Enjoy your next batch of zucchini in the form of a fritter! Made with simple ingredients, zucchini parmesan fritters come together quickly. 100% kid-friendly and such a great way to get veggies in little bodies. Perfect for a light lunch main dish, dinner side or even an appetizer.
Original post: July 2019 | Updated: July 2023
Why This Recipe Works
Zucchinis are magical little veggies, aren’t they? They are so lacking in glory when they’re hanging out by themselves, but when they pair up with other ingredients? Delicious!
- These giant green vegetables taste good when baked into bread and muffins.
- Summer zucchini is also incredible when cooked simply with butter or olive oil.
- Great side dish, breakfast, snack, lunch or dinner. They are versatile!
- This recipe does not contain baking powder or bread crumbs.
- Done in 25 minutes from start to finish.
- The simplest of seasonings (salt and black pepper!) are the most delicious.
- This is a great recipe for making the most of zucchini season!
Recipe Ingredients
Zucchini – Shred the zucchini for best results (vs grating). Use the shredder on your food processor to get the shredding done quickly!
Since zucchini can vary greatly in size, measure in cups for this recipe. Aim for approximately 2 cups of zucchini.
Salting the zucchini helps to pull moisture out of it, so don’t skip this step in the beginning. Let the zucchini sit with the salt will prevent the fritters from being too watery or mushy.
Flour – Make this recipe gluten free by replacing all-purpose flour with a gluten-free variety such as almond flour.
Cheese – Replace Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses with varieties of your choice, not exceeding 1 cup total. Cheddar cheese is another great option!
How To Make Zucchini Parmesan Fritters
Step 1
Place 2 cups of shredded zucchini in a large bowl and toss with 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. Pat the zucchini dry using paper towels to gently press as much moisture out as you can out before adding the next ingredients.
Add 2 beaten eggs, 1/4 cup flour, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese to the zucchini and mix well.
Step 2
Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Scoop out heaping tablespoons of the zucchini mixture and add to the hot skillet, pressing down gently with a spatula to create a patty shape.
Cook fritters for 3-4 minutes per side, or until lightly browned on both sides. Remove them from the pan when they are a nice golden brown color.
Step 3
Transfer the zucchini cakes to a serving plate and allow them to cool for a few minutes, then serve. A drizzle of sriracha is optional but delicious!
Recipe Notes
- Because bacon makes everything yummy, fry 3 slices of bacon, chop it finely and add it to the zucchini batter prior to frying.
- A teaspoon of dill weed with the batter adds a delicious flavor that complements the cheese.
- Aioli sauce, tzatziki sauce or ranch dressing are delicious dipping sauce options.
- Add 1-2 cloves of minced garlic to the zucchini mixture for an extra punch of flavor.
- A squirt or two of lemon juice will give the fritters an extra fresh flavor.
- Toss Feta cheese crumbles over the top, just before serving, for an extra punch of deliciousness.
- Replace half of the grated zucchini with grated carrots, sweet potatoes or corn kernels to change up the flavors!
- Use a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to create consistently sized patties.
- Top with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for a creamy topping.
What Do You Use To Shred Zucchini
The easiest way to shred zucchini is to use a food processor with the shredding attachment. A blender will also work in a pinch. Keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t liquify.
Or the good ol’ box grater works wonders, if you’re ok with a little elbow grease.
How To Make Zucchini Fritters Crispy
No one wants a mushy fritter! Crispy zucchini fritters are the best.
In order to achieve perfectly crispy fritters, make sure the oil in your pan gets nice and hot. Set to medium high heat and listen for the sizzle before you add the fritter batter.
Be sure to press down slightly on the top using the back of a spatula, too!
How To Store Zucchini Fritters
Store the fritters in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can You Freeze Zucchini Fritters
Zucchini fritters can be frozen. Place in airtight containers or in a heavy duty freezer bag in a single layer. Place in the freezer for up to 3 months for best results.
Remove from the freezer and allow them to thaw completely, preferably in the fridge overnight. Reheat for a few minutes in the microwave or heat in a skillet on the stove top.
