Healthy Zucchini Fritters Recipe
These healthy zucchini fritters are definitely not your traditional zucchini fritter. They are lighter (both in calories and in fat), but still, really fill you up and keep you going until lunch.
These delicious fritters can be enjoyed as a main course, an appetizer, or a side dish.
How Healthy Are Zucchini Fritters?
While many are fat and calorie-ladened, this recipe aims to fix that and make them much healthier. They are made with healthy, whole food ingredients and cooked in very little oil. You can even air fry them on parchment paper if you want to avoid adding any oil at all!
FAQs
What Is A Zucchini Fritter
Fritters are typically a fried “pancake” that can be made sweet or savory using sugar and fruit or meats and vegetables. But a zucchini fritter is something a little different (although you can certainly add zucchini to a regular fritter). Zucchini fritters are basically savory pancakes. They are slightly thick, often egg-based, and filled with grated zucchini. They are delicious with hummus or guacamole.
Why Are My Fritters Soggy Or Falling Apart?
It’s usually from too much moisture. It’s critical to squeeze as much liquid from the zucchini as possible. A mesh bag, cheesecloth, or clean kitchen towel usually works best. Wring out as much of the water as possible before adding it to your recipe. Zucchini has a ton of water in it that you don’t want in your fritter. If you don’t have a mesh bag or cheesecloth, you can put the grated zucchini into a fine-meshed sieve and press the zucchini with your hands to let the water fall out of the bottom into the sink or a bowl.
Can You Freeze Zucchini Fritters?
Absolutely!! Zucchini fritters freeze really well for up to 3 or 4 months. I recommend putting a small piece of parchment between each fritter before freezing, but even that isn’t truly necessary. To thaw, let them sit in the fridge overnight. To crisp them up again, simply warm them in a skillet with a very small amount of oil just to keep things from burning.
What To Serve With Healthy Zucchini Fritters
I love serving these with hummus. But a thin slice of cheese will work. Or simply garnish them with some parmesan cheese. (You can add parmesan to the batter as well before cooking)
I’ve also had these with a bit of plain yogurt and it was delicious. Very much like sour cream.
Will Yellow Zucchini Work?
It sure will! If you prefer the yellow version, feel free to use it!
Can These Be Made Gluten-Free?
All you have to do to make these gluten-free is to make sure you purchase gluten-free oats. Everything else is naturally gluten-free.
Recipe Variations
If you want to add even more flavors to this, consider mixing some of these into the batter:
- Garlic or garlic powder
- Veggies such as grated carrots or onion
- Add grated parmesan or cheddar cheese
- Add a half cup of brown rice flour to help hold things together. Use can really use any flour you wish here.
How To Garnish Zucchini Fritters
Top these off with:
- Yogurt sauce
- Chopped green onion
- Fresh herbs
- Salt and pepper
- Greek yogurt
- Shredded chicken
- Hot sauce
- Hummus
About The Ingredients
The Fritters
Large eggs – Chilled or room temperature. Either will work.
Raw quick oats – You can only use quick oats for this recipe. Other oats won’t cook properly.
Zucchini – Grated
Oil – As needed for cooking. Avoid olive oil because it has a low smoke point. Opt for higher smoke point oil such as avocado oil or coconut oil.
The Yogurt Sauce
Greek yogurt – You can also use non-dairy yogurt or sour cream
Chives – Use fresh chives and add as many as you like to taste.
Lemon zest – Grate fresh lemon zest and use as much as you like, to taste.
How To Make Healthy Zucchini Fritters
Gather all your ingredients together.
Grate the zucchini.
Remove as much of the water from the zucchini as possible by either compressing it in a sieve or squeezing it in some cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel.
Combine the eggs, oats, and shredded zucchini in a large bowl and mix until well combined.
Add oil to a non-stick pan and spoon some of the zucchini mixture onto the pan like you would with pancake batter.
Note: Watch the heat on these. You may need to keep it closer to medium and allow these to cook longer. You want the eggs to cook completely without letting the patties burn. Adjust accordingly.
Remove the zucchini pancakes from the pan when cooked through and golden brown, and top with a bit of yogurt sauce, hummus, or guacamole.
The Yogurt Sauce
In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, chopped chives, and lemon zest. Adjust to taste. Add salt and pepper if you wish, and serve on your zucchini fritters.
Can You Bake Zucchini Fritters?
You can! Bake them in the oven at 400 F. on a parchment-lined baking sheet for approximately 25-30 minutes or until they are cooked through.
Can You Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters?
You can! Simply line the air fryer basket or tray with parchment paper and cook at 400 F. for 10-20 minutes, depending on your appliance.
How To You Store Zucchini Fritters
Store these in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How To Freeze Zucchini Fritters
Place in an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 or 4 months. Place a small piece of parchment paper between each fritter to avoid the stack freezing into a large block.
