Easy Swiss Chard Patties aka Swiss Chard Cakes or Fritters
Whether you call these Swiss chard patties or Swiss chard cakes, or Swiss chard fritters these make amazing appetizers or sides. This recipe is so simple, easy and effortless which makes moist little cakes that can be addictive. So versatile they can be served with any meal from breakfast to dinner. You can serve them on their own, as a snack or in sandwiches too.
One of my challenges with the family is leaves! Getting my kids including my husband who is the bigger kid when it comes to eating leaves. They don’t want leaves in their plates. My husband gets cheeky and says – do I have a substitute for the leaves? Often I say – who doesn’t eat leaves does not get dessert but then again – you want the kids to eat their veggies and enjoy them – food should never be a punishment.
So that’s where I have to think of how am I going to make these brats eat their greens. Don’t get me wrong – they do eat veggies well; including their broccoli and eggplant. We just don’t want leaves.
BUT – when mama adds them to their favorite patties – that’s ok!!
- Mama what inside these – the green stuff?
- Just herbs sweetie – it’s called Swiss chard
- Ah OK… bite… It is tasty, mama! I think I like it!
- That’s good, sweetie – Enjoy!!
Don’t you love that? Quiche is another one that works well when it comes to leaves. I make an amazing Crustless Swiss Chard Quiche as well as Crustless Kale Artichoke Ricotta Quiche – They love it.
Let’s talk ingredients and Substitutes (Save/Pin)
- Swiss Chard – I love Swiss Chard, but you can use spinach or kale in this recipe as well.
- Parsnip – A great way to eat those veggies you see in the supermarket but to substitute, an equal amount of potato works a treat in this recipe too.
- Parmesan – You can omit it, but it does add a sweet, nutty, salty taste to the patties.
- Cheddar – I love cheese in these patties – makes them sweet and creamy; but on a diet? Go ahead and omit it – you won’t miss it much.
- Eggs – We do need the eggs to blend the mixture, but if you prefer to make it eggless you can add 2 tbsp yogurt.
- Onions – I love using fresh veggies when possible but if you prefer you can use 1 tbsp onion powder for a quick substitute.
Parsnip? Really?
I love parsnip but I know like the celeriac it’s always been cast aside. These are healthy delicious vegetable people; use them!
Honestly, you could use potatoes in this as a substitute but if you do find parsnip or celeriac – give it a try. I promise you will enjoy them.
Parsnips do work just like potatoes and absorb any flavor you add to them, and they are very friendly veggies so they go well with Swiss chard, kale, spinach, and most leaves.
Useful Tips and Tools.
- I like to use a nonstick Fry Pan when I shallow fry patties so I use less oil.
- Use a large Bowlto mix all the leaves giving you enough space to combine things or else things keep falling out of the bowl when mixing.
- And a large Spoon is always an asset when mixing leaves.
- A flat Spatula to flip things in the fry pan helps keep the shape of the patties.
- I use the large side of the Grater when making these patties.
- Use a Chopping board andKitchen knife to chop the vegetables into small pieces.
How to Make Easy Swiss Chard Patties aka Swiss Chard Cakes or fritters (Save/Pin)
Prepare Veggies
- Clean, wash and pat dry the Swiss Chard well
- Chop into small thin strips – finely chopped works best to form into patties
- Clean, peel and grate the parsnip or potatoes (use the thick side of the grater)
- Clean and Chop onions as finely as you can
Prepare batter
- Add all ingredients in a bowl
- Starting with the Swiss chard and parsnip/potato – mix well.
- Add in the finely chopped onion and grated garlic – mix well.
- Followed by the cheeses and herbs.
- Next add in the flour, salt, and pepper – mix well
- Lastly, add the eggs – Mix well.
Cook Patties
- Add a tablespoon oil in a large frypan
- Using your hands foam small golf size balls first then flatten on the palm of your hands
- Carefully place them in the hot oiled frypan.
