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Zucchini Ricotta Fritters

Snejana Andreeva - 1

By Snejana Andreeva

on Aug 30, 2022, Updated May 08, 2024

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My mom’s Zucchini Ricotta Fritters are wildly delicious! These are pillowy soft and so very easy to prepare. You simply combine the ingredients, form them into patties , and ♨️ air fry. This dish is on rotation in my household and requires no fuss or mess at all when using the air fryer . These pair perfectly with a refreshing yogurt sauce or a nice 🥗 green salad on the side.

  • Why You’ll Love Zucchini Ricotta Fritters
  • How to Prepare
  • Nonna’s Tip 🧑‍🍳
  • Variations and Substitutions for Zucchini Ricotta Fritters
  • Similar Recipes
  • Best Served With
  • Common Questions
  • Zucchini Ricotta Fritters Recipe
A stack of six zucchini fritters on a white surface, with one fritter on top showing a bite taken out. Fresh basil leaves are scattered around, adding a touch of green to the scene. - 3

Why You’ll Love Zucchini Ricotta Fritters

These Zucchini Ricotta Fritters are ridiculously easy to prepare, and a hit with everyone who tries them 😋. They’re a great way to use up all of that garden zucchini and the ricotta cheese is such a great addition! They’re not heavy at all, and by squeezing out all the excess 💧 water you will always get a fluffy and delicious bite.

How to Prepare

👩‍🍳 Start by using a box grater to grate your zucchini (you should have about 1 cup total).

🥒 Then, place the zucchini into a nut milk bag or cheesecloth (or use your clean hands).

A zucchini, fresh basil leaves, an egg, and small bowls of breadcrumbs, salt, ricotta cheese, and grated Parmesan are arranged on a light marble surface. - 4

💧Squeeze out as much water as you can.

🥣 Now, add the ricotta, egg, salt , grated zucchini, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and basil to a bowl . Mix well until fully combined.

A mound of shredded zucchini sits on a white cloth, ready for draining. Nearby, a whole zucchini and two brown eggs rest on a white marble surface. - 5

🌀 Using a 1/4 cup measure , scoop out a portion of the mixture into your hands and then roll into a ball and flatten into a disc. Repeat this step for the rest of the mixture; you should have 6-7 discs in total.

♨️ Spray the discs with cooking spray and cook in a 400F (200F) air fryer for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned all over.

A white plate with seven uncooked, round zucchini fritters, featuring visible zucchini and herbs, placed on a marble countertop. - 6

Nonna’s Tip 🧑‍🍳

Make sure your fritters are light and fluffy by removing as much moisture as possible from the grated zucchini. I like to squeeze the zucchini by hand, using cheesecloth , a nut milk bag or even a clean kitchen cloth.

A close-up of a partially eaten zucchini fritter on parchment paper. The fritter is sprinkled with chopped herbs and paired with a small bowl of creamy dip. A basil leaf decorates the scene. - 7

Variations and Substitutions for Zucchini Ricotta Fritters

  1. Instead of 🧀 Parmesan cheese, you can use any low-moisture cheese, such as pecorino Romano, grated Manchego, or gruyere.
  2. You can substitute basil with fresh 🌿 dill, parsley, or any herb of your choosing.
  3. Make these Zucchini Ricotta Fritters by using your favorite gluten-free breadcrumb instead of regular breadcrumbs.

Similar Recipes

A tall stack of crispy, golden-brown zucchini fritters with flecks of green herbs. One fritter has a bite taken out, revealing a moist interior. Basil leaves are scattered around the base of the stack. - 8 A tall stack of crispy, golden-brown zucchini fritters with flecks of green herbs. One fritter has a bite taken out, revealing a moist interior. Basil leaves are scattered around the base of the stack. - 9

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A plate of golden-brown zucchini fritters, made from a classic Zucchini Fritters Recipe, garnished with fresh herbs and served with a bowl of creamy dipping sauce. - 16 A plate of golden-brown zucchini fritters, made from a classic Zucchini Fritters Recipe, garnished with fresh herbs and served with a bowl of creamy dipping sauce. - 17

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Best Served With

  • A big, fresh 🥗 salad like my Wedge Salad or Simple Green Salad .
  • Try these Zucchini Ricotta Fritters topped with a 🍳 poached or fried egg.
  • A creamy yogurt-based dip, like a garlic sauce or even a Tzatziki would be nice!

