• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cookilicious logo

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Podcast
  • Collaborate
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Collaborate
  • Podcast
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Appetizers & Snacks » Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs

    Published: Nov 28, 2016 · Modified: Apr 4, 2020 by Priya * This post may contain affiliate links.

    Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs

    Recipe Print
    top view of Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs in a bowl with text at the top
    a bucket filled wih Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs with text at the bottom
    Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs served in a bucket with text at the top

    These incredible fried meatballs are loaded with cheese & make perfect vegan party food! Easy vegan appetizers like Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs are delicious to taste! It has flavors of India, the Middle East & the Mediterranean which makes it a great example of fusion cuisine. 

    Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs served in a bucket

    Do you throw a lot of parties?  Do you have an occasional get-together? Do you host large family brunches? Do you wonder what can vegans eat at a party? Are you looking for a variety of finger foods to cater to all dietary needs of your friends and family? If the answer is yes to most of these questions, then I have just the recipe for you!

    I have seen people fret when they have a vegan attendee and they don't know what to serve them. Catering a party for vegans is not difficult. Even if you have a family member who has decided to change their dietary preference, you need not worry about what to make for them. There are tons of vegan party food recipes here that you can make.  

    Table of Contents

    • Trending now
    • Easy Vegan appetizers
    • What's so special about this vegan appetizer recipe?
    • Steps to make Vegan Kebabs
    • Best tips to make this Cheesy Rice Fried Meatballs
    • Some easy vegan appetizers for you
    • Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs With Tater Tot Stuffing

    Trending now

    Easy Vegan appetizers

    Vegan finger foods need not be overly complicated or bland and boring to taste! They can as good and appetizing as these indulgent kebabs here! I love making easy vegan appetizers like these mainly because they are:

    Hearty
    Savory
    Extremely flavorful
    Tender on the inside
    Slightly crisp on the outside
    and of course, simply delicious

    Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs randomly placed on a tray

    What's so special about this vegan appetizer recipe?

    These Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs With Tater Tot Stuffing just scream party. Crispy and perfect on the outside, soft and delicious inside. It's loaded with interesting flavors and is a blend of many cuisines put together to create a winning appetizer which is sure to become a crowd favorite. Now, this is one super easy vegan party food for you to make not just during the holiday season. These vegan bites are so convenient to make that you can bring to birthday parties, movie nights, potlucks, or every other get-together you can think of!

    While they are hot and spicy, they also have a hint of flavor from fenugreek/methi and saffron making this dish lip-smacking and aromatic. These vegetarian kebabs have the potential to become an instant hit at our next house-party and I can assure you that they will all be gone within minutes when served. Since Kebab is mainly a popular non-vegetarian finger-food, I wanted to provide a vegan option for all my vegan readers. 

    Steps to make Vegan Kebabs

    4 image collage showing the steps to make Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs

    This fusion recipe of fried cheese balls is truly delicious and is extremely easy to prepare. Middle east style Kebabs are cooked with aromatic Indian spices along with Mediterranean flavored cheese making it an apt choice for fusion cuisine! And, as always, this recipe too is simple, requiring just basic pantry ingredients, simple methods, and takes less than an hour to prepare.

    1. In a mixing bowl grated Cheese, dried fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi), turmeric powder, paprika, and chaat masala.
    2. Then add chopped onions, minced garlic, minced jalapenos, and grated ginger,
    3. Next add chickpea flour (besan), rice flour, salt, cilantro, lemon juice, and crushed saffron.
    4. Add cooked rice. Mash and mix them all together.

    4 image colage showing the process of making Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs

    1. (5) Let it rest in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, thaw the frozen tater tots and cut them in half. 
    2. (6) Shape the rice mixture to any desired kebab shape. Place one half tater tot in the center of each kebab and shape it firmly using your hands. 
    3. (7) Grate Parmesan cheese. I have tried it with both dairy and non-dairy Parmesan. 
    4. (8) Prepare a mixture of bread crumbs, grated Parmesan and paprika.  

    4 image collage showing how to make Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs

    Heat oil for frying.

    1. (9) Prepare a mixture of flour + water and dip the kebab in the mixture. It should be of coating consistency. 
    2. (10) Then roll it over the breadcrumbs mixture. Coat it well.
    3. (11) Prepare as many vegan kebabs as you need.
    4. (12) Deep fry in oil on medium flame until it turns golden brown. Strain the excess oil using paper towels. 

    Vegan Cheesy Rice fried meatballs are ready. Serve them immediately with green chutney, mayo, queso or ketchup on the side. 

    a bucket filled wih Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs

    Best tips to make this Cheesy Rice Fried Meatballs

    You can use dairy and non-dairy cheese to make these fried meatballs. This is also a great recipe to use leftover cooked rice. Dried fenugreek leaves give this vegan finger food a very unique flavor. Although it can be found in any Indian grocery store or Amazon, you can skip adding it. Add dried herbs instead. Tater Tot stuffing makes it even more appetizing. You can use any frozen variety available to you or make it without it as well. You don't need to cook them as it will get cooked when fried in oil. 

