Zucchini Fritters

Fritelle di zucchini also known as this Zucchini Fritters are a staple in our home during the summer months. If you have an abundance of zucchini, this is the best way to use them up. Zucchini fritters are so straightforward to make and only take a few minutes of prep time. They’re so light and cheesy that you’ll never be able to just eat one! If you live anywhere around the Mediterranean you know that recipes like this one are in every home.

These fritters take 2 minutes to prep, and seconds to devour. We suggest you double or even triple this Zucchini Fritters because once you try them, you will regret that you didn’t make more. Feel free to use any yogurt dip, or our tzatziki recipe to dip these in, or enjoy them on their own.

What stands out

This Zucchini Fritters are the best way to use up all those garden zucchini during the summer. They come together in no time at all, and cook up even quicker. By squeezing out all the water from the grated zucchini you’ll get the fluffiest lightest fritter everyone will go nuts for. Make them for a quick lunch, a straightforward side dish or for breakfast with a fried egg.

How to Prepare Zucchini Fritters

Start by using a box grater to grate your zucchini.

Then, place the zucchini into a nut milk bag or cheesecloth (or use your clean hands) and squeeze out as much water as you can.

In a separate bowl crack two eggs, add the cheese salt grated zucchini, and flour. Stir it well until fully combined.

Now, place a skillet with olive oil on the stove over medium-high heat for a few minutes.

Once the oil heats up and shimmers, turn the heat down to medium.

Using a 1/4 cup measure or spoon, scoop 1/4 cup of the zucchini mixture into the pan, making sure there’s space in between each fritter.

Let them cook for a few minutes, flipping over once the bottom and the edges get golden. Cook for another couple of minutes.

Lay each zucchini fritter onto a plate lined with paper towel and continue to fry the rest, adding a bit more oil if the pan is too dry.

Enjoy with sour cream, yogurt dip, ranch, or on their own.

Kitchen tip

Make sure your fritters are light and fluffy by removing as much moisture as possible from the grated zucchini. We like to squeeze the zucchini by hand, using cheesecloth a nut milk bag or even a clean kitchen cloth.

Swaps

1. Instead of Parmesan cheese, you can use any low-moisture cheese, such as pecorino Romano, grated Manchego, or gruyere.
2. Add any fresh herbs you love to this Zucchini Fritters such basil, parsley, oregano, or dill.
3. Make these Zucchini Ricotta Fritters gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour.

Serve it with

• A big, fresh salad like our Wedge Salad or Simple Green Salad.
• Try this Zucchini Fritters topped with a poached or fried egg.
• A creamy yogurt-based dip, like a garlic sauce or our Tzatziki would be!

Questions

What cheese can we use instead of parmesan?

Instead of Parmesan cheese, you can use any low-moisture cheese, such as pecorino Romano, grated Manchego, or gruyere. You can also use your favorite non-dairy Parmesan substitute.

What else can we add to these fritters?

Add any fresh herbs to this Zucchini Fritters such basil, parsley, oregano, or dill. Finely minced garlic or chives would be, too.

can we freeze these fritters?

Yes, you certainly can freeze these fritters Once the fritters are at room temperature, place them in a single layer on a lined mark baking sheet. Freeze for a few hours until firm and transfer into a freezer bag with the date written on them as they are good frozen up to three months. To reheat, place the frozen fritters on a lined baking sheet in a 350F (180C) oven until heated through.

can this Zucchini Fritters be made gluten-free?

Yes, you can certainly make these gluten-free by using gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour.

how can we avoid dense zucchini fritters?

Make sure your fritters are light and fluffy by removing as much moisture as possible from the grated zucchini. We like to squeeze the zucchini by hand either in a mark cheesecloth, a nut milk bag, a clean kitchen cloth or even in a strainer with something heavy on top and a bowl underneath.

How did you make this simple yogurt dip for this Zucchini Fritters?

For the yogurt dip, we mixed 1/4 cup of plain yogurt, with a touch dry or fresh dill, salt to taste, a teaspoon of olive oil, and a splash of lemon juice. Feel free to make any you like and measure with your heart. You can use sour cream or make a ranch dressing too.

Ingredients

Makes 2 servings

• 2 cups grated zucchini, squeeze out the water
• 2 medium eggs
• ½ cup grated good quality parmigiano reggiano cheese, or pecorino
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour, or gluten-free flour
• ¼ cup olive oil, for frying

Equipment

• Box Grater
• Nakiri Knife
• Cutting Board
• Mixing Bowls
• Redmond Real Salt
• Ceramic Pans
• Measuring Cups + Spoons
• Cheesecloth
• Liquid Measuring Cup

Method

1. Wash, dry the zucchini, and grate it. We used 2 small zucchini’s for this recipe which yielded 2 cups for us. Place the zucchini into a nut milk bag or cheesecloth (or use your hands) and strain out as much water as you can. You can save the zucchini water for smoothies if you wish.
2. In a separate bowl, crack two eggs, add the cheese, salt, grated zucchini, and flour. Stir it really well until fully combined. Head over to the stove and place a skillet with the olive oil on medium-high heat. Once the oil heats up and shimmers, turn the heat down to medium.
3. Scoop 1/4 cup of the zucchini mixture into the pan and make sure there’s space in between each fritter. You can also scoop the mixture into the oil with a spoon as well. We usually fry 4 at a time.
4. Let it cook for a few minutes, once you see the bottom and the edges are getting golden, flip it over and continue to fry it for a few more minutes. Lay each zucchini fritter onto a plate lined with paper towel as you continue fry the rest.
5. If you notice that there’s no oil in the pan, you can always add a touch more before you fry the second batch. We got 7 medium fritters out of this recipe but you can make them as big or as small as you wish. Enjoy with sour cream, yogurt dip, ranch, or on their own.