Crispy Grilled Vegetarian Lumpia with Cheese and Cauliflower: A Wholesome & Flavorful Snack Recipe

Prepare to be delighted by these incredibly flavorful and surprisingly healthy vegetarian lumpias! While the idea of a “vegetarian spring roll” might not always spark immediate excitement for everyone, one bite of these crisp rolls filled with a delicious blend of cheese, cauliflower, and aromatic spices is enough to convert even the most skeptical palate. The magic truly happens when the rich, savory cheese perfectly melts over the tender, yet still firm, cauliflower, creating an explosion of taste that’s simply irresistible. What makes these lumpias even better is that they are grilled to golden perfection instead of deep-fried, resulting in a wonderfully crispy exterior with significantly fewer calories and less fat. They make for a fantastic, guilt-free snack or an impressive appetizer for any gathering.

Why You’ll Love These Healthy Grilled Lumpias

These cheese and cauliflower lumpias are more than just a delicious dish; they offer a range of benefits that make them a standout recipe:

• A Healthier Twist: By opting for grilling instead of deep-frying, we eliminate the need for excessive oil, making these lumpias a much lighter and more nutritious option without compromising on that satisfying crunch.
• Irresistible Flavor Profile: The combination of creamy, melted cheese with the subtle earthiness of cauliflower, enhanced by a hint of cumin and other spices, creates a flavor experience that is both comforting and exotic. It’s a testament to how simple, quality ingredients can create something extraordinary.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re looking for a quick after-school snack, a sophisticated appetizer for a dinner party, or a light lunch, these vegetarian lumpias fit the bill perfectly. They’re versatile and always a crowd-pleaser.
• Easy to Prepare: Don’t be intimidated by the idea of rolling spring rolls! With a simple technique and a helpful video guide (found below), you’ll be rolling like a pro in no time.

Key Ingredients for Your Delicious Cauliflower & Cheese Lumpias

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, utilizing fresh, wholesome ingredients that come together harmoniously:

• Cauliflower: The star vegetable, providing a mild, slightly nutty base that beautifully absorbs the flavors of the cheese and spices.
• Cheese: A firm, flavorful cheese like Gouda or a cheese infused with cumin works wonders. It melts beautifully, binding the filling and adding a rich, savory depth.
• Yogurt: A touch of yogurt adds creaminess to the filling and helps to bind it together, ensuring a smooth, delightful texture.
• Cumin & Spices: Ground cumin provides an earthy warmth, complementing the cauliflower and cheese. Salt and black pepper are essential for seasoning the filling to perfection.
• Lumpia Wrappers: These thin, delicate wrappers are key to achieving that signature crispy exterior when grilled.

Mastering the Art of Lumpia Folding: A Step-by-Step Guide

Folding lumpias is often perceived as a daunting task, but with a little practice and the right guidance, it becomes quite straightforward. I’ve created a detailed video tutorial specifically to walk you through the method step-by-step. You’ll find this helpful video at the bottom of this post, demonstrating how to achieve perfectly wrapped, secure lumpias every time. The key is to keep your wrappers moist and to create a snug roll that prevents the delicious filling from escaping during grilling.

• When preparing the cauliflower, aim for an “al dente” texture. This means cooking it until it’s tender but still has a slight bite. The cauliflower will continue to cook a little further when grilled inside the wrapper, so starting with al dente ensures it doesn’t become mushy.
• The choice to use a grill pan over a deep fryer is a game-changer for this recipe. It allows you to achieve a wonderfully crispy outside without needing any oil, making these lumpias a much lighter and healthier option. The grill marks also add an appealing visual touch!
• For an exquisite dipping experience, these lumpias are absolutely divine with a homemade honey-mustard-dill sauce. Simply mix honey, mustard, and fresh dill in a 1:1:1 ratio for a balanced and flavorful accompaniment.

📖 Recipe: Grilled Cheese and Cauliflower Lumpias

VIDEO GUIDE

How to roll a lumpia

Watch this video on YouTube for rolling instructions.

RECIPE CARD

Lumpia with Cheese and Cauliflower

Andréa

These vegetarian lumpias with cheese and cauliflower are a personal favorite. The delightful combination of melted cheese over tender cauliflower, seasoned with fragrant spices, creates a truly unforgettable taste. Grilled to crispy perfection, these lumpias make a superb and satisfying snack or a delightful appetizer for any occasion.

5 of 6 votes

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Appetizers and Snacks

Cuisine Dutch (Adapted)

Servings 20 appetizers

Calories 80 kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark while cooking

Ingredients

Cauliflower Cheese Lumpias Filling

• ▢ ½ cauliflower, cut into small florets
• ▢ 100 grams cheese , like Gouda or cheese with cumin, grated
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ▢ 2 tablespoons yogurt, plain
• ▢ 20 Lumpia wrappers
• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste

Serve with

• ▢ 100 grams Mustard dill sauce, homemade or store-bought (for homemade instructions, see tips above)

All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.

