Make this Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters Recipe as a healthy and delicious snack, side dish, or appetizer. These golden, crispy treats are not only packed with flavors but also a great way to sneak some veggies into your diet. It is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside.
During zucchini season, there is an abundance of zucchini from my three zucchini plants, and I, myself could not keep up with how to cook them without getting tired of the taste. My picky-eater son did not even notice that there are veggies in these fritters. In this recipe, I try my best to make a healthier version of zucchini fritters with all the available ingredients from my pantry. This recipe is one of our top favorites.
After trying this Air Fried Zucchini Fritters Recipe, try this Fermented Zucchini Recipe next.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Zucchini - You can use fresh green or yellow zucchini.
- Egg - An egg is a great source of protein and combiner but if you are Vegan, you can use flax seeds or chia seeds soaked with water as your egg.
- Cheddar Cheese - You can use your favorite shredded cheese too.
- Green Onion - I use chopped green onions but you can use different types of herbs such as basil, cilantro, and rosemary.
- Flour - I use all-purpose flour but if you are low-carb and gluten-free, you can use the same ratio of almond flour and adjust the batter mixture accordingly.
- Seasonings - I use salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to enhance the taste.
Instructions
Step 1. Grate the zucchini and sprinkle a teaspoon of salt over the zucchini. The salt helps the zucchini to release excess water. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
Step 2. Squeeze out excess moisture. After the zucchini has rested, use your hands or a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out as much moisture as possible. This step is crucial to achieve crispy fritters.
Step 3. Prepare the fritter mixtures. In a mixing bowl, combine the squeezed zucchini, grated cheese, chopped green onions, egg, flour, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are well blended.
Step 4. Preheat the air fryer and shape the fritters. Preheat your air-fryer to 375º for 3 minutes. While preheating the air-fryer, shape the zucchini fritters. Take a spoonful of zucchini mixture and shape it into a small patty. Add parchment paper to the air-fryer basket. Transfer the zucchini fritters and spray some cooking spray over the fritters.
Step 5. Air-fry. Cook them in an air-fryer for 10 minutes and flip to the other side. Air-fry the other side for 5-6 minutes more until you achieve a golden brown and crispy texture.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Super simple and easy to make, you just need a few steps and a few ingredients for this recipe. With minimal preparation and cooking time, you can have a satisfying snack or appetizer ready in just a few minutes without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Kid-friendly and family-approved. It is a great way to introduce kids to the world of vegetables in a fun and appealing. The crispy texture and savory taste are likely to win over even the pickiest eaters, making it a family-friendly recipe.
- Health benefits. Zucchini is one of the healthiest vegetables that are good for your overall health. It is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers, all of which contribute to a balanced healthy diet. It is also versatile in making so many other dishes, salads, soups, and smoothies. Low-calorie, low-carbohydrate and inexpensive.
- Less oil - Using an air fryer to make air fryer zucchini fritters are more convenient and guaranteed guilt-free. You use less oil without splattering all over. Simply transfer the fritters to the air fryer basket and cook them until crispy and crunchy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Batter consistency is key to good fritters. If too runny, add a touch of extra all-purpose flour to absorb excess liquid. If way too thick, slowly add some water. It is very important to squeeze all the excess water from the zucchini.
Refrigerate or chill your zucchini batter mixture in the fridge for about 10 minutes. Since the mixture is cold, the fritters will not absorb too much oil and thus keep them light and crispy. Again, make sure to squeeze all the excess water from the zucchini.
Zucchini fritters pair well with a variety of dipping sauces such as sour cream, avocado mayonnaise, sweet and sour sauce, salad dressings, or ketchup. The choice of dipping sauce can complement the flavors of the fritters and add a more delicious taste.
Yes, you can make fritters without eggs. Instead of eggs, you can use alternatives such as flax eggs (mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water), chia eggs, or ripe mashed bananas to serve as a binder for all the ingredients.
Absolutely! PArmesa cheese is the most popular but you can also use feta, cheddar, and mozzarella to name a few. Experiment with different cheeses to create unique combinations.
Spray cooking spray in your air-fryer basket or line a parchment paper. If the fritters stick while they cook, they'll probably fall apart while you try to remove them from the air fryer. Fritters that are too soggy are also prone to falling apart.
Of course! Bake shaped zucchini fritters in a baking tray with parchment paper in a preheated oven at 400º for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. However, using an air-fryer or pan-frying will most likely yield a crispier texture on the outside.
Yes, you can prepare the zucchini fritter mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for a few hours. It's best to cook the zucchini fritters just before serving to ensure they maintain their crispiness.
Yes, you can freeze uncooked zucchini fritters. After shaping the patties, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the fritters to an airtight container or freezer bag. When ready to eat, cook them in an air-fryer, or oven, or pan-fry them until crispy and golden brown. No need to thaw them.
Helpful Tips
- Crispy: after resting the zucchini with salt, squeeze as much water as you can to achieve a crispy texture.
- Make it gluten-free and low-carb: Substitute the all-purpose flour with almond flour. Try the same ratio, if it's too runny, start adding more almond flour until the batter is consistent.
- Make it vegan or vegetarian: You can make fritters without eggs. Instead of eggs, you can use alternatives such as flax eggs (mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water), chia eggs, or ripe mashed bananas to serve as a binder for all the ingredients.
- Storage Tips: Store your leftover zucchini fritters in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for about 3-5 days.
- Reheating Tips. To reheat the leftovers, air-fry them at 375º for a few minutes or until warm through.
Air-fryer Zucchini Fritters Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups zucchini grated and squeezed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cooking spray
- ⅓ cup sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup green onion chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Grate the zucchini and sprinkle a teaspoon of salt over the zucchini. The salt helps the zucchini to release excess water. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Squeeze out excess moisture. After the zucchini has rested, use your hands or a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out as much moisture as possible. This step is crucial to achieve crispy fritters.
- Prepare the fritter mixtures. In a mixing bowl, combine the squeezed zucchini, grated cheese, chopped green onions, egg, flour, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are well blended.
- Preheat the air fryer and shape the fritters. Preheat your air-fryer to 375º for 3 minutes. While preheating the air-fryer, shape the zucchini fritters. Take a spoonful of zucchini mixture and shape it into a small patty.
- Add parchment paper to the air-fryer basket. Spray the parchment paper with cooking spray. Transfer the zucchini fritters and spray some cooking spray over the fritters.
- Air-fry. Cook them in an air-fryer for 10 minutes and flip to the other side. Air-fry the other side for 5-6 minutes more until you achieve a golden brown and crispy texture.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Recipe Notes:
- Crispy: after resting the zucchini with salt, squeeze as much water as you can to achieve a crispy texture.
- Make it gluten-free and low-carb: Substitute the all-purpose flour with almond flour. Try the same ratio, if it's too runny, start adding more almond flour until the batter is consistent.
- Make it vegan or vegetarian: You can make fritters without eggs. Instead of eggs, you can use alternatives such as flax eggs (mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water), chia eggs, or ripe mashed bananas to serve as a binder for all the ingredients.
- Storage Tips: Store your leftover zucchini fritters in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for about 3-5 days.
- Reheating Tips: Reheat the fritters in the air-fryer at 375º for a few minutes or until warm through.
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