What’s better than plain old acorn squash? Crispy, golden acorn squash fritters!
These easy fritters take that familiar fall vegetable and turn it into something you’ll actually get excited about. They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and make a perfect side dish or appetizer. If you’ve got some acorn squash sitting on your counter and aren’t sure what to do with it, this recipe is your answer. Trust me – once you try these fritters, regular roasted squash just won’t cut it anymore.
Possible Ingredient Alternatives
Acorn squash can be replaced with butternut squash or pumpkin for similar texture and flavor. These alternatives offer comparable nutritional benefits and are widely available. Eggs can be substituted with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) for a vegan option, though this may slightly alter the texture. For a vegetarian or plant-based version, bacon and bacon drippings can be replaced with sliced mushrooms sautéed in olive oil. This substitution provides a savory umami flavor while reducing saturated fat content. Adjust cooking time as needed, as mushrooms may cook faster than bacon. These substitutions maintain the overall character of the fritters while accommodating various dietary preferences.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Total Time | 25-35 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 400-500
- Protein: 20-25 g
- Fat: 30-35 g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35 g
Ingredients
- bacon strips
- bacon drippings (or any neutral oil like avocado oil)
- 1 medium acorn squash
- 2 eggs (large)
- salt
- black pepper (freshly ground for best flavor)
Step 1: Prepare the Acorn Squash and Bacon
Start by peeling an acorn squash, removing the seeds, and grating it finely.
Set the grated squash aside.
Next, cook up a package of good quality bacon until crispy, then chop it into small pieces.
Reserve the bacon grease in the pan, as this will be used for frying the squash batter.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a large bowl, combine the grated acorn squash with two eggs, mixing until well incorporated.
If desired, stir in the chopped bacon to add an extra layer of flavor to the batter.
This step is optional, so feel free to omit it if you prefer a vegetarian option.
Step 3: Cook the Squash Patties
Heat the reserved bacon grease over medium heat.
Using about 1/4 cup of the squash batter at a time, carefully place scoops into the hot grease.
Allow the patties to crisp on the first side before flipping them gently.
Continue cooking until the other side is nicely browned and crispy.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Once the squash patties are cooked through and crisped to perfection, remove them from the pan and let them drain briefly on a paper towel if desired.
Serve alongside eggs cooked to your liking for a hearty and delicious meal.
Enjoy your savory acorn squash and bacon patties!