- You want to cook them on medium for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side.
- Keep a close eye on the heat – the veggies are raw so you want to cook them on both sides slowly without getting too brown or brunt
- Use oil as needed to help cook.
- Once done – remove them on a clean paper hand towel to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve with ketchup on the side.
Tips/Troubleshooting
- Chop the Swiss chard and parsnips finely. The food processor does a great job of chopping finely.
- If you do not want to use an egg – use a boiled mashed potato
- Like crispy edges? use a cast-iron skillet – start on high then low the temperature so it cooks evenly.
- If you like leaves these are great in sandwiches and wraps. Make extra and save them in the freezer.
- To make this gluten-free add one boiled mashed potato and a tablespoon of cornstarch to hold the patties together
Frequently asked questions
If you do not cut the Swiss chard and parsnips finely it will be too bulky to shape them into patties. You can try roughly chopping through them again. Alternatively, you can also give it a few pulses in the food processor.
yes, you can use the stems just ensure they are chopped finely so they are not too bulky when forming into patties. Stems do make it difficult to hold the shape so one boiled mashed potato works great to hold it together.
You can substitute the eggs with 1 cup of mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes do a great job of binding everything together and taste delicious too.
My kids eat these with ketchup. We often add them into our burger bread for sandwiches. I love using a side of sour cream or yogurt dip(try my yogurt dip shared with my carrot zucchini fritters)
Absolutely, try spinach, collard greens. Both work beautifully with this recipe.
There are so many of our everyday fresh produce that works great with patties, fritter or cakes. Try my
Spinach Potato Patties
Carrot Zucchini Patties
Tuna Potato Patties
Kidney Beans Swiss Chard Patties
Vegan Kidney Burgers
Leek Potato Patties
Tuna Patties
Potato Latkes or Hanuka Potato Pancakes
Minced chicken Patties
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Easy Swiss Chard Patties aka Swiss Chard Cakes
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Ingredients
- 4 cups (4 cups) Swiss chard finely chopped
- 2 cups (2 cups) Parsnip or potato finely grated
- 1/4 cup (0.5 ) Onion finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) Garlic minced
- 2 (2 ) Eggs large
- 55 grams (0.44 cups) All purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (0.25 cup) Parmesan grated
- 1/4 cup (0.25 cup) Cheddar cheese grated grated
- 1/4 cup (0.25 cup) Cilantro/parsley finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp (1 tsp) Salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) Pepper
- 1/4 cup (1.89 floz) Oil to shallow fry
Instructions
Prepare Veggies
- Clean, wash and pat dry the Swiss Chard well
- Chop into small thin strips or as desired.
- Clean, peel and grate the parsnip or potatoes (use the thick side of the grater)
- Clean and Chop onions as finely as you can
Prepare batter
- Add all ingredients in a bowl
- Starting with the Swiss chard and parsnip/potato – mix well.
- Add in the finely chopped onion and grated garlic – mix well.
- Followed by the cheeses and herbs.
- Next add in the flour, salt, and pepper – mix well.
- Lastly, add the eggs – Mix well.
Cook Patties
- Add a tablespoon oil in a large fry pan
- Using your hands foam small golf size balls first then flatten on the palm of your hands
- Carefully place them in the hot oiled fry pan.
- You want to cook them on medium for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side.
- Keep a close eye on the heat – the veggies are raw so you want to cook them on both sides slowly without getting too brown or brunt
- Use oil as needed to help cook.
- Once done – remove them on a clean paper hand towel to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve with ketchup on the side.
Recipe Notes
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Nutrition Information
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Jody
Can you make these ahead and refrigerate and then warm in the oven? I’m part of this year’s garden walk in our area and everything in my garden is edible. I want to serve food that highlights some of what I’m growing and would like to serve these to guests.
