Zucchini Fritters
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Zucchini fritters are a light and crispy side dish made with zucchini, cornmeal, parmesan and seasonings, perfect for summer!
This zucchini fritter recipe is perfect for using up the last of that garden zucchini! We like to serve these with Dr. Pepper pulled pork, Instant Pot corn on the cob, and oatmeal cream pies for dessert!
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Zucchini Fritters
Zucchini Fritters
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 Crispy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside.
📌 Use them as a side dish or as appetizers at your next BBQ
📌 The perfect way to use up all that zucchini in your garden.
Zucchini Fritter Ingredients
- Zucchini – peeled and shredded.
- Salt – Kosher salt.
- Flour – All purpose flour.
- Cornmeal – Yellow cornmeal.
- Sugar – White granulated.
- Baking powder – Not baking soda.
- Seasonings – Seasoned salt, black pepper.
- Eggs – Lightly beaten.
- Milk – Whole milk works best for this recipe.
- Parmesan cheese – Grated parmesan.
- Green onions – Sliced.
- Oil – Vegetable oil or canola oil for frying.
How do you make zucchini fritters? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, sprinkle the zucchini with the salt and toss to combine. Let sit to allow the salt to draw the moisture out. Squeeze the zucchini in a tea towel or paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
⭐ Next, in a large bowl, mix the zucchini with flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, seasoned salt and black pepper. Stir in the eggs and milk to form a batter. Mix in the parmesan and green onions.
⭐ Then, heat the oil in a heavy duty skillet over medium heat. Drop the zucchini batter into the hot oil and carefully flatten and spread into a circular shape.
⭐ Finally, cook fritters, flipping halfway through, until golden brown. Remove from the skillet to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Why do I need to squeeze the liquid out of the zucchini?
Zucchini naturally contains a lot of water. This extra moisture will cause the fritters to fall apart and not hold their shape. Make sure to squeeze as much liquid out of the zucchini as you can before mixing into the fritter batter.
How do I squeeze the moisture out of the zucchini?
The easiest way is to use a tea towel. Wrap the zucchini up into a tea towel and squeeze the moisture out over the sink or a bowl. You will be surprised at how much liquid you can remove!
Another method is to press down on the zucchini firmly with paper towels, soaking up as much moisture as possible. You’ll probably go through several paper towels using this method.
How hot does my oil need to be?
We recommend heating the oil over medium to medium high heat. The oil needs to be hot enough to get the outside crispy but not too hot that it burns the outside leaving the center uncooked. If you have a thermometer that can check the oil temperature, 350°F should be about perfect.
Storage and leftovers
How long do zucchini fritters last?
Store your leftover zucchini fritters in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat in the oven, on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Can I freeze zucchini fritters?
Yes, let them cool completely, put them in an airtight container and place between layers of parchment paper so they don’t stick together. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Tips and tricks
✅ Tips to prevent your zucchini fritters from falling apart:
✅ Make sure there is no excess moisture in the zucchini before adding to the batter. Extra moisture can cause fritters to fall apart when frying.
✅ Don’t make them too large. Zucchini fritters that are too big might not cook all the way through and will most likely fall apart.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make zucchini fritters gluten-free?
Yes, you can make gluten-free zucchini fritters by using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular all-purpose flour. Make sure to check that the cornmeal you use is also gluten-free.
Can I bake zucchini fritters instead of frying them?
While the traditional method involves frying the zucchini fritters, you can experiment with baking them for a healthier alternative. Preheat your oven to around 400°F, drop spoonfuls of the batter onto a greased baking sheet, and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
What to enjoy with your crispy zucchini fritters (serving suggestions)
These are a great side dish and an even better appetizer! We like to serve them with Cheez-it chicken, parmesan roasted potatoes, and Hostess cupcakes for dessert. Also, make sure to try our corn fritters!
More great zucchini recipes
Other great sides
- Tortellini alfredo
- Parmesan roasted potatoes
- Jalapeno cheddar biscuits
- Baked rice
- Garlic bread
- See all our easy side dishes!
Tools we love
- Enameled cast iron – Perfect for these delicious one-pot meals. From stove top to oven!
- Metal spatula – Perfect for flipping those fritters!
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How to Make Zucchini Fritters
Zucchini Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 pound zucchini peeled and shredded (about 2 small zucchinis)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- ⅔ cup whole milk
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sliced green onions
- vegetable or canola oil
Instructions
- Sprinkle the zucchini with the salt and toss to combine. Let sit for about 10 minutes to allow the salt to draw out the moisture. Squeeze the zucchini to remove as much moisture as you can.
- In a large bowl, mix the zucchini with the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, seasoned salt and black pepper.
- Stir in the eggs and the milk to form a batter, then mix in the grated parmesan and the green onions.
- Heat about a half inch worth of vegetable or canola oil in a heavy duty skillet to about 350℉.
- Drop about 3 tablespoons worth of batter into the hot oil, and carefully flatten and spread into a circular shape.
- Cook about 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove from the skillet to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
Notes
Nutrition
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I love how crispy these are on the outside, and their flavor is fantastic. I served them with sour cream. It was delicious.
This is my favorite way to use up fresh garden zucchini. A great way to get the whole family to eat their veggies.
These were delicious! Such a good side dish or appetizer! Even the kids enjoyed them!
This was sooooo darn tasty. It disappeared almost as fast as I could make it, haha!
I made the Zucchini Fritters for dinner, and they were fantastic! The flavor was great, and they were easy to make. It’s a new favorite in our house.