Crispy Zucchini Fritters Recipe - Evolving Table (2024)

Crispy Zucchini Fritters are a healthy and delightful appetizer or side! Combine grated zucchini with Parmesan cheese and garlic, lightly pan-fry them, and then bake them in the oven. This quick and easy gluten-free and vegetarian dish is delicious with your favorite creamy sauce.

It’s zucchini season!!

Home gardens are thriving, and grocery stores are fully stocked. However you get them, zucchini is a versatile ingredient that livens up any dish.

As you may already know, Summer is when they’re abundantly available. And if you grow them yourself, you need a million ways to use them up.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread, Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups, Baked Zucchini Fries, and Air Fryer Zucchini Chips are on regular rotation this time of year in our house.

But the most addicting recipe using the Summer squash? Zucchini Fritters!

They’re perfectly crispy, have the best flavor, and are easy to make.

Fritters are excellent as a family friendly snack, appetizer, or side dish.

And why not enhance the deliciousness with a dip like sour cream, Sriracha Mayo, or even Special Sauce!

Ingredients

The simple ingredients needed to make zucchini fritters include:

• Zucchini. Well, obvi!You can either buy from your local grocery store, farmers market, or grow your own in a garden. Substituting the zucchini with squash is not recommended since they have a slightly different texture and moisture content.
• Flour. All-purpose flour is simple and creates the perfect consistency. You can substitute a gluten-free 1-to-1 or a Paleo flour if you prefer.
• Salt. This is an important ingredient for a reason other than flavor. It actually helps the zucchini release excess moisture so they come out super crispy, and not soggy.
• Parmesan Cheese. Not only does the Parmesan cheese give a yummy, cheesy flavor, but it also helps the fritters to stay together. A dairy-free Parmesan may be substituted.
• Egg. One LARGE egg, not extra-large or medium, is used in this recipe. The egg helps to bind the fritters so they do not fall apart while cooking.
• Garlic cloves. Fresh minced garlic cloves are best, but you can substitute with ½ teaspoon of garlic powder if that is what you have.

How to Make Zucchini Fritters

Making these fritters is a similar process to making Corn Fritters and even Crab Cakes. The basic steps to make this great recipe are easy to follow:

Grate the Zucchini

You have two options to choose from when grating zucchini for this recipe:

The best option is to use a large food processor with a grating attachment. This is relatively quick, easy, and comes out with uniform pieces.

Trim the ends off and then cut each zucchini lengthwise into 4 spears. Add spears to a large food processor and push through until grated. Repeat with remaining spears.

Or, use a boxed grater. This works but is not ideal. It takes a bit longer and the zucchini tends to be more mushy than grated.

Strain Zucchini

Once you have the zucchini grated, the next step is to get rid of the excess moisture. Too much moisture will result in soggy instead of crispy fritters.

Lay grated vegetables out in a single layer or place in a colander and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Place grated zucchini in a cheesecloth or a thin dish towel and strain until all of the moisture comes out.

Make Patties

In a large bowl combine grated zucchini, flour, cheese, egg, garlic, and black pepper. Stir until well combined. The batter will be thick and chunky.

Make 8 equally-sized balls that are each about 2-3 tablespoons.

Fry in a Skillet

Warm a skillet over medium high heat. You will likely need to cook the fritters in more than one batch.

Add 1 tablespoon of oil and 4 balls of zucchini mixture to a large skillet. Smash the zucchini balls with the back of a spatula. Spread them out to around 2 ½ – 3 inches in diameter and about ½-inch thick.

Cook until golden brown. Flip after 2 to 3 minutes so both sides are equally seared. Repeat with the remaining four zucchini balls.

Bake in the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350℉.

Return all zucchini fritters to the skillet. Place it in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes.

Expert Tip: A cast iron skillet is key in getting that crispy exterior and is the best skillet to use.However, a ceramic-coated skillet also works well.

Serve Them Up

Now that you have your zucchini fritters ready to enjoy, it’s time to serve them up! There are many options when it comes to dipping sauces.

Serve these shredded zucchini fritters simply with a side of sour cream or Greek yogurt, either diary-free or regular. Or make one of these easy homemade sauces:

• Remoulade Sauce
• Lime Crema
• Tartar Sauce
• Sriracha Mayo
• Special Sauce
• Chick-fil-a Sauce

Meal Prep and Storage

• To Prep-Ahead: Cook the fritters completely. These zucchini fritters do not do well when mixed together ahead of time and not cooked.
• To Store: Let the cooked zucchini fritters come to room temperature. Then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• To Freeze: Arrange in a single layer and freeze for 2-3 hours. Then transfer to a freezer safe ziplock bag or container.
• To Reheat: Return the fritters to a skillet over medium heat, or pop in the air fryer until heated through.

FAQs

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Sprinkle with salt. This makes them taste great and draws out the extra moisture from the zucchini.
• Strain it real good. Use a cheesecloth to squeeze out the liquid from the veggies.
• Fry then bake. To ensure a crisp crust and fully cooked middle, sear in a skillet first and then bake.
• Save time and effort. Smash the zucchini balls into ¼-inch thick patties, then cook in a skillet for about 3 minutes per side.
• Freeze the extra. Learn how to freeze zucchini for future use!
• Change it up. If you want to get creative, add or top with green onion, use bread crumbs, panko, or almond flour in the batter, or stir in your favorite fresh herbs like dill.

What to Serve with Zucchini Fritters

These healthy fritters pair amazingly well with any of these recipes:

• Blackened Mahi Mahi
• Air Fryer Salmon
• Lemon Garlic Salmon
• Baked Garlic Parmesan Wings

More Zucchini Recipes

Have plenty of zucchini on hand? Try these other easy recipes:

• Sautéed Zucchini and Squash
• Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
• Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
• Zucchini Noodles
• Zucchini Fries
• Air Fryer Zucchini
• Zucchini Lasagna