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    Home » Recipes » Appetizer Recipes

    Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Fritters

    Published: Aug 8, 2020 · Modified: Jun 16, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 14 Comments

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    Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Fritters, Pancakes, Patties or Bites are so tasty, baked or fried, with parmesan or feta, this appetizer or side recipe is amazing!

    Cheesy Zucchini Fritters

    Although zucchini is considered a vegetable, it's really a fruit! It's origins came from Central and South America, then the infamous Christopher Columbus introduced it to Europe and Africa. 

    The types of zucchini we see today came from Italy and finally made its way to North America by Italian immigrants in the 1920s.

    Low in calories and vitamin packed, zucchini can be enjoyed in countless ways and these cheesy zucchini fritters are one tasty example!

    If zucchini is plentiful and you're a lover of it, these cheesy zucchini fritters are such a delight, they're almost too good to be true.

    I make these cheesy zucchini fritters all year long and any old excuse will do.

    My supply of zucchini seems endless and that's not a complaint!

    In addition to these cheesy zucchini fritters, I have listed a number of my incredible zucchini recipes that I'm hoping will give you nothing but pleasure.

    I can't decide which recipe I enjoy most and for the record, my husband can't make up his mind either! 

    Although my son doesn't live with us anymore, I'm pretty sure he'd say the same thing.  

    Let me know what your favorites are. I'd be really interested in hearing them.

    Even though I have a lot of zucchini recipes, I'm always on the hunt for more and my door is wide open to the possibilities!  So, stay tuned. 

    Crispy Zucchini Fritters

    Making sure you get as much water out of your zucchini as possible is the most important issue.

    This easy technique works really well, as long as you don't rush it. Cutting corners will hurt the end result and you don't want that.

    Salt the zucchini and sit it in a strainer for as close to 30 minutes as you possibly can.

    Toss the zucchini two or three times throughout that time period. 

    The less moisture, the greater the chances your cheesy zucchini fritters will hold together well.

    Knead or press grated zucchini (repeatedly) against the bottom and sides of the strainer to push the water through.

    Use paper towel to squeeze the zucchini until there is almost no more water left.

    When making crispy zucchini fritters for the the first time, grate the zucchini instead of shredding it. Makes it so much easier to work with and your zucchini pancakes will turn out amazing!

    Depending on the moisture level in the zucchini, more bread crumbs or almond flour (if keto) might be needed to help bind these crispy zucchini fritters.  

    Bottom line is: the less moisture, the better formed your zucchini fritters will be. 

    Then making them will be nothing but smooth sailing!

    Zucchini Pancakes 

    When making zucchini pancakes, first decide whether you want to grate or shred your zucchini in a food processor or with a good old fashioned box grater..

    Many assume grating and shredding are the same thing but they're not as the look and texture is entirely different.

    The only common denominator between grating and shredding is that the infamous box grater can easily do both! 

    Shredding is generally achieved by using the side of the box grater that has the bigger sized holes. This results in long, smoothly cut strips that cook quicker than diced.

    Grating creates short, very tiny pieces that is accomplished with the side of the grater that has tiny holes.

    My love and desire to share this recipe was so great, it was one of the first ones I published. The world needed to hear about it!

    The photo below shows these zucchini pancakes were made with grated zucchini (not shredded).

    Grated zucchini gives these zucchini cakes a much smoother texture. If you prefer a coarser look and feel, shredding is the way to go.

    Whether you decide to shred or grate zucchini, the flavor is never lost as both ways taste absolutely fabulous! 

    An old picture that shows what Cheesy Zucchini Cakes look like that use grated zucchini and not shredded. Zucchini Fritters are covered in parmesan cheese on a white plate with sour cream dip in the middle of the plate in a black cup.

    Each picture in this post shows these cheesy zucchini fritters were shredded, except the one above this sentence.

    The zucchini is featured more prominently here. Can you see the difference? I bet you can now!