Metric – US Customary

Instructions

Preparing the Cauliflower Cheese Filling

• ▢
  Begin by thoroughly washing the cauliflower head. Carefully cut it into small, bite-sized florets, ensuring they are roughly uniform in size for even cooking.
• ▢
  Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook them until they are just al dente—tender but still retaining a slight firmness. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside to cool.
• ▢
  While the cauliflower cools, grate your chosen cheese. Fine grating helps it melt more evenly and distribute throughout the filling.
• ▢
  In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled, cooked cauliflower, grated cheese, plain yogurt, and ground cumin. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
• ▢
  Taste the filling mixture and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Remember, the cheese also adds saltiness, so season carefully.

Assembling and Grilling the Lumpias

• ▢
  To prevent your lumpia wrappers from drying out and cracking, keep them covered with a slightly damp cloth while you work. Take out one wrapper at a time.
• ▢
  Lay a lumpia wrapper flat on a clean surface. Using a pastry brush, lightly moisten the edges of the wrapper with water. This acts as a sealant. (Refer to the video for a visual demonstration of this step).
• ▢
  Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the cauliflower cheese mixture onto the lower third of the lumpia wrapper. Form it into a log shape.
• ▢
  Ensure the cauliflower filling is placed on the lower edge of the wrapper, leaving approximately 2 cm (about 0.8 inches) of border free on both the left and right sides. This space is crucial for folding.
• ▢
  First, fold the bottom edge of the wrapper up over the filling. Then, fold the left and right sides inwards by about 2 cm (0.8 inches) to enclose the filling, creating a neat parcel. Begin to roll the lumpia tightly from the bottom upwards.
• ▢
  Just before making the final roll, lightly moisten the top edge of the wrapper with a little extra water. This ensures a strong seal and prevents the lumpia from unraveling during cooking.
• ▢
  Continue to roll the lumpia until it’s a tight, cylindrical shape. Place the finished lumpia seam-side down on a plate.
• ▢
  Repeat the folding process for the remaining lumpia wrappers until all your filling is used, or you have the desired number of lumpias.
• ▢
  Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat until hot. Place the lumpias in the hot pan (you might need to do this in batches) and grill them on both sides for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they develop beautiful golden-brown grill marks and are crispy. The cheese inside should be melted and gooey.

Serving

• ▢
  Serve your crispy grilled lumpias immediately, ideally with the suggested honey-mustard-dill sauce for a perfect flavor complement. Enjoy!

Notes

• Folding Technique: Many find folding lumpias a bit challenging at first. Don’t worry, my step-by-step video (linked above and at the bottom of this post) demonstrates the method clearly to help you get perfect rolls every time.
• Cauliflower Doneness: It’s crucial to cook the cauliflower until it’s al dente (still firm with a slight bite). Overcooking will result in mushy cauliflower, which won’t hold its texture well, especially since it continues to cook slightly during grilling.
• Grilling vs. Frying: This recipe utilizes a grill pan, eliminating the need for deep-frying oil. This not only makes the lumpias healthier but also creates a uniquely crisp exterior with beautiful grill marks.
• Homemade Dipping Sauce: A delicious honey-mustard-dill sauce elevates these lumpias. To make it, simply mix equal parts honey, mustard, and fresh chopped dill. Adjust ratios to your preference for sweetness or tanginess.

Nutrition

Calories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 160mgFiber: 1gVitamin A: 55IUVitamin C: 7mgIron: 1mg

Tips for Success & Variations

• Make Ahead: You can cook the cauliflower ahead of time. Simply cook the florets until al dente in the morning, let them cool completely to room temperature, then store them, covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the lumpias.
• Cheese Varieties: While Gouda or cumin-infused cheese is recommended, feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend of your favorites. Just ensure it has good melting properties.
• Spice it Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of chili powder to the cauliflower and cheese mixture for an extra kick.
• Herbaceous Additions: Freshly chopped parsley, cilantro, or chives can add another layer of fresh flavor to the filling.
• Storage of Uncooked Lumpias: If you’re preparing a large batch, you can assemble the lumpias and store them uncooked, tightly wrapped in plastic film, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Grill just before serving.

Storage and Reheating

• Storing Cooked Lumpias: If you happen to have any leftover lumpias (which is rare!), wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for up to two days.
• Reheating: To rewarm leftover lumpias, simply place them in a preheated grill pan over medium heat. Grill on both sides until heated through and crispy again. Avoid the microwave, as it will make them soggy.
• Freezing Not Recommended: Unfortunately, these lumpias do not freeze well. The cauliflower tends to become mushy and watery after thawing, significantly impacting the texture and flavor. It’s best to enjoy them fresh or within a couple of days from the refrigerator.

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Keyword vegetarian lumpia, cheese and cauliflower spring rolls, grilled lumpia, healthy snack, appetizer, easy lumpia recipe

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