Zucchini Fritters are the best appetizer and side dish to serve at any summertime event! Made with fresh zucchini, garlic, two types of cheese and more, these fritters are as flavorful as they are easy to make.
If you have any extra zucchini on hand, use it deliciously in recipes like Zucchini Tomato Soup, Zucchini Bread and Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats.
Table of Contents
Zucchini is a vegetable that I love sneaking onto my kids plates! It’s so easy to tuck into various recipes, like these cheesy fritters. I’d even go as far as to say that this is a kid-friendly recipe. The zucchini may be the star of the show, but you take bite after bite to really enjoy those cheesy, garlicky flavors that make these fritters so good.
Whipping up a big batch of zucchini fritters for a party is incredibly easy. From start to finish, you should be able to have these fritters on the table in just 30 minutes! You can also serve zucchini fritters as a snack or side dish as well. I’ve made zucchini fritters to go with Baked Chicken, steaks, and even seafood. Zucchini goes well with many meats.
When serving them as an appetizer or a snack, all you need is a simple dip! There are many dips and sauces you can serve with these fritters, but sour cream is the simplest one that will never disappoint. Also, try ranch dressing, Cajun remoulade, Avocado Ranch, creamy cilantro lime dressing, and cucumber raita. Basically, anything creamy and cool will be a nice balance of flavor.
Ingredient Notes
Zucchini – Summer is zucchini season, so go grab yourself plenty of this fresh veggie from your local farmers market or produce section of the grocery store.
Panko – These bread crumbs help to bind the fritters. Panko is my preferred bread crumb of choice because it lends the best subtle crunch.
Cheeses – You’ll need both mozzarella and parmesan to make these cheesy zucchini fritters. Try to make sure both cheeses are fresh (not the pre-shredded bagged stuff) for the best flavor and consistency.
See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Zucchini Fritters
Prepare the zucchini – Grate the zucchini on a box grater, on the side with larger holes, and transfer grated zucchini into a mesh bag or cheese cloth. Squeeze out as much liquid as you can.
Combine the ingredients – Place the squeezed zucchini into a mixing bowl and toss in the remaining ingredients. Mix well until all ingredients are fully combined.
Form the fritters – Preheat a pan over medium heat, then lower the temperature a little bit. Add oil and use an ice cream scoop to scoop out even amounts of zucchini mixture. Gently shape the fritters with your hands and place into the pan.
Cook the fritters – Cook the zucchini fritters for 4-6 minutes per side, depending on the size of the fritters. Try to only flip once so there is less chance of them breaking apart.
PRO TIP: When cooking fritters, don’t cook at too high temperature. Preheat the pan first and then cook the fritters over medium to medium-low heat. If the heat is too high, the outside will cook much faster than the inside and you will end up with an under-cooked center.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
You can store zucchini fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days. I like to separate each fritter with a square of parchment paper so they don’t get stuck together.
To reheat, place them in a pan over medium heat until warmed through.
Freezing:
To freeze cooked zucchini fritters, place them on a sheet of parchment paper, on a baking sheet or a cutting board, in one layer. Freeze for about 2 hours. I recommend setting a timer so you don’t forget about it!
Once the fritters are frozen, transfer them into one or several freezer zip-lock bags. Get all the air out, seal, label and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Zucchini fritters are very easy to make gluten-free just by substituting the bread crumbs. Use gluten-free bread crumbs and preferrable ones that are similar to Panko in consistency. The 4C brand of plain gluten free bread crumbs is the one that closest resembles Panko.
This usually happens when there is too much moisture. The best way to battle this is to make sure to squeeze out the juices from grated zucchini.
Grate zucchini on a box grater, on the side with larger holes, then transfer grated zucchini into a mesh bag. You can also use cheese cloth. Squeeze out as much liquid as you can before mixing zucchini with remaining ingredients.
This happens when there is not enough binder in the mix. I like to use Panko bread crumbs, 2 eggs, and cheese as binders.
