Marmite Onion Fritters Recipe

By
Sydney Oland
Sydney Oland: Contributing Writer at Serious Eats
Sydney Oland lives in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, where she develops recipes and owns and operates three businesses: a bean-to-bar chocolate company, an ice cream company, and a collective food production space. Previously, she wrote brunch and British food recipe columns for Serious Eats.
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Updated April 29, 2019
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Sydney Oland

Our second week of "Marmageddon" brings you (see first week here) onion and Marmite fritters, perfect for snacking on while polishing off a few pints of beer. These fritters are a reinvention of an onion bahji, a popular appetizer throughout curry houses in the UK. Replacing the savory spices with a couple spoonfuls of Marmite and a bit of fresh thyme gives these fritters some meatiness while the underlying salt of the Marmite gives the onions a vague sweetness that compliments the Marmite perfectly.

A simple garnish of chopped parsley adds the right amount of freshness, and a final drizzle of Marmite while the fritters are still hot adds a sticky satisfying finish. If you're still learning to love Marmite just finish with parsley, and work your way up to the gooey drizzle.

Recipe Details

Marmite Onion Fritters Recipe

Active 30 mins
Total 60 mins
Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 cup (2 ounces) milk
  • 2 teaspoons Marmite, plus extra for garnish
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon (about 2 2/3 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 cups sliced sweet onion (about 2 large)
  • About 1 quart vegetable, canola, or peanut oil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

  1. Whisk together eggs, milk, Marmite, and thyme until all ingredients are fully incorporated. In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk dry ingredients into wet ingredients then toss sliced onions into batter using a spatula or your hands to gently crush the onions. Allow to sit for 30 minutes.

  2. Preheat the oven to 300[°] and place a foil lined baking sheet in the oven. In a large pot over medium high heat, heat 3 inches of oil until a piece of onion dropped in the pot sizzles (it should register about 325°F on an instant read or deep frying thermometer). Using a spatula drop approximately 1/4 cup sized fritters into the oil. Cook, turning often until the fritters are golden brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer fritters to a rack set in a rimmed baking sheet and place cooked fritters in the oven to keep warm and repeat until all the batter is used. Serve hot garnished with chopped parsley and a drizzle of Marmite if desired.

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