What To Serve With Spam Fritters: 8 Awesome Sides!
Craving a spam fritter (or two), but not quite sure what to serve them with? I’m here to help!
These cult classics are made by encasing pork luncheon meat in a beer batter and deep frying until they’re golden and crispy, and they’re often found on the menu in traditional British chippies.
If you’re planning to make your own at home, or you’ve picked up a prepackaged variety at the supermarket but you’re not quite sure what to do with them, you’re in the right place.
We’re going to take a look at the best side dishes and serving ideas for spam fritters…
What to serve with spam fritters
You can turn spam fritters into a tasty meal by serving them with chippy style chips, mushy peas, baked beans, creamy mashed potatoes, deep fried Mars Bars, fried eggs and hot sauce, burger buns, or fried rice.
Depending on the vibe you’re going for, any of these of accompaniments can take a humble spam fritter and turn it into a satisfying meal. Let’s take a look at the best and easiest to follow recipes that will have you well on your way to a delicious spam fest…
1. Homemade chippy style chips
If you live in the UK, you’ll almost definitely be aware that spam fritters are a staple in fish and chip shops right across the land. Recreate that chippy experience at home by making a batch of homemade chips to serve with your fritters.
Add plenty of salt and vinegar, maybe a dollop of tomato ketchup, and you’re good to go.
If you’re keen to keep things a little lighter, check out my recipe for homemade chips. These are baked in the oven or the air fryer, but they taste just as good as traditional chip shop chips!
2. Mushy peas
Another chip shop staple, mushy peas are a brilliant option for what to serve with spam fritters.
Even though it’s a side that feels like comfort food, they’re actually pretty good for you. Even the tinned variety brings assorted essential vitamins and minerals to the table, adding some goodness and a little bit of balance to your plate.
If you want to make things a tiny bit more sophisticated and you want to go further than just opening a tin, try out this recipe for mushy peas. The subtle mint and lemon flavours add extra dimension, and you’ll only need a handful of ingredients. Just remember that you’ll need to soak the peas overnight!
(By the way, if you love making your own chippy style dinners, get some more ideas over in my guide to what to serve with fish cakes!)
3. Baked beans
Baked beans are perfect for serving with spam fritters, and that deliciously sweet tomatoey sauce is so delicious when poured over the fritters!
Alternatively, serve your beans in a little ramekin on the plate, and encourage everyone to dip in. This is a great choice if you’ve got fussy eaters who don’t like everything touching when you serve up.
Cracking open a tin is a good enough choice for a busy evening after a long day at work, but if you have a bit more time on your hands, you might want to try making your own. These healthy baked beans are full of goodness and deliver three of your five-a-day.
4. Creamy mashed potatoes
Spam fritters and mashed potatoes is such a simple yet comforting meal, and it’s perfect for the colder months and when you’re in the mood for something that feels like a hug on a plate.
For the perfect mash every time, go for Yukon Gold potatoes if you can get hold of them. They have a high starch content and a naturally buttery flavour.
Add a knob of salted butter, a swirl of cream, or even some roasted garlic if you’re feeling a little fancy.
5. Deep fried Mars Bars
Deep fried Mars Bars originated in Scottish chip shops as a bit of a novelty offering, and though they are of course the antithesis of healthy, they’ve become something of a cultural icon! There’s been many a dispute around where exactly in Scotland the delicacy was first created, though it’s thought to have been around since the 1980s or early 1990s.
If you really want to run with the deep fried theme and fancy having a go at this decadent treat, you can make your own deep fried Mars Bar at home.
Of course, this would ideally be served as a dessert for your spam fritters as opposed to being a side dish served on the same plate. Add a dollop of vanilla ice cream and a fresh strawberry to bring a bit of colour to your after dinner treat.
6. Fried eggs and hot sauce
Okay, let’s move on to consider how you might turn a humble spam fritter into a breakfast champion! Maybe you’ve got a couple left over from dinner the night before, or maybe you’re just eager to get creative first thing on a morning.
Fried eggs and a generous dash of your favourite hot sauce is the perfect side dish for spam fritters, and it’ll definitely keep you full and satisfied until well past lunchtime.
As a side note, there are tons of different ways that you can enjoy spam fritters at breakfast time. Add them to a traditional full English in place of (or as well as) bacon or sausage, create a yummy potato hash to serve alongside, or stuff it in a sandwich with a few fried eggs and some tomato sauce. These dishes are the perfect hangover cures when you’re craving something savoury, salty, and satisfying.
7. Burger buns
Take your spam fritters to a whole new level by making them the star of the show at your next burger night. Use them instead of your usual beef patties, and go to town with the extras, if you like.
My personal favourite addition to a spamburger is a pineapple ring and a slice of cheese. It makes for a fun meal with some Hawaiian vibes, and the sweetness of the fruit works so well with the saltiness of your fritter.
8. Fried rice
Channel some Asian vibes by making up a big dish of fried rice when you’re not sure what to serve with spam fritters. The beauty of this choice is that you can make it your own, and tailor it according to the ingredients you’ve got in your pantry, and of course your own personal tastes.
Keep it simple by wok frying cooked rice with chopped veggies like peppers, onions, and mushrooms, throw in an egg, and add a good few splashes of soy sauce to create more depth of flavour.
Alternatively, aim for a slightly more authentic Korean style rice by adding kimchi, Korean pepper paste, sesame oil, and top with a fried egg. Go a step further and add toasted peanuts and dried chillis on top for extra crunch and a spicy kick of heat.
What to eat with spam fritters
Some of the best choices for what to serve with spam fritters are:
- Homemade chips
- Mushy peas
- Baked beans
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Deep fried Mars Bars (as a dessert!)
- Fried eggs and hot sauce
- Burger buns (be sure to add a fresh pineapple ring too)
- Fried rice
Leave a comment and share your ideas for how you like to enjoy your fritters. I love hearing about your meal planning wins!
