Air Fryer Recipe
Crispy Cheddar and Pea Fritters
Crispy cheddar and pea fritters are a delightful snack that's both healthy and easy to make, perfect for air frying.
Ingredients
- 200g frozen peas, thawed
- 100g cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
- 50g self-raising flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 spring onion, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- A pinch of chilli flakes (optional)
Method
- Mash the thawed peas in a large mixing bowl until roughly crushed.
- Add grated cheddar, egg, and self-raising flour to the peas.
- Season with salt, pepper, and chilli flakes if desired, and mix well.
- Stir in chopped spring onion and minced garlic.
- Preheat air fryer to 180°C (356°F).
- Scoop out portions of the mixture, shape into small patties, and flatten gently.
- Place fritters in the air fryer basket without touching each other.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from air fryer and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Why this works in an air fryer
Roughly crushed peas give starchy, dry surfaces for the flour and egg to bind, while cheddar melts and browns at the edges. Air-fryer convection drives off moisture quickly, so flattened patties crisp before the centre overcooks; spacing matters because trapped steam softens the crust.
Equipment notes
Assumes a 4-5 litre basket holding 6-8 small fritters in one layer. In a single-drawer air fryer, cook in batches rather than stacking; in a dual-zone model, split evenly between drawers and check 1-2 minutes early, as smaller loads often brown faster at the outer edges.
Common pitfalls
- Mixture slumps or leaks through the basket? The peas were too wet after thawing; pat them dry and add 1 extra tablespoon flour before shaping.
- Fritters look pale and soft at 10 minutes? They are too thick or crowded; flatten to about 1.5cm and leave visible gaps so steam can escape.
- Cheese is scorching before the centres set? The patties are too close to the heating element or too small; reduce to 170°C and cook 2-3 minutes longer.
- Fritters crack when turned? The first side has not set; wait until the edges look matte and browned, then turn with a thin spatula rather than tongs.
Variations & substitutions
- Swap cheddar for Red Leicester for a slightly oilier, deeper-orange crust; check early as it browns quickly.
- Use sweetcorn for up to half the peas, but drain and pat dry well because extra moisture makes the batter loosen.
- Add chopped mint or parsley at the end of mixing; herbs soften the flavour without changing the cooking time.
- Use gluten-free self-raising flour as a direct swap, but let the mixture stand for 5 minutes so it hydrates and holds together better.
Storage & reheating
Keep cooked fritters chilled for up to 3 days, then reheat in the air fryer at 180°C for 4-5 minutes until hot and crisp again.
Nutrition
Calories: 120
