I've tried many a recipe for gluten-free Baked Zucchini Fritters. With this recipe, I have finally succeeded in making a baked zucchini fritter that not only tastes delicious but also holds together and gets nice and crispy in the oven. And without breadcrumbs.
What Is A Fritter?
A fritter, according to Encyclopedia Brittanica, is pretty much any food that you can bread or dip in batter and deep-fry. Technically, this means that this recipe doesn't qualify as a fritter since it is, after all, baked and not fried. You can also call these oven-fried fritters, similar to my Oven Fried Green Tomatoes recipe, as well as these Gluten-Free Buffalo Cauliflower Bites.
However, I'm still calling them fritters, regardless of the definition. Because these gluten-free bites are everything you want in a fritter. They're crispy and golden on the outside, tender on the inside.
Why Zucchini Fritters?
I grow zucchini every year and always need to come up with new recipes. This one is amazingly delicious! Do you grow zucchini, or know someone who does? If so, then you know that you can never have too many zucchini recipes. This recipe is one more to add to your zucchini repertoire.
A Key Ingredient: Parmesan Cheese
Besides zucchini, Parmesan cheese is a star ingredient in these fritters. Parmesan makes them cheesy and delicious, and because it always crisps up so nicely in the oven, it contributes to the crisp golden exterior of the patty. It's important to use a good quality, freshly grated Parmesan for best results in any dish. I like Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Why Are My Fritters Soggy?
There are a few reasons that you could end up with soggy fritters.
The main reason is not removing excess water. Zucchini squash has very high water content, so it's important, for this recipe, that we remove as much water as possible from the grated squash. I like using cheesecloth and I keep it around for making jelly and lots of other recipes.
I've tried pressing the water out over a sieve with the back of a spoon, but it just doesn't work as well as squeezing. If you don't have cheesecloth, you can use a clean, thin kitchen towel to squeeze out as much water as possible.
Another reason for soggy baked zucchini fritters may be about oven temperature. You need a high oven temperature to successfully make this recipe. I use an oven temp of 400° because I'm using parchment paper. You should aim for that temp if you're using parchment paper, like me. Any hotter is not really recommended when using parchment. However, if you omit the parchment and use a little more oil, you can bake them in at 425°. Just watch them carefully as the baking time will be reduced.
How To Eat Baked Zucchini Fritters
These are fritters are delicious either hot or cold, and make a perfect game day appetizer with a dipping sauce like sriracha mayo (I used wasabi mayo here). Some other delicious ways to enjoy them:
- As a meal, topped with sour cream and served with a salad.
- As a base for bruschetta.
- Topped with a poached egg and hollandaise for a gluten-free benedict.
- As a veggie burger patty
Can I Make these Fritters Ahead?
Yes, you can make these ahead. They taste even better the next day. They will keep for a couple of days in the fridge, stored in an airtight container. If you want to reheat them, just put them in the oven for a few minutes until heated through.
You can also freeze them and defrost or reheat them from frozen. To freeze, cool completely, then freeze them on a tray until firm. Pack them in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Need More Zucchini Recipes?
Here are a couple more for you. Try Vegetable Zucchini Noodle Soup, Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread or Zucchini Tomato Bake
Baked Zucchini Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium zucchini unpeeled, about 12"
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ small onion finely diced
- 2 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup chickpea flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°
- Line a 16" x 12" baking pan with parchment, and brush or spray the parchment with olive oil
- Using a food processor or a box grater, shred zucchini and sprinkle it with salt.
- Put the grated zucchini in batches in the center of a couple of layers of cheesecloth, or use a clean kitchen towel. Form a "bag" around the zucchini and really squeeze as much water as you can from it. You want the zucchini to be as dry as possible. Let the zucchini sit in a strainer while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. When as much moisture as possible is removed, you should have about 2 cups of zucchini, but a little more or less will be fine.
- In a large bowl combine eggs, Parmesan, garlic, onion, basil and pepper
- After giving the grated zucchini one more squeeze, in batches, add it to the Parmesan mixture and stir well to combine.
- Stir in the chickpea flour, combining thoroughly
- Form the batter into 12 balls (each ball will be a little less than ¼ cup)
- Put the balls, evenly spaced, on the prepared baking sheet and flatten with the back of a spoon to form patties
- Bake in the center of the oven for 12minutes
- Flip the patties and bake 12 more minutes
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot or allow to cool and refrigerate.
melanie
This recipe worked perfectly! Thank you for a great guide. I made them this morning and they were delicious. As I was eating them, I thought of so many variations I could do! And yes, the zucchini resting with the addition of salt IS NECESSARY. I was surprised at how much liquid was still there.
Colleen
Hi Melanie! I'm happy to hear the zucchini fritters worked out perfectly for you! And I'm glad you heeded the advice about removing the liquid. Thanks for your feedback, it means a lot!
Chef Bega
Oh Colleen, they look so yummy and delicious,I'll surprise tomorrow my pregnant wife with your recipe. I'll let you know about her opinion. Thank you so much.
Colleen
I hope you and your wife love these fritters!
Kristen Kaethler
These are so yummy! Can't wait to make them again, we're all out of zucchini finally, but I still have scallopini squash so I might try with that.
Colleen
Hi Kristen, I'm so happy that you loved these as much as we did. And scallopini squash would work wonderfully, I bet!
NANCY
These looks great! Can't wait to make these for my kid.
Colleen
Kids love these, Nancy!
Vanessa
I just want to dig right in! They look so perfectly golden and delicious. All I need is a dip and I am set!
Colleen
Hi Vanessa. Yes these fritters are perfect for dipping!
Bernice Hill
Well, they look like fritters to me. Congratulations on your perseverance, they look very delicious!
Colleen
Thanks Bernice, they are yummy!
stefani
You had me at "hello zucchini".
I like baking instead of frying. This recipe is MUST.
Thank you.
Colleen
You're welcome Stefani! Enjoy.
Amy Wood
MAKE THESE YESTERDAY!!! Absolutely delicious, savory and mouth watering. I used almond flour instead of chickpea and it’s still so delicious and wonderful! Thank You!
Colleen
Hi Amy! I'm so happy that you loved these zucchini fritters! Thanks for sharing about the almond flour tweak, too! Did you use the oven or the air fryer?
Kushigalu
Love how crispy these zucchini fritters look. My hubby would love these. Making it soon. Thanks for sharing
Colleen
Enjoy these, Kushi!
Nart at Cooking with Nart
These are so delicious. I'm not ever my zucchini cravings yet this year lol
Colleen
Hey Nart, me either! Glad you love these!
Dannii
My kids love these, but I have not tried them baked before. Definitely giving that a try.
Colleen
Hi Dannii, I love baking them vs frying. Just as yummy, but without the mess and grease.
Jessie
Such and amazing and tasty way to use up those garden zucchini!
Colleen
Right, Jessie? So glad you like these!
veenaazmanov
This is definitely healthy, crispy, vegetarian and so easy to make too. Best as a tea time snack for sure.
Colleen
A great way to enjoy these, Veena!