Light, crispy, and ready in minutes—these Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters are a simple weeknight favorite. They crisp up without extra oil and make a great snack, side, or lunch. If you love air fryer recipes, try our air fryer apple fritters recipe for a sweet pairing.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters
- Crispy outside, tender inside with much less oil than frying
- Ready in about 20 minutes for quick weeknights
- Great for meal prep and easy to reheat the next day
- Kid-friendly and easy to customize
- Uses simple pantry ingredients you likely have on hand
Ingredients Needed
-
Veggies
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 green onion, finely sliced
-
Binder & Dairy
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
-
Dry Ingredients
- 1/3 cup flour (or substitute almond flour)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
-
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
-
Toppings (optional)
- Sour cream and additional green onion for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Shred the zucchini with a grater into a strainer placed over a towel. Add the salt to the zucchini and toss to coat. Let the zucchini sit with the salt to remove the water.
- While the zucchini is resting with the salt, combine the egg, flour, Parmesan cheese, baking powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and the sliced green onion in a large bowl.
- Dry the zucchini with a towel, then add to the bowl with the other ingredients and toss to combine thoroughly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
- Form the zucchini mixture into 4 cakes (about the size of burgers) and add to the air fryer. Air fry the fritters for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Serve topped with sour cream and sliced green onion, if desired.
Serving Suggestions Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt and extra green onion.
- Pair with a crisp green salad and a simple vinaigrette for a light meal.
- Offer as a party snack with toothpicks and a lemon-garlic dipping sauce.
- Pair with air fryer apple fries for a fun sweet-and-savory spread.
- Stack fritters on toasted bread for a zucchini fritter sandwich.
Tips for Success Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters
- Squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the zucchini to keep fritters crispy.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in a single layer for even browning.
- If mixture seems too wet, add a tablespoon more flour or let it rest a few minutes to firm up.
- Reheat leftover fritters at 375 degrees F for 4–5 minutes to restore crispness.
- For another air fryer side idea, try air fryer broccoli cheddar poppers alongside the fritters.
Variations
- Add 1/4 cup finely chopped cooked bacon or diced ham for a smoky protein boost.
- Make it spicy by stirring in 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño.
- Dairy-free option: omit Parmesan and use 1/3 cup almond flour plus extra seasoning.
- Add shredded carrot or corn kernels for more color and texture.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters
Light, crispy, and easy to make, these Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters are a perfect snack, side dish, or lunch option, ready in about 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Veggies
- 2 medium zucchini Shredded
- 1 piece green onion Finely sliced
Binder & Dairy
- 1 piece egg
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Dry Ingredients
- 1/3 cup flour Or substitute almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Toppings (optional)
- sour cream For garnish
- additional green onion For garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Shred the zucchini with a grater into a strainer placed over a towel. Add the salt to the zucchini and toss to coat. Let the zucchini sit with the salt to remove the water.
- While the zucchini is resting with the salt, combine the egg, flour, Parmesan cheese, baking powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and the sliced green onion in a large bowl.
- Dry the zucchini with a towel, then add to the bowl with the other ingredients and toss to combine thoroughly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
Cooking
- Form the zucchini mixture into 4 cakes (about the size of burgers) and add to the air fryer.
- Air fry the fritters for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Serve topped with sour cream and sliced green onion, if desired.
Notes
Squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the zucchini to keep fritters crispy. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in a single layer for even browning. If the mixture seems too wet, add a tablespoon more flour or let it rest a few minutes to firm up. Reheat leftover fritters at 375 degrees F for 4–5 minutes to restore crispness.