Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Best Zucchini Fritters

A zucchini fritter is a new favorite in our house for the best way to put that summer zucchini overabundance to good use in the height of the zucchini season!
Best of all, you only need five ingredients done in less than 30 minutes, and can be made baked, fried, or air fried!

I make these often just to snack on they are so flavorful and dunked into homemade Blue Cheese, Ranch Dressing, or our homemade Garlic Aioli these are a winner!

If you are looking for a great little fritter appetizer for zucchini this is a must-try recipe using zucchini.

I have also baked and air fried them, of course, everything tastes better fried, but with a little cooking spray, you can adapt these to a low-calorie fritter.

My kids and husband's favorite way to eat these is sprinkled with loads of Parmesan cheese and then dipped into some warm marinara sauce so if you love zucchini casserole make sure after you fry them you add them to a casserole dish with shredded cheese and sauce for a nice side dish with leftovers!

These are super easy to make and again leftovers are perfect for snacking on with all our dipping suggestions plus another great addition to Game Day appetizers when hosting a party or holiday appetizers.

You can just scroll down to the recipe card and print this off easily, hope you love these as much as we do.



fried zucchini on a plate made into fritters





Step by Step

  1. shred the zucchini in a food processor or grate it then blot dry with paper towels
  2. combine the ingredients together
  3. make round patties by hand or with a hamburger press or drop by tablespoons
  4. heat the oil fry, bake, or air fry
  5. Note:if you're not a zucchini fan substitute broccoli or cauliflower same methods


baked zucchini fritters


Simple Ingredients(exact measurements are in the recipe card below!

  • zucchini
  • flour 
  • baking powder
  • olive oil
  • Parmesan cheese
  • egg
  • finely minced garlic
  • granulated garlic
  • dried oregano, a pinch of basil pinch of cayenne pepper salt, and pepper to taste
  • Optional: marinara sauce for dipping with grated cheese and shredded mozzarella or your favorite salad dressing Canola or Vegetable oil for frying


zucchini ingredients for fritters


Cooking Methods and Tips

  • Air Fried: Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees. Lightly brush the air fryer basket with cooking oil to prevent sticking. Make burger-sized patties and add them to the air fryer. Air fry the fritters for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for 5 more minutes.
  • Baked: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, place patties on a greased baking sheet or bake them until browned around 20 minutes, turning them once (I oil spray the patties on top then flip for a crispier pattie. 
  • Flater thinner patties: Press your fritters flatter before frying on wax paper to make them even crispier. 
  • Removing as much moisture as possible before cooking fritters will is the best practice for best results in crispy fritters. 
  • Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. 
  • Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave  
  • Freeze cooked fritters flat on parchment paper then stack with paper in between and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.


grated zucchini in a food processor


Tool You Will Need

  1. box cheese grater or food processor with attachments
  2. knife
  3. mixing bowl
  4. tablespoon
  5. hamburger press if baking
  6. spatula
  7. nonstick frying pan


fresh garden zucchini in a basket


Best Zucchini Fritter Pin for later



pin for later zucchini fritters


Fun Finger Appetizers



Fritters are easy to make and if you've ever made a pancake, the batter is similar, you may have to spray a hamburger press with cooking spray for easy removal if using that tool, we just drop them in hot oil.


I like the look of the ragged edges on a fritter as opposed to being molded but it's your kitchen so make them the way you prefer.


Best Zucchini Fritters

Best Zucchini Fritters

Yield: 12
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 7 MinTotal time: 12 Min
Zucchini fritters are a delicious little fried, baked or air fried appetizer. Perfect for hosting a party and great with marinara and melted cheese on top!

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups shredded zucchini
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, or Pecorino Romano
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1 large clove of finely minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon each granulated garlic, dried oregano, a pinch of basil
  • pinch of cayenne pepper
  • salt, and pepper to taste
  • Optional: marinara sauce for dipping with grated cheese and shredded mozzarella or your favorite salad dressing
  • Canola or Vegetable oil for frying
  • Optional: you can add a few tablespoons of chopped hot peppers or bell peppers for a change of flavors, add some chopped dill or a few pieces of minced rosemary around 1/4 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. Grate the zucchini and chop the peppers if using.
  2. Blot dry with paper towels and squeeze out any juices. (see notes below for tips)
  3. In a bowl beat the egg.
  4. Stir in the flour, baking powder, oil, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings.
  5. Mold on parchment paper if making patties by hand (hamburger press) we just drop them in hot oil with a tablespoon.
  6. Heat around 2 inches of oil in a pan and fry until golden on one side then flip.
  7. Drain on paper towels.
  8. These are best served warm with ranch, blue cheese, or warmed marinara sauce.
  9. Optional: layer a casserole dish with marinara, shredded mozzarella,, and lots of Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese and use it as a side dish with any meal

Notes

Cooking Methods and Tips

  • Air Fried: Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees. Lightly brush the air fryer basket with cooking oil to prevent sticking. Make burger-sized patties and add them to the air fryer. Air fry the fritters for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for 5 more minutes.
  • Baked: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, place patties on a greased baking sheet or bake them until browned around 20 minutes, turning them once (I oil spray the patties on top then flip for a crispier pattie. 
  • Flater thinner patties: Press your fritters flatter before frying on wax paper to make them even crispier. 
  • Removing as much moisture as possible before cooking fritters will is the best practice for best results in crispy fritters. 
  • Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. 
  • Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave  
  • Freeze cooked fritters flat on parchment paper then stack with paper in between and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Tool You Will Need

  1. box cheese grater or food processor with attachments
  2. knife
  3. mixing bowl
  4. tablespoon
  5. hamburger press if baking
  6. spatula
  7. nonstick frying pan


how to make zucchini pancakes, best zucchini fritters, air fried zucchini fritters, baked zucchini fritters
zucchini recipes, air fryer recipes, vegetable recipes, appetizer
Italian, American


Best Zucchini Fritter Pin for later





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