten free option.

You can also use a mix of canned chickpeas and cannellini beans and add few tablespoons of corn flour (corn starch as binding)

Other gluten options are plain white flour.

Can I use any other type of beans for making cannellini beans fritters ?

Yes, you can replace white kidney beans with other types of white beans such as Great Northern Beans, black eyes beans or butter beans.

Other beans options that you can use to make bean fritters with are kidney beans, chickpeas, black beans, pinto beans, flava beans. black or brown beans to make these fritters.

I would avoid using beans that are smooth and mushy such as lima beans as they become to pasty.

Can I add any other vegetable other than spinach ?

Yes, you can add finely shredded zucchini, carrots and even corn if you wish.

What is chaat masala and why should I add it to the fritters?

Chaat masala is an Indian seasoning with a tangy taste. Adding a few sprinkles of chaat masala powder to the beans frittters enhances the taste. You can skip using chaat masala if you wish.