These Zucchini Fritters are crispy, delicious and so easy to make using summer zucchini, almond flour, fresh herbs and seasonings and include instructions for the stove, air fryer and oven. They make a tasty low carb snack or lunch and the perfect way to use up your garden veggies. Gluten-free, keto, grain-free, dairy-free plus options for paleo, Whole30 and vegan.
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Healthy Zucchini Fritters Recipe
Looking for new ways to use up some summer squash? Every year come July and August, we are always on the lookout for creative and easy zucchini recipes to use up our garden zucchini.
These Zucchini Fritters are super easy to make and such a delicious way to use up an overload of garden zucchini. All you need are just a few simple ingredients like almond flour, eggs, vegan parmesan, some fresh herbs and seasonings. They make a healthy snack or side dish and are completely grain free, gluten free, low carb and keto.
And if you’re looking for other ways to make crispy fritters, we also love these Broccoli Fritters and Crispy Salmon Cakes.
Why we love this zucchini recipe
- A delicious and healthy snack or side dish
- Grain free, gluten free, dairy-free, low carb and keto. And to make zucchini fritters paleo or Whole30 compliant, just swap the vegan parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast.
- Crispy golden edges and soft centers.
- Delicious on their own or you can serve them up with a dollop of dairy-free or regular sour cream or your favorite sauce.
- Simple pantry ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
Ingredients you need
- Grated zucchini – use a box grater to shred your zucchini finely, then remove all excess liquid to avoid soggy fritters
Egg – helps bind all the ingredients together. You can try using a flax egg (1 Tbsp ground flax seeds + 2.5 Tbsp water) to make these zucchini fritters vegan. - Almond Flour: Be sure to use superfine blanched almond flour and not almond meal. Almond flour is the main nut flour providing most of the bulk. Measure properly using the spoon and level method.
- Grated Vegan Parmesan cheese – we like Violife. Use regular if preferred or sub with nutritional yeast for paleo / Whole30 zucchini fritters)
- Baking powder – this leavening powder to help the fritters get crispy and fluffy
- Seasonings: salt, lemon pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika and Italian seasoning
- Green onions + fresh parsley – fresh herbs always help to bring out the flavor
- Avocado oil or olive oil, for frying
How to make Zucchini Fritters
Be sure to read all the step-by-step instructions and watch the video below to see how easy these healthy zucchini cakes are to make!
- Grate the zucchini: Use a box grater to grate zucchini.
- Squeeze out excess water: Use thick paper towels or a tea towel to wrap the zucchini and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. This helps prevent soggy zucchini fritters.
- Shape into patties: In a large bowl, add egg, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, almond flour, green onions and seasonings and mix until combined.
- Cook:
- On the stove: Heat oil in a large cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Drop 1.5 tablespoon sized portions into the pan, then press the batter to flatten. Fry until golden brown on both sides.
- Transfer to plate: Transfer crispy zucchini fritters to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining batter.
- In the oven: For baked zucchini cakes: Preheating your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet and form zucchini patties. Drop 1.5 tablespoon sized portions on baking sheet then press batter to flatten. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes, flip and bake for another 10 – 12 minutes.
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- Remove from oven and serve: Remove from oven and transfer healthy zucchini fritters to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve warm or room temperature with lemon wedges, sour cream or your favorite sauce.
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- In the Air Fryer: For Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters: Spray air fryer basket with avocado oil spray or line with parchment paper cut to size to avoid sticking. Scoop 1.5 tablespoonfuls Portions into THE air fryer basket, an inch apart. Press to flatten zucchini cakes and lightly spray with oil. Close air fryer and cook at 385F for 11-12 minutes (or until desired crispness), flipping and spraying halfway through. Transfer to plate and repeat with remaining batter.
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Tips for success
- Remove extra moisture: Use thick paper towels or a tea towel to wrap the zucchini and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. This helps prevent soggy zucchini fritters.
- Cook on high: To make the crispiest fritters, be sure to heat your pan, oven or air fryer on a higher temperature. Searing the fritters on high heat will ensure that you get that crispy golden crust.
- Use a fish spatula to flip: Using a fish spatula ensures that your fritters will not fall apart since the spatulas are thin and flexible.
Storage instructions
How to store: Store any leftover zucchini cakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to keep them separate by adding a square of parchment paper between each fritter so they don’t stick.
How to freeze: To freeze the already-made fritters, place in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze the pan for 20 minutes. Transfer to a large freezer bag or air-tight container and store in the freeze for up to 3 months.
