Zucchini Fritters – Spend With Pennies

This is my mom’s recipe for zucchini fritters. They come out nice and crispy and ready for dipping into marinara or topping with a dollop of sour cream!

Shredded zucchini is mixed with bread crumbs, an egg, cheese, and some seasonings. Form them into patties and pan fry or air fryer for the perfect little side dish that everyone will rave about.

What are Zucchini Fritters?

Zucchini fritters are basically zucchini patties that are soft inside and nice and crisp on the outside like a hashbrown patty or potato pancake. They’re different from my zucchini pancakes which are a bit softer in texture.

Shredded zucchini is mixed with egg, flour, breadcrumbs, and cheese. Once formed into patties they can be pan-fried or air fried.

Why We Love These Zucchini Fritters 

• They’re the perfect way to enjoy the last of garden zucchini and are easy to make!
• Zucchini fritters come out with a crispy exterior, are soft inside and are jam-packed with flavor.
• If you have zucchini, you likely have all of the other ingredients on hand.
• They can be prepped ahead and reheat well for snacking.
• If you have lots of zucchini, double (or triple) the recipe!

Ingredients for Zucchini Fritters

Zucchini: No need to peel zucchini for this recipe! If using large garden zucchini, cut them in half and use a spoon to scrape out the large seeds. Add other cooked and finely diced or shredded vegetables if you’d like (squeeze them dry before using).

Filling: Seasoned bread crumbs add flavor and help bind the fritters together when paired with egg and a spoonful of all-purpose flour.

Cheese: Mozzarella and parmesan are a perfect match for making fritters because they melt together so well and have rich flavors. Feta cheese is also great in this recipe.

Variations: Swap out the cheese or add seasonings to your liking. Try garlic, seasonings, or fresh herbs like parsley or fresh dill.

How to Make Zucchini Fritters

1. Shred zucchini and toss with a bit of salt and let rest in a colander (per the recipe below). Squeeze out excess liquid.
2. Add the zucchini to a large bowl with the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
3. Form the zucchini mixture into patties and cook in a skillet or air fryer until golden-brown and crisp.

Tips for Great Fritters

• Shred zucchini using the large holes of a box grater.
• Prepping the zucchini properly is the key to fritter perfection! ‘Sweating’ the zucchini with salt draws out the excess moisture and guarantees tender, crispy fritters.
• Once rested, place the shredded zucchini in cheesecloth or a kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
• Vegetable oil is better than olive oil if cooking in a skillet as it has a higher smoke point and milder flavor.
• Keep leftover zucchini fritters in a covered container in the refrigerator and reheat them in an oiled skillet or air fryer until crispy and hot.

Serving Suggestions

Make mini zucchini fritters as an appetizer and try these delish dips and sauces, like thousand island dressing, avocado ranch dressing, or homemade ranch dressing. Top them with some sour cream, Greek yogurt or even warm marinara.

Zucchini Recipes to Try

Did your family love these Zucchini Fritters? Leave us a rating and a comment below!

Recipe slightly adapted from Everything Air Fryer.