Easy Vegan Zucchini Fritters
These easy vegan zucchini fritters are crispy on the outside, tender in the middle, and packed with fresh zucchini flavor. They’re a delicious way to use up summer zucchini, and you can pan-fry them, bake them, or make them in the air fryer. Serve these zucchini fritters with vegan sour cream, plain vegan yogurt, lemon wedges, or your favorite dipping sauce for an easy appetizer, side dish, or light meal.
Servings: 9 large fritters (or about 24 mini fritters)
Ingredients
For the zucchini:
- 2 lbs zucchini (about 4 medium zucchini)
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the fritters:
- 2 tablespoons ground flax or ground chia
- 5 tablespoons warm water
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (see notes for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 green onions chopped
- light oil or frying (such as canola or vegetable)
- Optional for serving: vegan sour cream or plain vegan yogurt, lemon wedges, your favorite dipping sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchini: Wash the zucchini and trim off the ends. Using the large holes of a box grater, or the grater attachment on a food processor, grate the zucchini. Transfer it to a large bowl and toss with 1 teaspoon of salt. Let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out the moisture.
- Squeeze out the moisture: Transfer the grated zucchini to a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze very well to remove as much liquid as possible. This step is key for crispy zucchini fritters, so really wring it out well.
- Make the binder: Stir together the ground flax or ground chia with the warm water. Set aside to thicken. If using flax, this will take about 10 minutes. If using chia, it will thicken almost right away.
- Mix the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Add the squeezed zucchini, thickened flax or chia mixture, and green onions. Mix well. The mixture will be sticky and moist but should not be wet or runny. If it seems too wet to hold its shape, mix in 1 to 2 more tablespoons of flour as needed.
- Pan-fry the fritters: Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil to a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat. For large fritters, scoop about ⅓ cup (about 75 g) of the mixture per fritter. For mini fritters, about 2 tablespoons (about 30 g). Gently place the mixture into the pan and use a spatula to flatten and shape the fritters. Cook for about 4 to 6 minutes per side, or until deeply golden brown and cooked through. Thicker fritters may take a little longer. Transfer the cooked fritters to a paper towel-lined plate and repeat with the remaining mixture, adding more oil as needed and adjusting the heat if needed.
- Serve: Serve warm with vegan sour cream or plain vegan yogurt, lemon wedges, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Storage: Store leftover zucchini fritters in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Place the fritters in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Reheat in a 375℉ (190℃) oven or air fryer for 5 to 10 minutes, until heated through and crisp again. You can also reheat them in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat for a few minutes per side.
How do I keep zucchini fritters from getting soggy? The most important step is squeezing out as much moisture as possible from the zucchini. A clean kitchen towel works especially well for this.
Can I bake zucchini fritters? Yes. Preheat your oven to 400℉ (200℃). Lightly grease a large baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. Form the fritters and place them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. If the mixture feels sticky, wet your hands to help pat them into shape. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until browned and cooked through. Mini fritters may need less time.
Can I air fry zucchini fritters? Yes. Preheat your air fryer to 375℉ (190℃). Spray the basket with oil, then place the formed fritters in a single layer in the basket. Work in batches as needed. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Mini fritters may cook faster.
For oil-free: Use the baked or air fryer method instead of pan-frying.
For gluten-free: Use a good 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Results may vary slightly depending on the brand.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 fritter (recipe makes 9 fritters) | Calories: 82kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 380mg | Potassium: 306mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 242IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg
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