Veena Azmanov
Hey Jody, Yes you can make these ahead of time and then warm them up in the oven. I do that when I make this for guests over as well. I usually don’t use the oven just make them hot on the stove top because the oven is usually occupied but I’m sure it’s just the same. I think it is a great idea to serve food made in your own garden. I wish I had such fresh produce.
Linda @ foodhuntress
I’ve never used chard very much and not sure why but I bet it would be delicious in these cakes. Good way to get kids to eat more vegetables also.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Linda.. I know what you mean. THere are some veggies that just don’t happen to make it home with me.
Daniela Anderson
I admit I don’t really use Swiss chard, I think I get so used to only using certain green leaves, that I tend to use them over and over again. But I am all for patties, they are easy to make, and make a great bite whenever you need somethig quick and yummy. A total winner!
Veena Azmanov
That is true Darniela – it’s very easy to make things we are familiar often. I tend to do the same sometimes
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
That’s a cute story. We mothers certainly do have to be creative to get stubborn eaters to eat what we know is good for them. That includes husbands!! Your recipe sounds delicious. I would eat that for a snack — of course, I love chard. I’m anxious to try out your recipe.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Marisa.. I love chard too!
Priya Srinivasan
ha ha it is the same in all the houses, my elder one is ok with greens, my lil is always a NO No! But when i mash and include it in poori or patties or pancakes, i call them hulk pancake/poori, so he happily munches off!
Love the ingredients in the patties, easy and delicious way to get some healthy meal on their plates!!!
Veena Azmanov
Oh I like the sound of that Hulk pancakes.. Must try that – might just work.. ha! Thanks Priya
Molly Kumar
Love the idea of using swiss chard in patties. I’m always looking for ways to sneak these leafy veggies in even adults meal 😉 and these would be absolutely loved.
Veena Azmanov
I think they definitely would be loved. My kids including the big one enjoys them lol
Adriana Lopez Martn
Love the use of the Swiss chard this isa great idea for a weekly meal. Easy to make and I bet this are so flavorful.
Veena Azmanov
Definitely flavorful Adriana. Thanks
Karen
These remind me of Irish colcannon cakes! They do sound delicious!
Veena Azmanov
Yes, Karen so similar. I do make Colcannon cakes too – mashed potato with lots of greens. These have no potato but a similar concept for sure
Maren
These look fantastic ! What a great way to use parsnip instead of potato. I bet the cheddar makes them taste amazing
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely Maren. I love using parsnip when I can – adds more than just starch like potato. Definitely taste more amazing with the cheese
Noel Lizotte
LOL @ having to be so sneaky to get the family to eat green things. and I’m really LOLing that you call it “leaves” I thought my kids were the only ones who did that?!
Veena Azmanov
Ha Noel I try to get by with the word herbs but the big large leaves on the table when cooking makes the kids cream – mama what leaves are these? But once it’s done they seem to forget lol
Camilla
These patties look so crispy and delicious and packed full of nutritious veggies, I would love to try them:-)
Veena Azmanov
Definitely packed full of nutritious veggies Camilla
Hanady | Recipe Nomad
Oh these Swiss Chard Patties look absolutely divine! Can’t wait to give them a try! Thanks for the clear instructions!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Hanady – Happy to hear you like the instructions.
Catherine
These sound so tasty and delicious! Such a great way to get in those veggies…I know I would love these!
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely Catherine.. Works a treat too
Stephanie
My littlest one is not a fan of veggies right now. I bet I could get him to eat these though!
Veena Azmanov
I know my son hates leaves but he enjoys these so much
Renz
These look delicious. With a little spicy dipping sauce I would probably go through all in one sitting.
Veena Azmanov
ha – I hear ya.. Thanks Renz
Pam
These sound delicious. THEY Are packed with healthy veggies but they also sound like they are creamy and don’t feel like rabbit food. I love vegetables and prefer them to meat, but sometimes they’re just not filling. That would not be a problem with these Swiss chard patties.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Pam. Yes, these are healthy and packed with vegges. The cheese does add a nice creaminess to them too.