    Mash the rice mixture well so that you can shape them into balls easily. Work with your hands for this. If it's too wet, gradually add more flour to help bind. Placing the mixture in the fridge helps to dry it up and makes it easy to work with. Give them any shape you like. You can prepare the pre-fried kebabs ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. Then you can fry and serve them as and when needed. You can shallow fry, bake or fry them in the air-fryer.

    top view of Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs in a bowl

    Some easy vegan appetizers for you

    While there are many recipes on the blog, I recommend you check these out first. 

    • Crispy Moong Dal Pakora
    • Polenta & Cilantro Savory Bites
    • Baked Bread Chutney Rolls
    • Peas & Spinach Pastry puffs

    a hand dipping one Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs into a sauce

    If you do try this Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs or any other recipe from the blog, please let me know. I welcome your comments, star ratings, tweaks, and suggestions.

    Stay connected on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious recipes and what I’m up to.

    Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs With Tater Tot Stuffing

    These incredible fried meatballs are loaded with cheese & make perfect vegan party food! Easy vegan appetizers like Cheesy Rice Vegan Kebabs are delicious to taste! It has flavors of India, the Middle East & the Mediterranean which makes it a great example of fusion cuisine. 
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine: American, Indian, Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 8 people
    Calories: 200.3kcal
    Author: Priya Lakshminarayan

    Equipment

    Frying pan

    Ingredients 

    To prepare the rice mixture

    • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese grated
    • 3 tbsp fresh/dried fenugreek leaves
    • 1 tsp turmeric powder
    • 1 tsp paprika
    • 2 tsp chaat masala
    • 1 onion finely chopped
    • 5 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 jalapenos minced
    • 1 tbsp ginger minced
    • 2 tbsp chickpea flour besan
    • 2 tbsp rice flour
    • Salt as required
    • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
    • 1 tbsp lemon juice
    • 1 tsp crushed saffron
    • 1 cup cooked rice
    • 12 nos tater tots frozen

    To make flour water

    • 1/2 cup maida
    • Water as required

    To make seasoned breadcrumbs

    • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
    • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
    • 2 tsp paprika

    To fry the vegan kebabs

    • 2 cups Oil for frying

    Instructions

    To prepare the rice mixture

    • In a mixing bowl grated Cheese, dried fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi), turmeric powder, paprika, and chaat masala.
    • Then add chopped onions, minced garlic, minced jalapenos, and grated ginger,
    • Next add chickpea flour (besan), rice flour, salt, cilantro, lemon juice, and crushed saffron.
    • Add cooked rice. Mash and mix them all together.
    • Let it rest in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, thaw the frozen tater tots and cut them in half.
    • Shape the rice mixture to any desired kebab shape. Place one half tater tot in the center of each kebab and shape it firmly using your hands.

    To make flour water

    • Prepare a mixture of flour + water and dip the kebab in the mixture. It should be of coating consistency.

    To make seasoned breadcrumbs

    • Grate Parmesan cheese. I have tried it with both dairy and non-dairy Parmesan.
    • Prepare a mixture of bread crumbs, grated Parmesan and paprika.
    • Then roll it over the breadcrumbs mixture. Coat it well.
    • Prepare as many vegan kebabs as you need.

    To fry the vegan kebabs

    • Heat oil for frying.
    • Deep fry in oil on medium flame until it turns golden brown. Strain the excess oil using paper towels.
    • Vegan Cheesy Rice fried meatballs are ready. Serve them immediately with green chutney, mayo, queso or ketchup on the side.

    Notes

    You can use dairy and non-dairy cheese to make these fried meatballs. This is also a great recipe to use leftover cooked rice. Dried fenugreek leaves give this vegan finger food a very unique flavor. Although it can be found in any Indian grocery store or Amazon, you can skip adding it. Add dried herbs instead. Tater Tot stuffing makes it even more appetizing. You can use any frozen variety available to you or make it without it as well. You don't need to cook them as it will get cooked when fried in oil. 
    Mash the rice mixture well so that you can shape them into balls easily. Work with your hands for this. If it's too wet, gradually add more flour to help bind. Placing the mixture in the fridge helps to dry it up and makes it easy to work with. Give them any shape you like. You can prepare the pre-fried kebabs ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. Then you can fry and serve them as and when needed. You can shallow fry, bake or fry them in the air-fryer.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 200.3kcal | Carbohydrates: 23.73g | Protein: 5.35g | Fat: 9.42g | Saturated Fat: 6.61g | Cholesterol: 9.54mg | Sodium: 735.09mg | Potassium: 96.42mg | Fiber: 1.21g | Sugar: 1.55g | Vitamin A: 323.52IU | Vitamin C: 6.86mg | Calcium: 108.81mg | Iron: 0.82mg
    Tried this Recipe? Share your creation by tagging me on Instagram @Cookilicious using #cookiliciousveg!
    Love watching recipe videos?Subscribe to my Cookilicious YouTube channel now to get your weekly recipe fix - Youtube

    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. For more information on my Affiliate and Advertising Policy, please click here. 

