Vegetarian Authentic Dutch Bitterballen

Delight in a vegetarian twist on a classic Dutch snack with these Vegetarian Authentic Dutch Bitterballen. Featuring a creamy mushroom-based filling infused with the comforting flavors of garlic, parsley, and nutmeg, these bite-sized delights offer the perfect balance of crispy and savory. Encased in a golden breadcrumb coating and fried to perfection, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Whether you're recreating a Dutch pub experience at home or wowing guests at your next gathering, these vegetarian bitterballen are served best with a tangy mustard dipping sauce. Simple to prepare ahead and fun to make, they bring an authentic taste of the Netherlands to your table—without any meat! Perfect as an appetizer or snack, these crispy bites will have everyone asking for seconds.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:90 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 250 grams Mushrooms
• 50 grams Unsalted butter
• 50 grams All-purpose flour
• 300 ml Vegetable broth
• 1 medium Onion
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 10 grams Parsley
• 1 tablespoon Mustard
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Nutmeg
• 150 grams Breadcrumbs
• 2 Eggs
• 500 ml Vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Finely chop the mushrooms, onion, and garlic. In a pan, melt the butter over medium heat and add the onions and garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent.

Step 2

Add the chopped mushrooms to the pan and sauté until they have released their moisture and are browned, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 3

Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed mushrooms, stirring constantly until well combined and slightly toasted, about 2 minutes.

Step 4

Gradually add the vegetable broth to the mushroom mixture, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens.

Step 5

Stir in chopped parsley, mustard, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, then remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool completely.

Step 6

Shape the cooled mixture into small balls (about the size of a walnut) and place them on a tray. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 7

Beat the eggs in a bowl and spread the breadcrumbs on a plate. Dip each ball in the egg, allowing any excess to drip off, then roll in breadcrumbs to coat evenly.

Step 8

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 180°C (350°F). Fry the bitterballen in batches until they are golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch.

Step 9

Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with mustard or your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1558.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5449.2

Total Fat 516.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 95.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 289.2g
Cholesterol 482.7mg	0%
Sodium 6176.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 207.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.0g	0%
Total Sugars 29.0g
Protein 57.1g	0%

Vitamin D 82IU	0%
Calcium 277.3mg	0%
Iron 14.8mg	0%
Potassium 2226.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 81.5%

Protein: 4.0%

Carbs: 14.5%