
Cauliflower Pancakes (Torrejas de Coliflor)...
I want to first clarify the name for this post. I grew up calling these Cauliflower Pancakes, but in Peru, they are called Torrejas de Coliflor, which translates to Fritters of Cauliflower literally or Cauliflower Fritters. No matter what you call them, they are delicious.
My Mom would whip up these pancakes for us and we would eat them up as fast as they were made. She would serve them with rice and that made the meal.

Beautiful head of cauliflower...
First, you need to find a beautiful head of white cauliflower.

Cauliflower florets...
Cut the cauliflower into florets. Place into a large pot and cover with enough water to just cover. Add a generous pinch of salt into the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Continue to boil for about 10 minutes. Since the cauliflower is going to be mashed, you want it to be tender. Remove from heat and drain. Shake the colander to get all the water out. We don't want any added water so shake well.

Diced onion...
You will need an onion diced up. To this day I cannot dice an onion like my Mom. When she is cooking, I swear she calls us into the kitchen just when she is about to chop something so she can do her best impression of a Japanese Master Chef with mad cutting skills. And it’s so obvious she is waiting for a look of awe or a complementary remark of how her knife cutting skills are so amazing. Especially because she can look at you and hold a conversation while chopping and dicing. Sometimes I just stare into her eyes refusing to submit to her and she stares back and a slight grin forms on her face because she knows how jealous I am. Finally I break down and submit. I don't know how she does it. I can't do it - I'll come right out and admit that.
When discussing this recipe with my Tío Joe, he told me my grandmother used to sauté the onions. I never have. I asked my Mom and she confirmed that was how she made them as well. Well, the first time I made these for my husband, Bill - then boyfriend - not only did I not sauté the onions...I forgot to precook the cauliflower. I knew the ingredients of the recipe but obviously I didn't know the steps. I cut the cauliflower into little pieces and mixed everything together. I made the pancakes and served them to Bill. Told him he was in for a real treat. He smiled and took a bite and immediately his face changed. It sounded like he was chewing brittle. A lightbulb went off in my head and I started cracking up. I called my Mom and she started cracking up.
"How could you not know to first cook the cauliflower, Natalie!?"
"I don't know, Mom. I knew something was wrong!" Hahaha, poor Bill. He ate them anyways. That's when I knew he was special.
I still don't sauté the onions. I dice them up small and the heat from the cauliflower softens them up.
Preheat oven to 250 degrees to keep the pancakes warm.
Then add the onions and stir. The heat from the cauliflower will soften the onions.
Stir in the egg yolks, parsley, salt, and pepper. Add in flour. Stir it all up just until combined.

Whip egg whites to soft peaks...
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold them into the cauliflower mixture.
Grab your nonstick skillet and add in enough oil to coat bottom. Heat it up over medium high heat until it just starts to show those little ripples.

Spoon in batter to hot oil to form a 4 inch pancake...
For each pancake, spoon in enough batter to form a 4 inch pancake. Cook each pancake for about 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter.

Fry until golden brown...
Place pancakes on a paper towel lined baking sheet and put in oven until all the pancakes are cooked.

Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower about 2 pounds, trimmed and cut into florets
- ½ cup onion preferably sweet, diced
- 2 large eggs separated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup flour
- vegetable, or safflower oil
Instructions
- Place cauliflower in a large saucepan and add just enough water to cover. Add a good pinch of salt to the water. Bring water to a boil over high heat and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes, or until cauliflower is tender.
- Using a colander, thoroughly drain the water from the cauliflower. Transfer to large bowl and using a fork or potato masher, mash up the cauliflower.
- Stir in the diced onion while cauliflower still hot to soften onion.
- Add in egg yolks, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle in flour and stir until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites until soft peaks form.
- Fold into cauliflower mixture.
- In a large nonstick skillet, add enough oil to cover bottom of skillet and place over medium high heat.
- When the oil starts to ripple, spoon in enough batter to form a pancake about 3 - 4 inches in diameter.
- Cook until golden brown and set - about 3 minutes per side.
- Transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper towels and place in oven to keep warm.
- Continue with remaining batter.
- Serve with rice.
Nutritional Information
I don't post the nutritional value because I don't trust the accuracy of the nutritional apps. I’m not a nutritionist and don't want to post misinformation.
Tresa Lovejoy
I eat a lot of cauliflower on my low carb diet. These look so good. I will have to substitute the flour with a low carb version but can't wait to serve them for dinner!
Natalie
Yes they are very good and my family loves them. You shouldn't have a problem substituting the flour. Let me know how they turn out. 🙂
Linda
Hi Natalie, I came across this recipe a few days ago and decided to try them out, and the end results were great! The flavor and texture were delicious, and I loved how the crispiness paired nicely with the inside of the pancake. I would have never thought of making cauliflower pancakes, but now that I have had them I am certainly making them again. Great job!