    Zucchini Pancake Recipe

    Again, grating the zucchini the first time you make this zucchini pancake recipe is highly recommended as it so much easier to get water out of smaller pieces. 

    That being said, both methods will work well and taste is what really matters most.

    Once more, grating or shredding can be achieved by using the food processor or with the good old reliable box grater. 

    My box grater is so old, I'm ashamed to mention its age. Still works like a charm though each and every time!

    My husband and son never cared whether I shredded or grated the zucchini. Eaten both ways, they still disappear with lightning speed!

    Wonderfully crispy on the outside, these tasty treats will become part of your regular rotation!

    Zucchini Fritter Recipe

    Patience is definite requirement when making this super simple and delicious zucchini fritter recipe.

    When my son first made zucchini fritters for himself, patience wasn't at the top of the list and he made the mistake of not allowing the zucchini to dry out enough. 

    He may have gotten his impatience from me as I'm not good at waiting either. But in this case, I had to make an exception.

    Remember to knead and press your grated zucchini firmly against the bottom and sides of the strainer to push the water through the holes.

    Squeeze the remaining water out of the zucchini by using napkins or paper towel.

    Again, if  there's too much water left in your zucchini, add more bread crumbs (or almond flour if keto) so the zucchini fritters will maintain their shape during the cooking process.

    Patrick helped me countless times over the years with other zucchini recipes, like this Meaty Zucchini Casserole or our Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread . 

    If you enjoy casseroles, the zucchini crust or base is DEFINITELY WORTH A LOOK .

    I was shocked when my son told me how much trouble he had making the zucchini crust. He's been my trusted assistant making this recipe so many times, I figured he could have done it in his sleep! 

    Boy oh boy was I wrong. Then again, it came down to patience or the lack there of.

    But I digress. Back to zucchini fritters. 

    Baked Zucchini Fritters

    Why I always fried rather than baked zucchini fritters is not clear. When I posed this question to my husband, he said, "aren't they supposed to be fried?".

    It's so true as I often fry these Butternut Squash Potato Cakes and Cheesy Zucchini Potato Pancakes.

    Although rare, I have baked zucchini fritters before and I remember we thoroughly enjoyed them! 

    Baking saves on calories and you're not sacrificing on taste. So, there's no good excuse.

    Keep an eye when baking these zucchini fritters as the timing will depend on the size.

    Everyone has their own interpretation of what a medium zucchini looks like and for that reason, they will be slightly different. 

    Brown the zucchini fritters to your liking.

    Remove baked zucchini fritters from the oven and serve hot, warm or cool; with or without cheese or a dip!

    The fritters in the photo look at little dark for some, but that's how we like them. After shooting this video, they disappeared with warp speed!

    They always do.

    Ingredients in Cheesy Zucchini Fritters

    • zucchini
    • salt
    • onion (regular or green)
    • Parmesan or feta cheese
    • egg
    • crumbs (panko or bread) or almond flour if keto
    • parsley
    • pepper
    • oil for frying

    How to make Cheesy Zucchini Cakes

    Grate zucchini, place into a strainer and sprinkle with salt.

    Let sit for at least 15 minutes (30 minutes is ideal), to get the moisture out. Toss zucchini a couple of times.

    Knead or press zucchini against the bottom and sides of the strainer pushing the water through.

    Use paper towel to squeeze the zucchini until there is almost no more water coming out.

    In a large bowl combine zucchini, feta or Parmesan, garlic, onion (regular or green), parsley, crumbs and egg.

    Season with salt and pepper.

    Depending on the amount of water left in your zucchini, you might need to add more crumbs to form the mixture into "cakes" or "burgers".

    Fry

    Place a few tablespoons of oil in a large skillet, over medium to medium high heat.

    Wait until the oil shimmers or when a drop of water flicks and dances.

    Gently place "burgers" or "cakes" in oil until golden brown; about to 6 minutes.

    Remove from skillet and place on paper towels.

    Bake

    Preheat oven to 400 degrees, line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

    Spray with cooking spray.

