Crispy Zucchini Fritters with a Zesty Lemon Twist

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These zucchini fritters are perfectly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, and the tangy tahini sauce complements them perfectly. Serve them as an appetizer or a side dish, and watch them disappear quickly!

Experience the delight of my Crispy Zucchini Fritters, a tantalizing way to savor your vegetables. Imagine crisp, golden-brown fritters, brimming with a symphony of flavors – from the zucchini’s gentle sweetness to the tangy kick of lemon zest, the herbal richness of cilantro and scallions, and the punchy saltiness of feta cheese. These Zucchini Fritters are a versatile addition to any meal, whether as a quick snack, a flavorful side dish, or a tantalizing appetizer. Enjoy them hot and sizzling straight from the skillet, or let them cool for a bite on the go.

You’re in for a treat if you’re new to zucchini fritters. My recipe elevates a traditional family favorite, utilizing the whole zucchini and blending a medley of savory ingredients for a layered and unforgettable taste. So, why wait? Dive into the zest-filled world of our Zucchini Fritters today!

Ingredients Crispy Zucchini Fritters

  • Zucchinis (shredded and strained): Offers a mild, fresh, and slightly earthy taste.
  • Lemon zest: Adds a vibrant citrusy aroma and tangy flavor.
  • Fresh cilantro (chopped): Infuses a bright, herbaceous, and slightly peppery note.
  • Scallions (chopped): Provides a mild onion-like flavor with sweetness.
  • Red chili (chopped, optional): Contributes heat and a subtle fruity essence if included.
  • Eggs: Offer richness and act as a binding agent.
  • Bread crumbs and flour: Provides texture and aid in achieving a crispy exterior.
  • Baking powder: Adds lightness and aeration to the fritters.
  • Dry dill: Imparts an herbal, slightly tangy, and earthy taste.
  • Sumac (optional): If used, add a tangy, citrusy flavor to enhance the overall taste.
  • Black pepper and salt: Balances and heightens the flavors of the fritters.
  • Olive oil for frying: Imparts a savory taste to the fritters while providing a crispy texture.

For the Tahini Sauce:

  • Tahini: Offers a creamy, nutty taste and texture.
  • Lemon juice: Provides a bright, tangy, and refreshing flavor.
  • Ice water: Helps achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
  • Salt and cumin: Enhance the flavors with savory and earthy notes.
  • Minced garlic clove: Adds a mild, aromatic garlic taste to the sauce.

Tips for Perfectly Crispy Zucchini Fritters

  • Shredding Zucchini: Start by shredding your zucchini into thin, uniform pieces. A box grater or a food processor can make this process quicker and easier. After shredding, sprinkle the zucchini with salt and let it sit for about 15 minutes. The salt helps draw out excess moisture from the zucchini.
  • Rinsing and Draining: After the 15-minute rest, rinse your zucchini under cold water and thoroughly squeeze out any remaining moisture using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Removing excess water is key to achieving crispy and delicious fritters.
  • Shaping: Shape your fritters to be approximately 1/2 inch in height and 3 inches in width. An ice cream scooper is handy for achieving the right size and shape. Scoop the mixture directly into the skillet, then use the back of a spoon to flatten it gently.
  • Texture Boost: To enhance the fritters’ texture, combine breadcrumbs and flour with a small amount of baking powder. This mixture adds crunchiness and a touch of fluffiness to the final result.
  • Cooking Temperature: When cooking fritters, maintain a medium-high heat. Cooking at too high a temperature can burn the outer layer before the inside is properly cooked.
  • Use up any leftover veggies from your fridge. Adding chopped bell peppers, carrots, or onions can improve texture and taste. Cheese is another great add-in – try feta, parmesan, or cheddar. For those who love trying new things, experiment with spices like cumin, paprika, or curry powder.

What to serve with zucchini fritters

Zucchini fritters are versatile dishes that can be served at any time of day and paired with various other foods. Try serving them with fried eggs and sliced avocado for a savory breakfast. If you’re serving them for lunch or dinner, they make a great side dish next to roasted chicken breast, panko-crusted halibut, or a serving of couscous. Or, for a vegetarian meal, pair the fritters with a slice of ricotta and pea pie. For a larger gathering, you can serve the fritters as an appetizer with dips, such as hummus or tzatziki, or alongside a mezze platter with olives, feta cheese, and pita bread. The possibilities are endless with these delicious and versatile fritters!

How to Make Crispy Zucchini Fritters with a Zesty Lemon Twist

Preparation

1.
Begin by washing the zucchinis and trimming off the ends. Shred the zucchinis using a box grater or food processor with a shredding attachment.

