Zucchini Fritters Side Dish Recipe: Easy and Delicious

There’s something so satisfying about shredding fresh summer zucchini, squeezing out the moisture, and watching little golden cakes sizzle in a hot pan. This zucchini fritters side dish recipe turns garden abundance into crispy, tender bites that disappear fastperfect alongside grilled chicken or tucked into dinner any night of the week.

I started making these back in 2019 when a neighbor dropped off six enormous zucchini on my doorstep, and I’ve been hooked ever since. The trick I learned after dozens of batches? Squeeze that shredded zucchini twiceonce in a towel, then again with your handsso the fritters get truly crispy instead of soggy. After ten years of recipe testing, I can tell you these hold up beautifully and reheat like a dream.

Olivia Farnsworth

Zucchini Fritters Side Dish Recipe: Easy and Delicious

These crispy, protein-packed zucchini fritters are made with clean ingredients, making them a perfect choice for a healthy side dish or snack. This Zucchini Fritters Side Dish Recipe is quick to prepare and ideal for clean eating or fitness-focused meals.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 130

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 medium zucchinis, grated
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup oat flour or almond flour for low-carb option
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese optional but adds richness and crispness
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced
• 1/4 tsp teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano or thyme
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or dill
• 1 tbsp olive oil or olive oil spray for pan-frying

Method

 

1. Grate the zucchinis and press firmly to remove as much liquid as possible.
2. In a mixing bowl, stir together the zucchini, eggs, flour or low-carb substitute, herbs, spices, and any additional ingredients until you have a coherent batter.
3. Warm a non-stick frying pan with a small amount of olive oil over medium heat.
4. Spoon about a quarter cup of the mixture into the pan and gently press down to shape fritters.
5. Cook each fritter for approximately 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and are cooked through.
6. Transfer the fritters to paper towels to drain any excess oil and serve them warm.

Notes

• Make sure to squeeze out all excess moisture from the zucchini to help create crispier fritters. These can be enjoyed with Greek yogurt dip, tzatziki, or fresh herbs for extra flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in a skillet or oven to maintain texture. For a lower-carb version, substitute oat flour with almond or coconut flour. A great complement to clean-eating or fitness meal plans.

Why You’ll Love This Zucchini Fritters Side Dish Recipe

These golden fritters hit all the right notescrispy edges, tender centers, and packed with protein from eggs and Greek yogurt. They’re healthier than your typical fried side dish, but still feel totally indulgent.

• Quick enough for weeknights: From grate to plate in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for busy evenings when you need something fresh and satisfying.
• Sneaky veggie win: Even picky eaters love thesethe zucchini melts into tender bites with crispy, savory edges that make vegetables feel like a treat.
• Meal-prep friendly: Make a double batch and reheat in a skillet or oven throughout the week for lunches, snacks, or easy sides.
• Clean eating without compromise: Made with oat flour, fresh herbs, and real ingredients you can pronounceno weird fillers or heavy breading.

Ingredient Notes & Smart Swaps

The beauty of this recipe is how flexible it is while still delivering that crispy-tender texture we’re after. Here’s what you need to know about the lineup:

Zucchini is the starmedium-sized ones work best because they’re less watery than giant garden monsters. Oat flour keeps things light and slightly nutty; swap in almond flour if you’re going low-carb. The Parmesan cheese is optional but highly recommendedit adds a salty richness and helps with browning. Greek yogurt or cottage cheese brings moisture and protein without making the batter heavy. Fresh parsley or dill adds brightness; use whichever you have on hand or love most.

How the Magic Happens

The secret to crispy fritters is all about moisture controlwatery batter equals soggy cakes. After years of testing batches, I learned to squeeze the grated zucchini twice: once wrapped in a kitchen towel, then again with clean hands over the sink. You’ll be shocked how much liquid comes out.

Once your zucchini is dry, everything comes together fast. Mix the eggs, flour, cheese, yogurt, garlic, and herbs in a bowl, fold in the zucchini, and you’ve got a thick, scoopable batter. Heat your skillet over medium heat with just a tablespoon of olive oiltoo hot and they’ll burn before cooking through; too cool and they’ll soak up oil and turn greasy.

Scoop about a quarter cup of batter per fritter, flatten gently with the back of your spoon, and let them sizzle undisturbed for 3-4 minutes. Flip once you see golden edges, then cook the other side until crisp. Drain on paper towels and serve warm for the best texture.

Troubleshooting & Pro Tips

• Fritters falling apart? Your zucchini likely still had too much moisture. Squeeze harder next time, or let the grated zucchini sit in a colander with a pinch of salt for 10 minutes before squeezing.
• Not crispy enough? Don’t crowd the pangive each fritter space so steam can escape. Also, make sure your oil is shimmering before you add the batter.
• Too thick or dry? Add an extra tablespoon of Greek yogurt or a splash of water to loosen the batter slightly.
• Want more flavor? A pinch of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes in the batter adds a nice kick without extra calories.

Serving & Storage Ideas

These fritters shine alongside grilled chicken, salmon, or a big leafy salad. I love serving them with a dollop of Greek yogurt mixed with lemon juice and dillit’s like a quick homemade tzatziki that takes seconds to stir together.

For meal prep, stack cooled fritters between parchment paper in an airtight container and refrigerate up to four days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side to bring back the crispness, or pop them in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes. They also freeze beautifully for up to three monthsjust thaw overnight and reheat as usual.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of oat flour and Greek yogurt creates structure without heaviness, while the eggs bind everything together. Squeezing out moisture is the non-negotiable stepit transforms the texture from mushy to crispy-edged perfection. The herbs and garlic bring warmth and freshness, and that optional Parmesan? It caramelizes beautifully on the outside for extra flavor.

What makes this zucchini fritters side dish recipe a keeper is how well it fits into any meal planwhether you’re focused on clean eating, need a high-protein side, or just want something delicious that uses up summer squash. They’re versatile, forgiving, and always disappear fast at my table.

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FAQs (Zucchini Fritters Side Dish Recipe)

You’ll love how this zucchini fritters side dish recipe comes together in under thirty minutes and delivers that perfect golden-crisp texture every single time. The aroma of garlic and fresh herbs sizzling in the pan never gets old, and watching these disappear at dinner reminds me why I keep making batch after batch. They’re tender inside, crispy outside, and exactly the kind of comfort food that feels nourishing instead of heavy.

Try tucking leftovers into a pita with hummus and greens for lunchit’s become my favorite weekday shortcut. A drizzle of lemon juice right before serving brightens everything beautifully, and swapping in fresh dill instead of parsley gives them a summery twist my aunt used to love. These reheat so well in a hot skillet that I often double the recipe just to have extras ready for busy mornings or last-minute dinners.

I’d love to hear if you served these alongside grilled chicken or tucked them into wrapstag me in your kitchen photos so I can cheer you on! Did zucchini fritters show up at your family table growing up, or is this a brand-new adventure for you? Save this recipe for the next time your garden or neighbor’s kindness leaves you with more summer squash than you know what to do with, and share it with someone who needs an easy, delicious side dish in their life.