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Yields:
10
Prep Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Also known as zucchini fritters, these easy zucchini cakes are a summertime favorite. They're the perfect way to use up an abundance of zucchini, along with making Lemon Zucchini Bread, of course. These simple fritters are quickly shallow-fried and make a great side dish for dinner or a light lunch. They can even be easily adapted to fit whatever you're looking for!
Make it Keto
To make these keto-friendly, simply leave out the bread crumbs and decrease ricotta to 1/4 cup.
Make it Paleo
For a paleo diet, leave out the bread crumbs, ricotta, and Parmesan. The fritters will still stick together with just eggs! To cook the cakes, skip the oil and add 4 tbsp. butter instead. You'll be searing them instead of panfrying them!
Make it Vegan
To make it vegan, leave out the eggs, ricotta, and Parmesan. Add bread crumbs and form patties together with your hands before adding to skillet. These will cook more quickly, so check on them after 2 minutes.
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Ingredients
- 2
large zucchini
- 2
large eggs
- 1/2 cup
bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup
ricotta
- 1/4 cup
freshly grated Parmesan
- 1/2 tsp.
garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp.
crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil, for cooking
Directions
For the Stovetop:
- Step 1Grate zucchini on box grater, then use a clean kitchen towel to ring out as much excess water as possible. Work in batches as necessary.
- Step 2In a large bowl, combine zucchini, eggs, bread crumbs, ricotta, Parmesan, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 3In a large skillet over medium heat, add enough oil to come ½" up the sides. Scoop about a ¼ cup of zucchini mixture and add to skillet. Carefully flatten with a spatula and cook until golden, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Place on a paper towel–lined plate, sprinkle with salt and serve.
For the Air Fryer:
- Step 1Grate zucchini on box grater, then use a clean kitchen towel to ring out as much excess water as possible. Work in batches as necessary.
- Step 2In a large bowl, combine zucchini, eggs, bread crumbs, ricotta, Parmesan, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 3Using your hands, scoop up about 1/4 cup of zucchini mixture and flatten it into a patty. Place in air-fryer basket. Repeat to fill basket, spacing patties at least 1" apart.
- Step 4Brush patties with oil, if using. Cook at 400° until golden, 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Step 5Sprinkle with more salt before serving.
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