Zucchini Fritters

Have extra zucchini? Make zucchini fritters! With freshly grated zucchini, egg, flour, and herbs, they are easy. Serve with a garlicky lemony sour cream dipping sauce.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

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Updated July 16, 2021
Elise Bauer
Overhead view of zucchini fritters served with a dipping sauce.
Cambrea Bakes

When zucchini are in season, we can barely keep up with the bounty! One vigorous zucchini plant can easily supply a family of four. Two or three plants and you are leaving bags of zucchini on your neighbors' porches.

Here's a quick and easy zucchini fritter recipe that's perfect for a side or snack.

How to Make Zucchini Fritters

This recipe uses a simple batter of zucchini, egg, flour, green onions, herbs and lemon. You gently fry the fritters in hot oil until lightly browned on both sides.

We're making a sour cream dipping sauce with lemon and garlic, or you could skip that and just serve with a dollop of yogurt.

A bowl of zucchini fritters set on a white background.
Cambrea Bakes

How Do You Keep Fritters From Getting Soggy?

Fresh garden zucchini is usually heavy with water. If you grate them and use them right away in these fritters it will be hard to crisp them up in a pan.

The trick to keep them from being mushy? Drain the freshly grated zucchini of excess moisture. If you salt the grated zucchini and let it drain in a sieve over a bowl, the salt will help draw out the extra water.

What to Serve With Zucchini Fritters?

Think of these fritters as a vegetable side or a simple appetizer. Serve them alongside meat, a green salad, or even topped with a fried egg.

A stack of zucchini fritters being topped with sauce.
Cambrea Bakes

Make Ahead

Have leftovers, or need to make ahead? You can make ahead these fritters and keep them chilled in the refrigerator for up to a week, or frozen for up to 3 months. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge. To reheat, spread them out on a lined baking sheet and put them in a 350°F oven until heated through.

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Zucchini Fritters

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Zucchini draining 10 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Servings 4 servings

You can easily substitute the fresh herbs with 1/2 teaspoon or so of dried herbs such as Italian seasoning.

A variation that several commenters have mentioned is to add a bit of cumin and feta to the mixture. You can also separate the egg and whip up the egg white and fold back in for lighter and fluffier fritters.

Ingredients

  • For the zucchini:
  • 1 pound of zucchini (about 3 medium sized), coarsely grated
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • For the dipping sauce:
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (can substitute plain Greek yogurt)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced, about 1 teaspoon
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt
  • For the fritters:
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 green onions, minced
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (more to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil or canola oil

Method

  1. Salt and drain zucchini:

    Sprinkle grated zucchini with about 1 teaspoon of salt. Place in a sieve or colander over a bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes.

    Press down with a wooden spoon to push out more of the water. Wrap it in paper towels and try to squeeze out more liquid.

    Zucchini fritters recipe drain the zucchini
    Elise Bauer
  2. Make dipping sauce:

    Whisk together the sour cream, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt into a medium bowl and set aside.

  3. Make the fritter batter:

    Whisk the egg in a large bowl. Add the grated zucchini, flour, minced green onions, thyme, basil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine well.

    Best zucchini fritter recipe make the batter
    Elise Bauer
  4. Fry the fritters:

    Heat the oil in a large skillet (we recommend a 10-inch cast iron skillet) over medium high heat until the oil is shimmery and hot. Test the oil by flicking a little flour into it. If the flour sizzles, it's ready.

    Working in batches, drop heaping tablespoons of batter into the skillet. Flatten slightly with the back end of a spoon or spatula. Cook, turning once, until browned, 4-6 minutes on each side.

    Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with salt. Repeat with remaining batter.

    Easy Zucchini fritters recipe fry on one side
    Elise Bauer
    Zucchini fritters fry on the second side
    Elise Bauer
  5. Serve the fritters:

    Serve immediately with sour cream dipping sauce. Fritters can be kept warm by placing on a sheet pan in a warm oven, or reheated under a broiler for a minute or two.

    Serve as an appetizer, or as a vegetable side. For extra fun, top with a poached or fried egg.

Zucchini Fritters
Elise Bauer