Reheating Zucchini Fritters
You can reheat these fritters the same way you cooked them. Just keep the temperature a little lower so you don’t burn them. If you used an air fryer, use the warm setting.
Recipe Supplies
More Healthy Fritter Recipes
Healthy Zucchini Fritters Recipe Card
Healthy Zucchini Fritters Recipe
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
The Fritters
- 6 large eggs
- ½ cup raw quick oats
- 1 smal zucchini (grated)
- oil as needed for cooking
The Yogurt Sauce
- Greek yogurt (As much as you want)
- lemon zest (As much as you want)
- Fresh, chopped chives (As much as you want)
Instructions
The Fritters
- Gather all your ingredients together.
- Grate the zucchini.
- Remove as much of the water from the zucchini as possible by either compressing it in a sieve or squeezing it in some cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel.
- Combine the eggs, oats, and shredded zucchini in a large bowl and mix until well combined.
- Add oil to a non-stick pan and spoon some of the zucchini mixture onto the pan like you would with pancake batter.
- Note: Watch the heat on these. You may need to keep it closer to medium and allow these to cook longer. You want the eggs to cook completely without letting the patties burn. Adjust accordingly.
- Remove the zucchini pancakes from the pan when cooked through and golden brown, and top with a bit of yogurt sauce, hummus, or guacamole.
The Yogurt Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, chopped chives, and lemon zest. Adjust to taste. Add salt and pepper if you wish, and serve on your zucchini fritters.
Notes
Nutrition
From the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted 9/8/11.
Recipe updated 1/16/20.
These look good. I think I might make a batch and add some onion to it.
Lisa – That would be good! Enjoy!
Jodi – Oh ya! That does sound good! I’ll try it that way next time. Thanks!
Sara – admittedly, it’s pretty tough to just eat one. The good news is, it’s healthy!
I totally agree with the boredom thing! I love oatmeal, but lately, I feel if I eat one more spoonful, I’m gonna gag! I step it up alittle with a dollop of yogurt, almond butter and throw seeds, nuts and even granola on top! (It’s quite a pile!) But when even that doesn’t appeal to me I know it’s time for something solid and crunchy soooo….I turn to Ezekiel bread toast with tahini and apple butter spread on it, or toast with banana slices and cinnamon on top. I also love a smoothie – almond milk, spinach, banana, almond butter and chia seeds. How’s that sound?
Bette – Sounds like I’d like to come over for breakfast!
After I listed all of that, I looked at it and thought, “How the heck am I keeping the weight off???” But I am and eating like a queen! BTW,
I made the roasted chick peas the other night…oh my goodness! You’re right, one can won’t do it. We gobbled them up in a minute. I bought a lb. of dry ones (much cheaper, too) and I’m going to try making them that way, too.y ones
Bette – Haha!! Ya, they are definitely addictive! Glad you enjoyed the fritters!
I love fritters, love zucchini. Well done, Tiffany! Yum!
Maura – Thanks! Hope you enjoy them!
Tiffany- This recipe and others call for using a non-stick pan. I try to keep our cast iron pans well seasoned so they’re essentially “non-stick” but I question the use of teflon-type coatings because of health issues with them.. What do you think?
Jodi – I’ve read articles on this as well. I don’t use them often enough to consider it a real problem. BUT… the main thing is to be sure that a non-stick pan is in perfect condition. No scratches anywhere. It’s when they get scratched that the teflon gets into the food. At least that is my understanding. You could certainly do this in a cast iron pan with a light spray of oil though.
Oh my gosh, I just made these for lunch today and they were so tasty! I added a little sauteed onion and a couple spices to mine and made my own hummus! Mmmm 🙂 Great recipe, Tiffany!
Ari – Yay!!! I’m so happy you enjoyed them!
do you cook the oats first or put them in dry?
Amy – They are dry.
Maren – Haha! Why thank you! I hope you enjoy the fritters!
Kimzepp – thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed them!
Oh my gosh! This sounds like a great twist on my favorite breakfast (thanks to you) – protein pancakes! I can’t wait to try in the morning!
Cec – Let me know how you like them. 🙂
Dumb question, but what do you do with all the egg yolks? It kills me to throw them all away!
Sheri – You don’t have to. Simply substitute 1 whole egg for every 2 egg whites in this recipe. Enjoy!
I made these yesterday and they are a delicious snack topped with 2 tablespoons of hummus. I will make these again and again. Very satisfying!
Awesome! I enjoyed them with hummus as well.
I’m not sure on the freezing. I’ve never tried. If you are making them, just stick one in the freezer and see how it does. I hope you enjoy them!
My pleasure! Welcome!
Love me some Zucchini!!!
How do I make them gluten free.?
Just make sure you have gluten free oats.