What Is A Fritter
It is funny to me that the word fritter can mean “to divide into pieces” and it’s only funny because I didn’t realize that until I decided to make a fritter recipe for you!
A fritter is typically a batter mixed with a meat or vegetable (or even fruit) and fried into a patty shape. They can be both sweet and savory.
FAQ About Zucchini
When using zucchini is baked into foods such as bread or muffins, it can be as big as a house. If you intend to use it for cooking fritters or zucchini chips or if you want to saute it or use it in any other way, 6 inches is a good size for optimal flavor. The seeds inside the zucchini will be a perfect size when it is on the smaller side, too, and it won’t be as watery. Large zucchini hold a ton of water, which isn’t ideal for many savory recipes.
When ripe, a zucchini should feel mostly firm but give a little when pressed with your fingers. The skin should appear dark green and glossy. The flesh of the zucchini should not be mushy or tough and should have a yellowish-white color.
Filled with potassium that is heart healthy, it’s also high in antioxidants like Vitamin B6 and C. It’s also great because it has zero fat and has needed fiber for your diet.
Zucchini, much like it’s cucumber cousin, is a heavy veggie due to its high water content which means limited calories! It is a flavorful vegetable and can be enjoyed both raw and cooked. Raw zucchini is firm and slightly crunchy. Cooked zucchini is softer, but still delicious.
If you have an abundance of zucchini on hand, it can be frozen for 3-4 months. Freeze whole or sliced (raw or cooked) in freezer bags.
Best Zucchini Recipes
If you love zucchini in a variety of recipes, we know you’ll love some of our favorites – check these out!
- Sauteed Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles) and Mushrooms
- Zucchini Brownies
- Zucchini Fries
- Easy Baked Spaghetti
- Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
- Zucchini Chips
- Healthy, simple, and fabulous, this Squash and Zucchini Casserole is the best healthy recipe for summer squash!
Easy Summer Side Dishes
- Easy Coleslaw contains shredded cabbage, creamy vinaigrette dressing and it’s not loaded down with mayo! This will be your go-to slaw for a dinner side, picnic fare and fish tacos!
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob – Make a favorite summer finger food in your Instant Pot: Perfectly cooked corn on the cob EVERY SINGLE TIME. Let your pressure cooker simplify meal-time so you can enjoy every morsel of summer.
- Roasted Vegetables is a super easy recipe and it results in a deliciously crispy, flavorful side dish. This recipe will turn veggie haters into veggie lovers! Swap out vegetables in this recipe for any you might have on hand.
- Sauteed Cabbage is the perfect quick and delicious side dish for any meal. Using only a few ingredients and taking 10 minutes of your time, you can’t go wrong with this super flavorful and affordable recipe!
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Easy Zucchini Parmesan Fritters Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place grated zucchini in a bowl and toss with the salt. Let sit 5 minutes. Add eggs, flour and cheeses and mix well.2 cups zucchini, 1 tsp sea salt, 2 eggs, beaten, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Scoop out heaping tablespoons of the zucchini mixture and add to the pan, pressing down with a spatula. Cook 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.3 tbsp olive oil
- Serve immediately. A drizzle of sriracha is optional but delicious!2 tbsp Sriracha
Notes
- Because bacon makes everything yummy, fry 3 slices of bacon, chop it finely and add it to the zucchini batter prior to frying.
- A teaspoon of dill weed with the batter adds a delicious flavor that complements the cheese.
- Aioli sauce is a delicious dipping sauce for these zucchini fritters.
- Salting the zucchini helps to pull moisture out of it, so don’t skip this step in the beginning. Let the zucchini sit with the salt will prevent the fritters from being too watery or mushy.
- Make these gluten-free by replacing the flour with almond flour!
- Toss Feta cheese crumbles over the top, just before serving, for an extra punch of deliciousness.
- Replace half of the grated zucchini with grated carrots, sweet potatoes or corn kernels to change up the flavors!
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