Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash Fritters

These Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash Fritters are perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Made with Zucchini, Squash and Parmesan, these fritters are nutritious and so delicious that even the pickiest eaters will love. Try this tasty side that's perfect for breakfast or as a snack!

These Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash Fritters have been a hit ever since I made these at my home! They are crispy and golden brown on the outside but tender and warm on the inside. Plus they are so versatile, can be made in batches with different variations which your whole family will love!

This recipe works easiest in the air fryer as it whips up dishes fast and is relatively mess free! I've tried everything in the air fryer from frozen zucchini fries, air fryer squash chips, and even sweet potato home fries - they all turn out fantastic!

What You Will Love About This Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash Fritters Recipe

• Easy to Make: This recipe has less than 10 ingredients and requires minimal prep time. All you need are a few simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry to whip up this delicious dish!
• Made Fast: If made in the air fryer, this recipe can be made in 20 minutes or less - making it perfect for last minute meals for hungry snackers.
• Kid Friendly: Even the pickiest eaters are going to love these fritters! Zucchini is mild in flavor and absorbs other flavors and contrasts with parmesan cheese very well.
• Healthy: These are healthy alternative to traditional potato fritters and are light in calories (approximately 100 calories per fritter). Plus zucchini and squash are full of vitamins, low in carbs and nutrient dense. Plus you can even make them oil free for an even more healthy version.

Ingredients Needed

This recipe has less than 10 ingredients, most of which you can find in your pantry. For this recipe you will need the following:

• Zucchini and Squash: For this recipe, i used 1.5 cups of grated zucchini and ½ cup of yellow squash. The squash is optional and is totally fine to skip if you don't have any handy.
• Flour: This recipe uses all 1 cup of purpose flour, but can be easily swapped with a gluten free flour to make this into a gluten free dish.
• Eggs: You will need 1 egg or a binding agent like aquafaba to mold these into fritter shape
• Parmesan Cheese: Since zucchini and squash are mild vegetables, i've found that mixing with grated parmesan cheese brings out a nice sharp, complex flavor to these fritters. Use ½ cup parmesan cheese or a diary free version to veganize this recipe.
• Seasoning: This recipe uses garlic powder, onion powder, paprika (or chili powder), salt and pepper to flavor these fritters. See recipe card for quantities.
• Oil and Baking Soda: You can skip oil if you are going oil free, but i've found that adding a 1-2 tablespoon of oil or butter into the batter can make these fritters crispy and golden brown. Baking soda also helps hold the the texture of these fritters.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Begin by grating your zucchini and squash. Once grated, be sure to squeeze out the excess water using a cheesecloth or a paper towel. This is an important step and will avoid sogginess with these fritters. You will need 2 cups of vegetable (after squeezing out the excess water) for this recipe.

Depending on the size of your zucchini and squash, you will likely end up using 2-3 zucchinis and half a squash (if you are using squash in this recipe).

Step 2: In a mixing bowl, mix the remaining ingredients along with the grated vegetables and mix well. It should form a paste like consistency when mixed together

Step 3: Mold the fritters approximately the size of a silver dollar with half inch thickness. I recommend coating the air fryer liner or parchment paper with oil first and then placing these fritters on them before you put them into the air fryer

Step 4: Pre-heat your air fryer to 390 degrees fahrenheit. Once pre-heat is complete, place the fitters into the air fryer and cook for 11 minutes. Check in at the 10 minute mark to check the texture and crispiness level of these fritters.

Step 5: Once complete, remove out of the air fryer. Let cool for 2-3 minutes, serve warm with a dollop of sour cream or any dipping of your choice!

Recipe Variations

Make it Vegan: To make these vegan, substitute the egg for aquafaba. The egg is primary acts as a binding agent to mold the shape of the patties. Instead of regular parmesan cheese, use dairy free version cheese to spruce up the flavor of these patties. You can also opt out of the cheese if you'd like!

Make it Gluten Free: To make this gluten free, substitute all purpose flour with a gluten free flour of your choice for these patties. Tastes just as delicious!

Make it Spicy: If you love spicy, add ½ teaspoon of chili flakes to this recipe to bring out the heat in these fritters. You can add a whole teaspoon if you are feeling bold for looking for an extra kick!

Alternative to Air Fryer: Baking and Pan Frying Options

This recipe is versatile enough that it can be made three ways, including air frying, baking and pan frying these fritters. This recipe mainly uses the air fryer method, but you can also bake or pan fry these recipes to achieve excellent results.

• Bake Option: Bake these on a sheet pan at 425°F / 215°C for 14-15 minutes until the outer layer is golden brown.
• Pan Fry Option: Fry these fritters on a medium heat with 1-2 tablespoon of oil for 2-3 minutes on each side. Transfer the fritters to the paper towel-lined plate to drain out the excess oil before serving.

Cooking Tips

Remove Excess Water: After grating the squash and zucchini, use a cheesecloth (kitchen towel or tea strainer also work) to squeeze out as much water as possible. This will prevent your fritters from becoming soggy.

Mix Ingredients Well: Since this can be made in one bowl, including the zucchini, egg, flour, and seasonings, are thoroughly combined for even flavor throughout the fritters.

Shape Patty Thickness: Shape your patty thickness consistently. Ideally, your patties will be the size of a silver dollar and will be about ½ inch thick. This will help cook the patties evenly across the air fryer basket.

Chill Your Batter: If the mixture seems too soft, I've found that chilling the patties in the freezer for 10 minutes or in the fridge for 30 minutes can help them hold their shape better.

Preheat the Air Fryer: Always preheat your air fryer or oven before cooking the fritters. This helps cook the patties evenly across the basket.

Don’t Crowd the Basket: The air fryer is designed for smaller quantities of food. If you find yourself making a large meal, batch them up in different rounds. For subsequent rounds, reduce cooking time by 1 minute.

Add Oil or Butter to the Batter: To make these crispy, you can add 1-2 tablespoon of oil or butter to the batter. This will also hold the shape of your fritter if you find them falling apart when shaping them.

Best ways to Serve these Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash Fritters

These fritters are served best as a breakfast side with your eggs or as a mid afternoon snack! Serve with a dollop of sour cream or try our vegan honey mustard sauce to dip them in!

Here are some breakfast pairing ideas that work great with these fritters as a side:

• Vegan Breakfast Casserole
• Vegan Egg and Cheese on a Roll
• Dairy Free Frittata
• Vegetarian Huevos Rancheros
• Fluffly Almond Milk Pancakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Did you enjoy this recipe? Leave us a comment below on how your fritters turned out!

If you loved this, check out our list on the 50 Best Vegetarian Air Fryer Recipes for more air fryer eats!

Recipe Card