How to thaw: Thaw the fritters overnight in the fridge.
How to reheat: Reheat frozen zucchini cakes on the skillet with a little bit of oil, until heated through. On a cookie sheet in a 300°F oven or air fryer at 315 F until heated through.
Variations
- Grate in more vegetables: Want to bulk up your fritters with more vegetables? Grate in some yellow squash, carrots, cauliflower or even sweet potatoes
- Add corn: Have lots of summer corn, add some in to make zucchini corn fritters
What to serve with zucchini fritters
These crispy zucchini patties are delicious on their own and will go great with so many dishes! We love serving ours as appetizers with a dollop of dairy-free sour cream or a creamy aioli dip.
You can also pair them with some Grilled Chicken, Summer Rolls or a Kale Caesar Salad.
Are zucchini fritters healthy?
Yes. These crispy zucchini cakes are not only absolutely delicious but they are low in calories and make a healthy toddler-friendly snack or side dish.
Are zucchini fritters keto?
Yes. The nutritional info for one of these crispy keto zucchini cakes is:
- 68 calories
- 2g Net Carbs = 3g Total Carbs – 1g Fiber
- 4g Protein
- 5g Fat
More zucchini recipes you might like:
These Zucchini Fritters are crispy, delicious and so easy to make using summer zucchini, almond flour, fresh herbs and seasonings and include instructions for the stove, air fryer and oven. They make a tasty low carb snack or lunch and the perfect way to use up your garden veggies. Gluten-free, keto, grain-free, dairy-free plus options for paleo, Whole30 and vegan.
- 3 medium zucchini , grated and excess water squeezed out very well using a cheesecloth or thick paper towels
- 1 large egg , (may sub with 1 flax egg for vegan (1 Tbsp ground flax seeds + 2.5 Tbsp water)
- 1/2 cup superfine blanched almond flour
- 1/4 cup grated vegan (or regular) Parmesan cheese , we like Violife. You can sub with nutritional yeast for paleo / Whole30
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 green onions , finely sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley , optional but adds extra freshness and flavor
- avocado oil or olive oil
- dollop of dairy-free or regular sour cream, chopped green onions or dill plus lemon wedges
GRATE ZUCCHINI: Use a box grater to grate zucchini. Wrap with a cheesecloth, tea towel or thick paper towels and squeeze out excess water very well.
MAKE THE ZUCCHINI PATTIES:
In a large mixing bowl, add egg and use a fork to beat. Add the grated and squeezed out zucchini, almond flour, cheese, baking powder, salt, seasonings and green onions and parsley if using. Mix until combined.**
**If batter seems too soggy, add a little bit more almond flour. If batter seems too dry, add a little bit of water.
Heat 2 tablespoons avocado oil in a large cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Drop 1.5 tablespoon sized portions into the pan, then gently press the batter to flatten.
Fry until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining batter.
Serve warm with a dollop of sour cream and top with chopped green onions or dill along with lemon wedges.
Spray air fryer basket with avocado oil spray or line with parchment paper cut to size to avoid sticking.
Scoop 1.5 tablespoonfuls portions into the air fryer basket, an inch apart. Press to flatten zucchini cakes and lightly spray with oil.
Close air fryer and cook at 385F for 11-12 minutes (or until desired crispness), flipping and spraying halfway through.
Transfer to plate and repeat with remaining batter.
Serve warm with a dollop of sour cream and top with chopped green onions or dill along with lemon wedges.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Drop 1.5 tablespoon sized portions on baking sheet then gently press the batter to flatten. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes, flip and bake for another 10 – 12 minutes.
Remove from oven and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Serve warm with a dollop of sour cream and top with chopped green onions or dill along with lemon wedges.
Recipe Video
How to store: Store any leftover zucchini cakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to keep them separate by adding a square of parchment paper between each fritter so they don't stick.
How to freeze: To freeze the already-made fritters, place in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze the pan for 20 minutes. Transfer to a large freezer bag or air-tight container and store in the freeze for up to 3 months.
How to thaw: Thaw the fritters overnight in the fridge.
How to reheat: Reheat frozen zucchini cakes on the skillet with a little bit of oil, until heated through. On a cookie sheet in a 300°F oven or air fryer at 315 F until heated through.
Did you try this recipe?
Veronica -
Healthy and delicious these zucchini fritters are packed with flavor and are a great source of nutrition!