Description
These crispy Zucchini Fritters are a delicious and healthy snack or side dish made with grated zucchini, Parmesan cheese, and a few simple ingredients. They are pan-fried until golden brown and finished in the oven for a perfect texture. Easy to make and perfect for a light meal or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Fritter Mix
- 1 ½ pounds medium zucchini (about 3 medium)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg (whisked)
- 2 garlic cloves (finely minced)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350℉ to prepare for finishing the fritters after pan-frying.
- Prepare Zucchini: Grate the zucchini using a food processor with a grating attachment or a box grater. Lay the grated zucchini out in a flat layer and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out moisture. Then, strain the excess liquid from the zucchini using a cheesecloth or thin dish towel until you have about 1 cup of grated zucchini.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the drained grated zucchini, ½ cup flour, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, whisked egg, minced garlic, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Form Fritters: Shape the mixture into 8 equally sized balls, each approximately 2-3 tablespoons.
- Pan-Fry Fritters: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add 4 zucchini balls, then press them down gently with the back of a spatula to form patties about 2 ½ to 3 inches in diameter and ½-inch thick. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from skillet and repeat with remaining oil and fritters.
- Bake Fritters: After pan-frying, place all fritters back into the skillet and bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes to cook through and achieve perfect texture.
- Serve: Serve warm, topped with sour cream and garnished with finely chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Salting the zucchini and letting it sit removes excess moisture, preventing soggy fritters.
- Using a cast iron skillet helps achieve a nice crispy crust on the fritters.
- You can substitute Parmesan with Pecorino Romano for a slightly different flavor.
- These fritters can be served with sour cream, Greek yogurt, or your favorite dipping sauce.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend.