Common Questions

Instead of Parmesan cheese, you can use any low-moisture cheese, such as pecorino romano, grated manchego, or gruyere. You can also use your favorite non-dairy Parm substitute.

You can substitute basil with fresh dill, parsley, or any herb of your choosing.

I use this COSORI Pro II Air Fryer which I absolutely love! If you have another brand, please use their recommended temperature and cooking time as each appliance will vary.

Yes, these fritters can also be baked in a 400F (200C) standard kitchen oven. They will likely take more time to cook than in the air fryer, so watch them carefully to ensure they do not burn, checking on them every 5 minutes or so.

To make these on the stovetop, cover a skillet in a thin layer of neutral oil, such as avocado oil, and warm over medium-high heat. Cook the fritters for about 5 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned all over.

Yes, you certainly can freeze these fritters. I like to make a double batch and freeze for another meal.

Yes, feel free to use your favorite gluten-free breadcrumb to make these gluten-free.

Make sure your fritters are light and fluffy by trying to remove as much moisture as possible from the grated zucchini. I like to squeeze the zucchini by hand either in cheesecloth , a nut milk bag or even a clean kitchen cloth.

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Video

Equipment

  • ▢ Box Grater
  • ▢ Cheesecloth
  • ▢ Nakiri Knife
  • ▢ Cutting Board
  • ▢ Mixing Bowls
  • ▢ Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • ▢ Oil Spray Bottle
  • ▢ Air Fryer
  • ▢ Redmond Real Salt

Ingredients

  • ▢ 1 medium zucchini
  • ▢ ¾ cup ricotta cheese
  • ▢ 1 large egg
  • ▢ pinch of salt
  • ▢ ½ cup grated parmigiano reggiano
  • ▢ ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • ▢ few basil leaves, sliced, ripped or chopped

Instructions

  • ▢ Grate the zucchini; you should have about 1 cup. Place the zucchini into a nut milk bag, cheesecloth (or use your clean hands) and squeeze out as much water as you can. You can save the zucchini water for smoothies if you wish.
  • ▢ In a bowl, add the ricotta, egg, salt, grated zucchini, parm, breadcrumbs, and basil. Mix well until fully combined.
  • ▢ Using a 1/4 cup measure, scoop out a portion of the mixture into your hands. Roll the mixture into a ball and then flatten into a disc. Repeat this step for the rest of the mixture; you should have 6 discs in total.
  • ▢ Spray the discs with cooking spray and cook in a 400F (200C) air fryer for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned all over. Be sure to preheat the air fryer first, if you have that setting, and make sure you check on the fritters around the 6 minute mark. Serve and enjoy.

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Zucchini Ricotta Fritters

Equipment

  • Box Grater
  • Cheesecloth
  • Nakiri Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • Oil Spray Bottle
  • Air Fryer
  • Redmond Real Salt

Ingredients

  • 1 medium zucchini
  • ¾ cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • pinch of salt
  • ½ cup grated parmigiano reggiano
  • ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • few basil leaves, sliced, ripped or chopped

Instructions

  • Grate the zucchini; you should have about 1 cup. Place the zucchini into a nut milk bag, cheesecloth (or use your clean hands) and squeeze out as much water as you can. You can save the zucchini water for smoothies if you wish.
  • In a bowl, add the ricotta, egg, salt, grated zucchini, parm, breadcrumbs, and basil. Mix well until fully combined.
  • Using a 1/4 cup measure, scoop out a portion of the mixture into your hands. Roll the mixture into a ball and then flatten into a disc. Repeat this step for the rest of the mixture; you should have 6 discs in total.
  • Spray the discs with cooking spray and cook in a 400F (200C) air fryer for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned all over. Be sure to preheat the air fryer first, if you have that setting, and make sure you check on the fritters around the 6 minute mark. Serve and enjoy.

Video

Nutrition

Zucchini Ricotta Fritters https://themodernnonna.com/zucchini-ricotta-fritters/ August 30, 2022