     

     

     

    « Mushroom Kalan Masala/ Mushroom Stir Fry
    2-Ingredient Coconut Macaroons - Holiday Dessert Recipe! »
    2069 shares
    GIFT FOR YOU

    Free Vegan Beginner's Guide

    Tips, recipes & secrets to transform your lifestyle.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sophie says

      April 04, 2020 at 6:38 pm

      5 stars
      Priya, these look so delicious. I found a perfect quarantine snack with leftover rice. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Priya says

        April 04, 2020 at 8:24 pm

        glad you liked it. Thank you

        Reply
    2. Anita says

      April 04, 2020 at 3:30 pm

      5 stars
      These things are delicious and super addictive. 🙂

      Reply
      • Priya says

        April 04, 2020 at 4:33 pm

        Oh yes, they are! thank you.

        Reply
    3. Mirlene says

      April 04, 2020 at 3:30 pm

      5 stars
      Oh wow, this is the ultimate appetizer, to say the least. I mean, it is the perfect option to make over the weekend!

      Reply
      • Priya says

        April 04, 2020 at 4:32 pm

        I agree with you 🙂 Thank you so much

        Reply
    4. Chris Collins says

      April 04, 2020 at 2:23 pm

      5 stars
      Okay now these are something I could totally get down with, they look delish!!!

      Reply
      • Priya says

        April 04, 2020 at 2:33 pm

        🙂 yes..Thank you

        Reply
    5. Pickett says

      December 19, 2016 at 1:41 pm

      These look delicious! My husband grew up in the middle east, I'm sure he'd love it if I made these.

      Reply
    6. Natasha @ Salt & Lavender says

      December 12, 2016 at 3:16 pm

      Oh man.. this looks like such a treat!!

      Reply
      • Priya says

        December 12, 2016 at 3:39 pm

        Thank you! It indeed is 🙂

        Reply
    7. Jess says

      December 10, 2016 at 10:27 pm

      Wow...this sounds amazing!

      Reply
    8. Teresa says

      December 07, 2016 at 11:15 am

      These look absolutely delicious, and I can see they will be a success at any party. Thank you for sharing the recipe at The Really Crafty Link Party this week. Pinned!

      Reply
    9. Miz Helen says

      December 04, 2016 at 7:15 pm

      Oh my goodness, waht a fantastic treat! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    10. Marilyn Lesniak says

      December 04, 2016 at 2:44 pm

      Thank you for sharing your delicious recipe at the #RecipeSharingParty. I look forward to what you will share next week! We hope you’ll come back again next Thursday when we open our doors at 9:00 AM EST. Pinned, Yummed, Tweeted!

      Reply
    11. Sarah @ Accidentally Crunchy says

      December 01, 2016 at 3:49 pm

      Wow, what an explosion of flavours these kebabs must pack! these pics are making me so hungry!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Rate the Recipe




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    ABOUT ME

    Every recipe here tells a story that is simple, easy to follow and has a tasty soul. Come join me in my kitchen and let me take you on a gastronomical journey. Vegetarian & vegan cooking is so much fun! Read more...

    Follow Me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    GIFT FOR YOU

    Free Vegan Beginner's Guide

    Tips, recipes & secrets to transform your lifestyle.

    SEARCH A RECIPE OR INGREDIENT

    Featured On

    Get my Cookbook

    We are on YouTube!

    New Year New You

    one big bowl of Vegan Teff Kheer Porridge with a small bowl of the same on the side

    Vegan Teff Kheer Porridge

    Instant Pot Masala Khichdi served in a platter

    Instant Pot Masala Khichdi

    a set of hands tossing Cherub Tomatoes Crouton Salad

    Cherub Tomatoes Crouton Salad

    Instant Pot Ven Pongal served in a leaf bowl with a wooden spoon in it

    Ven Pongal in Instant Pot

    2 Masala Dosa with Sweet Potato placed on a plate

    Masala Dosa with Sweet Potato

    3 bowls of Crunchy Moong Dal

    Moong Dal Namkeen

    TRENDING NOW

    a bowl filled with Veg Hakka Noodles and a fork in it

    Veg Hakka Noodles

    image of one forth platter of White Chocolate Thandai Bark served in a platter

    White Chocolate Thandai Bark Recipe

    3 glasses of Thandai Milkshake served next to a bowl of colors and rose buds

    Thandai Milkshake | Dry Fruit Milkshake

    a hand brushing Tomato Cheddar Scones with butter

    Tomato Cheddar Scones

    Dal Tadka served in a brass bucket with a spoon in it

    Dal Tadka in Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Mexican Rice served in a rectangular tray

    Instant Pot Mexican Rice

    Footer

    Stay connected

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Priya

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Cookilicious

    2.1K shares
    • 594