    Bake for 10 – 12 minutes, flip and bake for another 10 – 12 minutes. 

    Make these cheesy zucchini cakes as big or as small as you like. I usually end up with between 12 and 14 of them, unless I make them small, like our Broccoli Tots.

    Timing is everything, so watch them closely. 

    Remove from the oven.

    To Serve

    Add Parmesan or feta to top of "cakes" while hot (if desired).

    Serve hot, warm or cool with Greek yogurt, sour cream or a sour cream based dip.

    Enjoy!

    Zucchini Parmesan Bites

    Zucchini and Parmesan cheese are beyond best friends as the evidence shows in these Zucchini Parmesan Bites. If you need a reason to use Parmesan cheese (more specifically, Parmigiano Reggiano) it has numerous advantages.

    Parmesan cheese is much higher in protein compared to other cheeses and contains minerals, Omega 3 and Vitamin K. The latter is known for bone health and the reduction of osteoarthritis. Parmesan cheese has little lactose and digests better than other cheeses.

    Learning what Parmesan cheese can do for you is one thing. Trying these zucchini Parmesan bites is quite another! Although other cheeses will work well in this recipe, the creaminess and nuttiness of the Parmesan cheese will bring quality to these bites like no other!

    Zucchini and Vegetable Appetizers 

    Zucchini and Vegetable Appetizers can be such a party hit, snack or side dish and you get to choose the shape or size you want them to be.

    Speaking of vegetables, if you're a broccoli fan, don't miss out on these Easy Cheesy Broccoli Tots.

    If you let these Cheesy Zucchini Potato Pancakes pass you by, you don't know what you're missing! It's just one of the fantastic zucchini recipes listed below.

    Another excellent vegetable fritter option are Butternut Squash Potato Cakes that are out of this world delicious! 

    Each recipe is delicious, healthy and unique in its own way. Although they take a little time to prepare, they're definitely worth the effort!

    Finish them off with a dip of ketchup, Greek yogurt, sour cream or your favorite sour cream based dip. 

    The Best Zucchini Recipes

    Granny’s Easy Zucchini Casserole

    Our Favorite Zucchini Casserole

    Easy Zucchini Pizza Bites

    Mom’s Zucchini Casserole

    Baked Italian Zucchini Casserole

    Cheesy Zucchini Potato Cakes

    Pork Chop Zucchini Casserole

    Meaty Zucchini Casserole

    Fabulous Stuffed Zucchini Boats

    Crispy Parmesan Zucchini

     Easy Zucchini Pizza Boats


    Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Fritters Video

    YouTube video
    Cheesy Zucchini Cakes

    Cheesy Zucchini Fritters

    Karin and Ken
    Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Fritters, Pancakes, Patties or Bites are so tasty, baked or fried, with Parmesan or feta, this appetizer or side recipe is amazing!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine American

    Equipment

    • rimmed baking sheet with a rack or a large skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 medium zucchini
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 1 small onion or green onion
    • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
    • ¼-1/3 cup parmesan or feta cheese grated or crumbled
    • 1 large egg lightly beaten
    • ½ cup bread crumbs
    • ¼ cup parsley dried
    • pepper
    • salt
    • oil for frying
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Bring out and measure all of your ingredients.
      Cheesy Zucchini Cakes
    • Grate zucchini, place into a strainer and sprinkle with salt.
      Cheesy Zucchini Cakes
    • Let sit for at least 15 minutes, (30 minutes is ideal, to get the moisture out) and toss your zucchini a couple of times.
    • Knead or press zucchini against the bottom and sides of the strainer pushing the water through.
    • Use paper towel to squeeze the zucchini. Do this until there is almost no more water coming out.
    • In a large bowl, combine the zucchini, feta or Parmesan, garlic, onion (or green onion), parsley, bread crumbs and egg.
      Cheesy Zucchini Cakes
    • Season with salt and pepper.
    • Depending on the amount of water left in your zucchini, you may need to add more bread crumbs so that you can form the mixture into "cakes" or "burgers".
      Cheesy Zucchini Cakes

