This is my mother’s recipe zucchini pancakes. They get nice and crispy and can be dipped in marinara or topped with a dollop of sour cream!
Shredded zucchini is mixed with breadcrumbs, an egg, cheese and some spices. Form into patties and bake until crispy.
It’s a side dish or snack that everyone will rave about.
What are zucchini fritters?
Zucchini Cakes are zucchini patties that are soft on the inside and nice and crispy on the outside, similar to hash browns or potato pancakes. They differ from my zucchini pancakes, which have a slightly softer texture.
In this zucchini fritters recipe, shredded zucchini is mixed with egg, flour, breadcrumbs and cheese. Once formed into patties, they can be pan or air fried.
A garden favorite
- Zucchini Cakes are the perfect way to enjoy garden zucchini easy to do!
- They’re crispy-crunchy on the outside and soft and cheesy on the inside.
- If you have zucchini, chances are you have everyone else ingredients at hand.
- you can be prepared and warm up for snacking. If you have a lot of zucchini, double (or triple) the recipe!
Ingredients for zucchini cakes
Zucchini: Use medium-sized zucchini and shred them with a kitchen grater. no peeling necessary! If using a larger zucchini, scoop out the large seeds with a spoon. Add other cooked and finely diced or shredded vegetables to taste (press dry before using).
Egg, breadcrumbs and flour: Seasoned breadcrumbs add flavor and, along with the egg and flour, help hold the donuts together.
Cheese: Pre-grated or freshly grated cheese is great, I love cheddar and/or mozzarella. wanna mix it up Try feta or pepper jack.
Variations: Change it up and make your zucchini fritters with your own cheeses or spices. Red pepper flakes, black pepper, garlic, spices or herbs such as parsley or fresh dill work well.
How to make zucchini fritters
- Chop the zucchini, mix with a little salt and leave to rest in a sieve (according to the recipe below). Squeeze out excess liquid.
- Place the zucchini in a large bowl with the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
- Form patties from the zucchini mixture and fry in a skillet or air fryer until golden and crispy.
Squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the chopped zucchini. Cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel works best; paper towels aren’t strong enough to squeeze out the liquid.
Tips for great donuts
- Shred zucchini using the large holes of a kitchen grater.
- “Sweat” the courgettes with salt to remove excess moisture and ensure tender, crispy fritters. Using cheesecloth or kitchen towel, squeeze out as much water as possible.
- Choose vegetable oil for frying instead of olive oil, it has a higher smoke point and milder flavor.
- Store leftover zucchini cakes in a covered container in the refrigerator and heat in an oiled skillet or air fryer until crisp and hot.
serving suggestions
Try a squeeze of lemon juice or fresh herbs on top and serve with a side salad.
Make mini zucchini fritters as an appetizer and try these delicious dips and sauces, such as Thousand Island Dressing, Avocado Ranch Dressing, or Homemade Ranch Dressing.
Top them with some sour cream, Greek yogurt, or even warm marinara.
More Zucchini Recipes You’ll Love
Did your family love these Zucchini Fritters? Leave us a rating and a comment below!
zucchini pancakes
Zucchini fritters are a delicious side dish or appetizer with a crispy outside and tender inside.
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Start by grating your zucchini using the larger holes of a box grater. If you have a larger zucchini, be sure to remove any large seeds with a spoon.
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Sprinkle the shredded zucchini with salt and let sit in a colander for about 5-10 minutes to remove excess moisture.
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Using cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel, squeeze as much liquid as possible from the zucchini.
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In a bowl, mix the zucchini with the egg, cheese, breadcrumbs, scallions, flour, and baking powder until well combined.
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From the mixture, form four patties, each about 3 inches in diameter.
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In a large pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the zucchini patties.
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Sear each patty, 3 to 5 minutes per side, until a deep, golden brown color.
- These can be cooked in the air fryer at 370°F for 12-14 minutes.
- Preparing the courgettes by “sweating” them with salt removes excess moisture from the courgettes and guarantees tender, crispy donuts.
- After resting, place the shredded zucchini in a cheesecloth or kitchen towel and squeeze out as much of the liquid as possible.
- When cooking in a pan, choose vegetable oil over oil as it has a higher smoke point and milder flavor.
- Store leftover zucchini cakes in a covered container in the refrigerator and heat in an oiled skillet or air fryer until crisp and hot.
- The nutritional information refers to 1 piece.
Calories: 139 | Carbohydrates: 9G | Protein: 7G | Fat: 9G | Saturated Fatty Acids: 3G | Polyunsaturated fat: 2G | Monounsaturated fatty acids: 4G | trans fats: 0.02G | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 519mg | Potassium: 233mg | Fiber: 1G | Sugar: 2G | Vitamin A: 306IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 137mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on cooking method and brand of ingredients used.
course Appetizer, side dish, snack
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Recipe slightly adapted from Everything air fryer.
