Zucchini Fritters: the easy, low-carb appetizer recipe for your summer

Who doesn’t like a well-made, tasty fritter? There’s a reason why zucchini fritters are a childhood appetizer favorite in summer. They’re quick and easy to make, and it’s a great way to sneak in leftover vegetables!

These low-carb zucchini fritters are crispy and golden brown on the outside with a creamy, light center. Zucchini fritters are a great way to use up leftover zucchini from the fridge without having it go to waste.

Serve it also as a healthy side, as an alternative to (or together with) zucchini fries. You simply grate the zucchini, mix it with the remaining ingredients, form patties and pan-fry them. You’ll love how easy these crispy zucchini fritters are to make! Serve it with a dollop of sour cream or your favorite dipping sauce.

Crispy Zucchini Fritter Ingredients

Fresh zucchini – use one large zucchini.

Eggs – use large free-range eggs.

Flour – use all-purpose flour or see our substitution tips below.

Cheese – use cheddar or mozzarella.

Onion – use red onion as it has a milder flavor.

Olive Oil – use olive or any other neutral oil suitable for frying at higher temperatures like canola, peanut, sunflower, or corn oil.

How To Make Zucchini Fritters

Prepare the zucchini first. Cut off the ends from the zucchini and use a vegetable peeler to remove the peel. Grate the zucchini, transfer them to the bowl and add the salt. Set aside for 10 minutes. Pour water onto the zucchini and rinse well. Now pour the rinsed zucchini through a sieve to remove excess water.

Transfer the zucchini to a large mixing bowl. Add the cheese, onion, eggs, flour, salt, pepper, and rosemary. Mix together until all ingredients are fully combined. Add the oil to the pan over medium heat. Shape the fritters into patties and place them in the oil. Pan-fry the zucchini fritters until golden brown and cooked through for about 3-5 minutes per side.

Tips For Making Easy Zucchini Fritters

Don’t make your oil too hot, otherwise, the fritters will brown too quickly before it’s cooked through. Use a thermometer to heat the oil to about 350°F.

If the fritters are falling apart or becoming too soggy, it might be because they have too much water. Make sure you wring out all the water from the grated zucchini using your hands, a clean kitchen towel, or cheesecloth.

To make perfect, equally-sized scoops, you can use a large ice cream scoop.

You can use any other cheeses like feta, cheddar, cream cheese, or even ricotta.

You can use any zucchini for this recipe – green and yellow.

To make these Zucchini Fritters gluten-free, you can use almond flour or any gluten-free flour blend.

To make it vegan, you can use a vegan egg replacement. Substitute the egg with 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water. Use vegan cheese.

For this recipe, it's best not to bread zucchini fritters before pan-frying.

What To Serve With Zucchini Fritters

Serve the Zucchini Fritters with sour cream, sweet chili sauce, or ranch dressing. Or a healthier dipping alternative, try Greek yogurt. Enjoy them as an appetizer, or serve them as a side.

How To Store And Reheat Crispy Zucchini Fritters

The fritters can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container, and line it with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Reheat the fritters in the oven (or Airfryer) to make them crispy again.

Can You Freeze Zucchini Fritters?

You can make the Zucchini Fritters ahead of time and store them in the freezer. Simply heat them in the oven when you’re ready to eat them. They’re freezable for up to 3 months.

Instructions

Cut off the ends from the zucchini and peel.

Grate the zucchini, transfer them to the bowl and add the salt. Set aside for 10 minutes.

Add the water to the grated zucchini and rinse them well. Pour the mixture into a sieve and allow it to drain.

Add the cheese, onion, eggs, flour, salt, pepper, and rosemary.

Mix together until all ingredients are fully combined.

Add the oil to the pan over medium heat. Shape the fritters into patties and place them in the oil.

Fry the fritters for about 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Experiment with other veggies too. Add grated carrots, corn, or even quinoa.