Swap Burger Buns For A Cheesy 3-Ingredient Alternative (With Hidden Veggies)

There is no food more satisfying than a burger picked up with both hands, but sometimes a bland bread roll is the least exciting part of the whole affair. And that's where vegetable fritter buns come in — crispy on the outside, cheesy and tender on the inside. It's a simple enough base: shredded vegetables, cheese and an egg to bind, whipped up and fried until crispy. And you can use any vegetables you like, things like zucchini, carrots, or sweet potato work really well — once fried up into golden patties they will act as an edible holder for whatever you're stacking inside. It's all about the texture swap here, fritter buns deliver crunch and built-in cheesiness with every bite, a ridiculously low effort swap for a big payoff which makes it one of many burger bun swaps you need to try.

There are a few small details that make the difference between fritters that collapse in your hands and fritters that can actually hold a burger in place. First, squeeze out as much water as possible from grated vegetables — especially if you're using zucchini, which is full of water. Wrap the grated veggies in a clean towel or cheese cloth and then give it a big twist and let as much of the excess liquid as possible pour out. This step is crucial to avoid soggy fritters, so do not skip it. And using a box grater to grate the vegetables up small will save you loads of time here; it's a fantastic way to use your grater that pays off in texture for your meal.

Once you've nailed the basic fritter recipe, why not experiment with some of your favorite vegetables here, as it'll be a great way to sneak extra veggies in. Sweet potato is a great one, adding a natural sweetness, whilst riced cauliflower is much more bland and will let the fillings have their moment. Sweetcorn mixed into a fritter batter is always a good idea, as it brings bring a fun texture and pops of flavor, whereas roasted peppers minced and thrown in will add some smoky depth. And then of course, pair the fritter bun with fillings that complement the crispy exterior, like veggie burgers topped with guacamole or a classic beef patty with gooey cheese and homemade burger sauce.

And don't forget to season your veggie fritter buns too — just a sprinkle of sea salt and some garlic powder will make all the difference. The fritter buns don't need to be perfect circles. Let their rustic shape work as part of the charm. Just as long as they're crispy they'll get the job done fine. These are not bread impersonators, they're their own thing entirely — and if you ask us, they're way more fun than another boring sesame bun.