    FRY

    • In a large skillet, over medium to medium high heat, place a few tablespoons of oil. Wait until the oil shimmers or when a drop of water flicks and dances in it.
    • Gently place "burgers" or "cakes" in oil and cook until golden brown; about 5 to 6 minutes.
      Cheesy Zucchini Cakes
    • Remove from skillet and place on paper towels.
      Cheesy Zucchini Cakes

    BAKE

    • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper and cooking spray. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes, flip and bake for another 10 – 12 minutes.
    • Serve with Greek yogurt, sour cream or your favorite sour cream based dip. Enjoy!
      Cheesy Zucchini Cakes

    TO SERVE

    • Top cakes with Parmesan or feta , if desired. Serve hot, warm or cool. If you love dips, have a look at our Best Dips Ever for some great ideas! If you need more zucchini recipes I hope you'll look at our Summer Squash and Zucchini Recipes.. Enjoy!
      Cheesy Zucchini Cakes
    Keyword baked zucchini, easy zucchini, zucchini cake, zucchini fritter, zucchini pancake, zucchini parmesan bites
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
     
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    Comments

    1. Patty says

      August 09, 2023 at 4:50 pm

      5 stars
      delish!
      I did add a bit of jalapeños and shredded carrot.
      Service with alouette cheese or salsa. Even with no topping you can't lose.
      thanks, wii certainly make these again

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        August 09, 2023 at 5:57 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for letting me know! You made my day. All the best. Karin

    2. Chris says

      April 20, 2023 at 11:29 am

      5 stars
      thanks. This is amazing with a side of eggs or anything really. So deliciously refreshing! They are a home run every time! Love the flavor. Love everything about them. Thx for sharing 💕

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        August 09, 2023 at 6:00 pm

        I love these too. Easy and delicious. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. It makes my day when someone enjoys one of these recipes. All the best. Karin

    3. saskia de troyer says

      September 17, 2022 at 6:29 am

      5 stars
      dank je wel voor deze mooie reseptjes ik ga volop proberen ze te maken maar moet eerst omrekenen want bij ons hier in Belgie is het gram kilogram en miiliters en liters maar ik ga lekker uitproberen dank je wel voor de vele variaties die je hebt en erg goed uitgelegt dank je wel doe zo verder

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        September 18, 2022 at 10:37 am

        Translated: thank you for these beautiful recipes I will try to make them but first have to convert because with us here in Belgium it is grams kilograms and miiliters and liters but I am going to try them out thank you for the many variations you have and very good explained thank you keep it up.
        Hello in Belgium! I feel awful. That never even crossed my mind. I will see what I can do to fix that! Thank you for your comment! I’m truly grateful. Take care. Talk soon. Karin

    4. Sam says

      August 30, 2020 at 7:13 pm

      5 stars
      I love these and so does my family. Thank you for sharing this easy recipe. Love the site.

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        September 05, 2020 at 3:42 pm

        You are most welcome. Thank you for your kind words. I try my best. I'm so grateful to have you with me on my food journey! Enjoy your day. Karin

    5. Andi says

      March 05, 2020 at 10:10 am

      5 stars
      Added in some jalapeños and they were perfect Will definitely make again Thx

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        March 05, 2020 at 10:17 am

        I bet they were tasty with some heat! Glad you enjoyed them! Take care and enjoy your day! Karin

    6. Max says

      March 05, 2020 at 10:09 am

      So Easy and a Great Way to Use Up All of my Zucchinis Thank you

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        March 05, 2020 at 10:16 am

        I feel the exact same way! All the best. Karin

    7. Mina says

      March 05, 2020 at 10:07 am

      5 stars
      These are delicious Thank you for sharing

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        March 05, 2020 at 10:16 am

        As always you are most welcome! Happy to hear I’m not the only one who loves these! Take care and enjoy your day! Karin

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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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