Once shredded, you need to remove the excess water. Put the shredded zucchini in a clean dish towel, or cheesecloth, and squeeze out as much water as possible. This step is crucial to prevent soggy fritters.
Mark as complete
2.
In a large bowl, add the strained zucchini and all other fritter ingredients: lemon zest, chopped cilantro, chopped scallions, chopped chili (if using), eggs, bread crumbs, flour, baking powder, dill, sumac (if using), black pepper, and salt.
Mix everything together until well combined.
Mark as complete
3.
Heat about 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon, scoop out portions of the mixture and drop them into the hot skillet. Use the back of your spoon or scoop to gently flatten the mixture into a patty.
Cook the fritters on one side for about 6 minutes, until golden brown. Then flip them over with a spatula and cook on the other side for another 6 minutes, until they're golden brown and crisp.
Mark as complete
4.
Repeat this process until all of your mixture is used up, adding more oil to the pan as needed.
Once cooked, remove the fritters from the pan and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove any excess oil.
Mark as complete
5.
To Make the tahini Sauce: Add all of the ingredients for the tahini sauce to a small bowl: tahini, lemon juice, ice water, a pinch of salt, a pinch of cumin, and minced garlic.
Use a whisk to thoroughly mix all the ingredients together until well combined and smooth. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.
Serve the zucchini fritters hot, with the tahini sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy your meal
Mark as complete

Ingredients:

1X 2X 3X
Adjust Servings
2 large zucchinis (shredded, and water strained)
1 lemon zest
¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
2 scallions (chopped)
½ red chili pepper (chopped optional)
2 whole eggs
2 tablespoons bread crumbs
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon dry dill
1 teaspoon sumac (optional)
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
olive oil for frying
For the tahini sauce
2 tablespoons tahini
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup ice water
a pinch of salt
a pinch of cumin
1 minced garlic clove

Preparation

1
Begin by washing the zucchinis and trimming off the ends. Shred the zucchinis using a box grater or food processor with a shredding attachment. Once shredded, you need to remove the excess water. Put the shredded zucchini in a clean dish towel, or cheesecloth, and squeeze out as much water as possible. This step is crucial to prevent soggy fritters.
2
In a large bowl, add the strained zucchini and all other fritter ingredients: lemon zest, chopped cilantro, chopped scallions, chopped chili (if using), eggs, bread crumbs, flour, baking powder, dill, sumac (if using), black pepper, and salt. Mix everything together until well combined.
3
Heat about 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon, scoop out portions of the mixture and drop them into the hot skillet. Use the back of your spoon or scoop to gently flatten the mixture into a patty. Cook the fritters on one side for about 6 minutes, until golden brown. Then flip them over with a spatula and cook on the other side for another 6 minutes, until they're golden brown and crisp.
4
Repeat this process until all of your mixture is used up, adding more oil to the pan as needed. Once cooked, remove the fritters from the pan and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove any excess oil.
5
To Make the tahini Sauce: Add all of the ingredients for the tahini sauce to a small bowl: tahini, lemon juice, ice water, a pinch of salt, a pinch of cumin, and minced garlic. Use a whisk to thoroughly mix all the ingredients together until well combined and smooth. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste. Serve the zucchini fritters hot, with the tahini sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy your meal

Rana’s Notes!

How to Know if the Fritters are Done? You can tell your zucchini fritters are done once both sides of the fritter are golden-brown. If you like them toastier, you can wait until they turn a deeper shade of brown. Cook these fritters for about 6 minutes on each side for the best result.
To make these fritters gluten-free, simply omit the all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs and use a combination of almond flour and ground walnuts instead. The result is a crispy and flavorful fritter that's perfect for anyone with gluten sensitivities. Serve with a creamy tahini sauce for a delicious and satisfying snack, appetizer, or side dish.
Suggestion for storing and reheating the zucchini fritters: Place leftover zucchini fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Preheat your oven to 350°F and place the fritters on a baking sheet to reheat and maintain their crispy texture. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until heated through and crispy. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side or until heated through and crispy. Avoid reheating them in the microwave, as this may make them soggy.
You can freeze zucchini fritters for later use. After cooking the fritters, let them cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or a Ziploc bag. Make sure to label the container with the date of freezing. To reheat the frozen fritters, preheat your oven to 375°F , place the frozen fritters on a baking sheet, and bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through and crispy. Avoid microwaving the frozen fritters, as this can make them soggy. It's best to consume the frozen fritters within 2-3 months for optimal taste and texture.

Nutrition Information

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.

rana

By Rana

Thanks for visiting my Mediterranean food blog and welcome to my virtual kitchen! Here, you’ll find mouth-watering, wholesome, and nutritious Mediterranean recipes that will change the way you view cooking.

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    2 Comments

    • Terri

      I followed this recipe as written and the flavors were fantastic. The fritters required a bit of prep, but so worth it! The directions were clear, concise and full of helpful and education tips.
      The tahini sauce was the tastiest I have ever had. I will def make this again . Five stars! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

      • Rana Madanat

        Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the flavors and found the directions helpful. It’s always a joy to know that the effort put into the prep was worthwhile for our readers. I’m especially glad to hear that the tahini sauce was a hit!Looking forward to sharing more recipes with you. Happy cooking!

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