Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters

Why This is the Best Recipe for Zucchini Fritters in Air Fryer

• Loaded with cheese. These cheesy zucchini fritters are loaded with Parmesan cheese.
• Perfectly seasoned. The blend of spices is perfect and has the most welcoming aromas.
• Crispy fritters. They are tasty veggie fritters with crispy Panko crust.
• Easy to freeze. Prepare it, freeze it, and save it for later!
• Tastes like corn fritters. These are the best zucchini fritters because they taste like an indulgent snack from the fair, but they are good for you.

Ingredients

• Zucchini - grate using the small side of a box grater then place in paper towels and squeeze excess moisture out.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Egg - is the glue that helps hold the fritters together
• All-purpose flour - works best. If making a gluten-free version use a 1:1 gluten-free flour or for keto diets opt for almond flour.
• Italian Seasoning
• Garlic Powder
• Green Onion
• Salt
• Ground Black Pepper
• Jalapeno Pepper or cayenne pepper (optional) - for those who like a little spiciness
• Panko Breadcrumbs - use seasoned or plain. You can substitute gluten-free panko for gluten-free diets or pork panko for keto diets.

How to Make Zucchini Fritters in an Air Fryer

Prior to assembling, shred zucchini on the small side of a box grater. Place in paper towels and roll up then squeeze excess moisture out. (see step-by-step on how to shred zucchini in my Zucchini Cake post)

1. Place the zucchini in a large bowl. Add ½ cup parmesan cheese.
2. Add flour, seasonings, and sliced green onion.
3. Sprinkle in minced jalapeno or opt for a dash of cayenne pepper.
4. Add corn kernels if using.
5. Crack an egg into the mixture.
6. Stir well.

7. Using your hands, form into patties about the size of a small hamburger. I made six zucchini patties out of mine,

8. Combine panko crumbs and the remaining ¼ cup parmesan cheese. Stir together.
9. Place each pattie in the panko mixture and coat both sides. Pat lightly to help the crumb mixture adhere.

10. Place parchment in the bottom of your air fryer basket then gently place zucchini fritters in the basket. Make sure you leave room in-between so they cook evenly. Spray tops with cooking spray.
11. Air fry at 370 degrees for 12 minutes, turning halfway through and spraying tops again with cooking spray. When cooking is complete they should be golden brown.

Look at those gorgeous fritters, so golden and crispy! I like to serve mine with sour cream and a sprinkling of green onions. They also pair well with ketchup, marinara, or ranch dressing. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

• Coarsely grate the zucchini for better texture. Use the large holes of a box grater or a food processor grater disk with larger holes.
• Place the zucchini shreds in a colander or spread them out on a kitchen towel or paper towels. Sprinkle salt over them and let them sit for about 20 minutes to let the salt pull out the moisture.
• Strain and squeeze as much liquid as possible from the zucchini.
• Refrigerate the patties for 15 minutes before air frying them. This will help keep them firm and not fall apart.
• Make sure there is space between the fritters in the air fryer basket.
• After flipping the fritters over, gently press down on them with a spatula to ensure even cooking and help prevent them from being mushy in the middle.

Recipe Variations

These fritters are so easy to adapt and you can make them with many different flavors as well as for special diets.

Flavor Variations

• Bacon and Zucchini Fritters: Add ¼ cup of cooked bacon pieces.
• Add Fresh Herbs: Basil, thyme, rosemary, and mint pair nicely with zucchini.
• Add Protein: Canned tuna, tofu, or quinoa are great choices.
• Add Other Vegetables: Substitute some of the zucchini with broccoli, corn, carrot, cauliflower, eggplant, peas, shredded potato (hashbrowns), spinach, yellow summer squash, leeks, onion, pumpkin, or sweet potato.
• Greek Zucchini Fritters: Substitute the parmesan with feta cheese and the Italian seasoning with Greek seasoning.
• Italian Zucchini Fritters: Add a little ricotta to the batter.
• Southwest Zucchini Fritters: Substitute the Italian seasoning with a spicy southwestern seasoning.

Special Diet Variations

• Dairy Free Zucchini Fritters: Omit the parmesan cheese.
• Flourless Zucchini Fritters: Some type of flour is necessary to hold the patties together. If you want to avoid using all-purpose flour, you can use almond, oat, or coconut flour.
• Gluten-Free Zucchini Fritters: Substitute 1:1 gluten-free flour, almond flour, coconut flour, or cornmeal. Make sure the panko crumbs are designated gluten-free.
• Keto Zucchini Fritters: Substitute the all-purpose flour with keto-friendly flour such as almond flour. Substitute the panko with pork panko or crushed pork rinds.
• Vegan Zucchini Fritters: Substitute the parmesan with vegan cheese and the egg with 1 tablespoon ground flax meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water.
• Egg Free Zucchini Fritters: The patties need a binder to help hold them together. To make a zucchini fritter no egg batter, combine 1 tablespoon of ground flax meal with 2 ½ tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Use the mixture in place of the egg.

What to Serve with Zucchini Fritters

A dipping sauce for zucchini fritters is a nice option. You can go with creamy or tomato-based sauces. Here are a few suggestions:

• Marinara Sauce
• Plain Greek Yogurt
• Sour Cream
• Ranch Dressing
• Tzatziki Sauce from the View from Great Island

Zucchini Fritters Meal

Are you wondering what to serve zucchini fritters with to make it a complete meal? They are a great side dish for beef, chicken, and seafood. And I happen to have some tasty air fryer recipes that would be perfect:

• Air Fryer Filet Mignon
• Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs
• Lemon Butter Salmon in Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Pork Chops

How to Store

Wrap leftover fritters individually with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Can You Freeze Zucchini Fritters?

Yes! Zucchini fritters can be frozen both before and after cooking.

Before cooking: Individually wrap the formed fritter patties with plastic wrap (freezer wrap recommended). Thaw the patties in the refrigerator overnight and then cook them according to recipe directions.

After cooking: Place the cooked fritters on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer. Once they are frozen, transfer them to plastic freezer bags or an airtight freezer-safe container. Thaw them overnight in the fridge.

How to Reheat Zucchini Fritters

There are several ways you can reheat leftover zucchini fritters:

• Air Fryer - Air fry at 360°F for 3 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave on high for 20 to 30 seconds. Additional 10-second intervals if needed.
• Oven - Place on an oven-safe dish or baking sheet. Heat at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes.

Note that whichever method you choose for reheating, they will not be as crispy as when they were originally air fried.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Zucchini Recipes

• Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are deliciously crispy.
• Baked Zucchini Chips with parmesan are a tasty and healthy snack.
• Zucchini Boats with fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese.
• Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a wonderful dessert and a great way to sneak in veggies with kids.
• Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread is moist chocolaty goodness and filled with chocolate chips. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert!

Find lots of easy air fryer recipes here on 2CM!