Fritters can also fall apart if they’re stuck to the pan. Make sure to use enough oil, preheat the pan, don’t flip too soon or too much, or you can use a non-stick cooking pan.
Make More of the Best Summer Recipes
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? PLEASE leave a 🌟 star rating! Let me know how you liked it by leaving the 📝 comment below or share and tag me on social media @willcookforsmiles. DON’T FORGET to subscribe to my newsletter!
Zucchini Fritters Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp canola oil for cooking
- 2 cups shredded zucchini – squeezed (2 large zucchini, around 1.5 lbs)
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 2 garlic cloves
- salt
- fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Grate zucchini on a box grater, on the side with larger holes, and transfer grated zucchini into a mesh bag or cheese cloth. Squeeze out as much liquid as you can.
- Transfer squeezed zucchini into a mixing bowl and add remaining ingredients. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
- Preheat a large cooking pan over medium heat and lower the temperature a little bit. Add oil and use an ice cream scoop (or a smaller scoop) to scoop out even amounts of zucchini mixture. Gently shape the fritters with your hands and place into the cooking pan.
- Cook for 4-6 minutes on each side, depending on the size of the fritters. Try to only flip once so there is less chance of them breaking apart.
- Note: if cooking more than one batch of fritters at a time, you many need to add a little more oil to the pan between batches.
Video
Notes
- Gluten Free Note: Absolutely! Zucchini fritters are very easy to make gluten-free just by substituting bread crumbs. Use gluten-free bread crumbs and preferably ones that resemble Panko in consistency. The 4C brand of plain bread crumbs is the one that closest resembles Panko.
- Squeeze out the zucchini: Make sure to squeeze out as much liquid as you can before mixing zucchini with remaining ingredients. Too much moisture will lead so soggier fritters.
- Fritters Falling Apart? This happens when there is not enough binder in the mix. I like to use Panko bread crumbs, 2 eggs, and cheese as binders. Fritters can also fall apart if they’re stuck to the pan. Make sure to use enough oil, don’t flip too soon or too much, or you can use a non-stick cooking pan.
Sue says
Very, very good. Thanks for sharing and comu g up with new recipes.
Sue
LyubaB says
Thank you, Sue! I am so glad you liked the recipe!
Hilde says
Very good recipe! I added some fresh corn. A dash of cayenne pepper and or a little fresh parsley or chives would be good too.
LyubaB says
That sounds like a tasty addition! So glad you liked the recipe.
Ruth says
Have made these twice. Easy and delicious.
LyubaB says
SO glad you like them, Ruth!
Helen L says
I made these last night and my daughter and her boyfriend both loved them: will make them again! Thanks for the recipe!!! Hugs, H
LyubaB says
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that your daughter and her boyfriend loved the chicken burgers! It makes me so happy when a recipe is a hit with the whole family. Thank you for trying it out, and I can’t wait for you to make them again! Hugs right back to you! ❤️
Eileen says
Just made them, very good!
LyubaB says
I am so glad you liked them, Eileen!
Mary says
Just made them, they are yummy!!
LyubaB says
Yay! Glad you liked them! 🙂
Shannon says
So quick and easy. I did it as the recipe said but I did air fry it instead of using oil. Worked out really well!
Carslake Nancy says
Delicious. Had dipping sauce on the side and fresh tomatoes
LyubaB says
Yum! Glad you liked the recipe!
Sue says
Delicious! Have made them numerous times! We serve them with ranch or garlic dressing. Can’t wait to harvest my zucchini! Thanks for posting!
LyubaB says
I’m so glad to hear you love them! Serving with ranch or garlic dressing sounds perfect—great way to complement the flavors!
Zipporah Cazarez says
Very delicious 😋
LyubaB says
I am so glad you liked it!
JoLeAnn says
If you’re cooking in the air fryer, how long and what temperature
LyubaB says
I haven’t made these in the air fryer so I can’t say how long or what temperature.
Suzi M says
I couldn’t edit my review that I just left, but I also wanted to add that instead of frying the fritters, I used the air fryer. Thanks for sharing your recipe!