Zucchini Fritters

Are you looking to add more veggies to your diet? These easy Zucchini Fritters are so yummy, you’ll forget you’re even snacking on vegetables!

stack of zucchini fritters


 

Summer is nearing, and I know that soon everyone’s gardens will be abundant with zucchini. I also know that inevitably, you will have so much that you don’t know what to do with it!

Of course, zucchini bread is always a safe bet. It’s the perfect sweet snack, and you can even enjoy a slice for breakfast.

Zucchini recipes range the whole spectrum. Turning zucchini into “zoodles” for pasta, zucchini fries or even turning them into zucchini boats like in this Grilled Turkey Zucchini Boat recipe are also options. A healthy, carb-free way to still enjoy a comfort food favorite.

platter of zucchini fritters

What Do You Need to Make Zucchini Fritters?

The recipe calls for simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand.

  • Flour – All purpose flour is what we use to bind all of these ingredients together, along with the egg.
  • Parmesan cheese – I love the flavor that parmesan gives to these crispy zucchini fritters. You can swap it out for another cheese if you’d like.
  • Egg – You want this to be lightly beaten. Always assume a recipe is calling for a large egg. It acts as the binding agent along with the flour.
  • Seasoning – I used a simple blend of garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper and maldon sea salt.
  • Zucchini – You want to make sure this is as dry as possible. Check the section below for exactly how to do that. I prefer to grate mine with a box grater. But you can also use a food processor.
  • Scallions – These are optional, but we use green onions as a garnish and they add great flavor to this zucchini fritter recipe.
  • Olive oil – This is what we use to fry the fritters.
zucchini fritters

Variations

There are plenty of was you can make these zucchini fritters your own. Here are a few suggestions.

  • Fresh herbs – To take the flavor up a notch, try adding fresh herbs like dill, parsley or basil into the mix.
  • Cheese – If you’re not a fan of parmesan, you can use something like cheddar cheese instead.
  • Citrus – Stir in some fresh lemon juice or zest or even lime to add some brightness to these fritters.
  • Use a waffle iron – Simply use the same recipe, heat up your waffle iron and sear them until crispy and lightly browned.
  • Dry Seasoning Blends– Use any bottled or homemade dried seasoning blend instead of the fried seasonings we used for unique and unusual flavor pairings. Try fajita seasoning mix or Italian seasoning mix.

How to Dry Zucchini

The key to the best zucchini fritters is making sure the zucchini is dry with as much liquid and moisture removed as possible. There are several ways to do this:

  1. The kitchen towel method. Put your shredded zucchini in the center of a clean, dry kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Gather the edges of the towel together to completely enclose the zucchini. Squeeze the towel until water stops draining out. I find that tea towels work best.
  2. The oven method. You can also dry your zucchini out in the oven. Instructions for how to do this can be found here.
  3. The French press method. If you have a French press, you can place the zucchini in the bottom, replace the top, press down and drain. Easy and genius!
Zucchini fritters with sour cream and chives

How to Make Zucchini Fritters

Making these zucchini fritters could not be easier.

  1. Mix flour, cheese, egg and seasonings. In a large bowl, combine flour, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper. Mix until just combined.
  2. Fold in zucchini and scallions. Add zucchini and scallions, fold in by hand until just combined. Do not overmix.
  3. Prepare oil and pan. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Fry. Using a tablespoon, place batter into frying pan and allow to spread and flatten. Allow to become golden brown on each side.
  5. Drain. Remove and drain on a paper towel lined plate.
close up of zucchini fritters

What to Serve with Zucchini Fritters

Fritters are perfect with a good sauce! My favorite sauces to serve zucchini fritters with are aiolis. You can go with something a little spicy like my Chipotle Aioli, or something tangy like my Lemon Herb Aioli.

If you’re a fan of the Bloomin’  Onion from Outback, a Bloomin’ Onion Sauce would also pair really nicely. Even tzatziki sauce, plain greek yogurt or sour cream would be great.

zucchini fritters with sour cream topping

Storage and Freezing

How to Store Zucchini Fritters

You can store any leftover fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should last for up to five days.

Can I Freeze Zucchini Fritters?

Yes! Freeze cooked zucchini fritters in an airtight plastic bag, removing as much air as possible. They will be good in the freezer for up to 4 months. The best way to revive them is to give them another light fry or heat them under the broiler.

A close up of a zucchini fritter

More Fritter Recipes

I love a good, crisp snack. Here are a few of our favorite crispy snacks that we know you’ll love too.

zucchini fritters for pinterest
zucchini fritters with sour cream topping

Zucchini Fritters

4.91 from 10 votes
Zucchini Fritters, also known as zucchini pancakes, are the best way to use shredded zucchini to make a delicious summer snack!
Prep Time: 6 hours
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12 pancakes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine flour, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper.
  • Mix until just combined.
  • Add zucchini and scallions, fold in by hand until just combined.
  • Do not overmix.Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Using a tablespoon, place batter into frying pan and allow to spread and flatten. Brown on each side, approximately 1-2 minutes each.
  • Remove and drain on a paper towel lined plate.
  • Sprinkle with Maldon sea salt and serve with Bloomin’ onion dipping sauce.
  • If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!

Video

Notes

See notes above regarding how to best dry out your zucchini. 

Nutrition

Calories: 56 kcal, Carbohydrates: 4 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 3 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 15 mg, Sodium: 42 mg, Potassium: 160 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 2 g, Vitamin A: 165 IU, Vitamin C: 10.4 mg, Calcium: 35 mg, Iron: 0.4 mg
Calories: 56
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: zucchini fritters, zucchini pancakes, zucchini patties
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
crispy zucchini pancakes for pinterest
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.91 from 10 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    These are by far the best Zucchini Fritters i have tried. My husband and I are a big fan of this recipe. I was looking for this recipe and found another recipe and went ahead and tried but did not like it as much. I will use this recipe from now on. Like that it has less flour then a lot of other recipes have. Thank you for these awesome Zucchini Fritters.

  2. 5 stars
    Pinning for later!! By August I have so much zucchini I don’t know what to do with it anymore – I’m going to try these!

  3. 5 stars
    Mmm. I love zucchini fritters. I love the idea of making them on a waffle iron. Oh, and all the toppings you mentioned ????????

  4. 5 stars
    too many zucchinis in the garden right now so I’ll be making a ton of fritters I think. Thanks for the extra tips.

  5. 5 stars
    My kid is such a fan of zucchini fritters. I must give your recipe a try. These fritters looks so delicious. Love the addition of scallions. Sounds perfect! Can’t wait to make this.