To make zucchini fritters in an air fryer, grate 2 medium zucchini, salt them for 10 minutes and squeeze out the water, mix with 2 eggs, flour, Parmesan, green onion, garlic and dill, shape 8 patties, mist with oil and air fry at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp. They take about 32 minutes and come to roughly 170 calories and 10 g protein per serving with yogurt and salsa.
1 tsp fine salt (for drawing out water) plus 1/4 tsp for the batter
2 large eggs
1/3 cup (40 g) all-purpose or whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup (25 g) finely grated Parmesan
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp chopped fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried)
Zest of 1/2 lemon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil (brushed or misted on)
To serve: 1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt and 1/2 cup fresh tomato salsa (diced tomato, onion, jalapeno, cilantro and lime)
How Do You Make Zucchini Fritters in an Air Fryer?
Salt the zucchini: Toss the grated zucchini with 1 tsp salt in a colander and let it sit for 10 minutes to release water.
Squeeze dry: Wrap the zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze hard over the sink until no more liquid drips out. You should lose about 1/2 cup of water. This is the key to crisp fritters.
Mix: In a bowl, whisk the eggs, then stir in the zucchini, flour, Parmesan, green onions, garlic, dill, lemon zest, baking powder, pepper and the remaining 1/4 tsp salt until evenly combined.
Shape: Scoop about 1/4 cup of the mixture per fritter and press into 8 patties about 3 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick.
Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for about 3 minutes and lightly oil the crisper plates or line them with perforated parchment.
Air fry: Arrange the fritters in a single layer, splitting them between both baskets, and brush or mist the tops with olive oil. Air fry at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping and misting the other side after 6 minutes, until deep golden and firm.
Serve: Rest 2 minutes, then top each fritter with a spoonful of Greek yogurt and fresh tomato salsa and serve warm.
Dual basket tip: Press Match Cook and split all 8 fritters between both baskets so the whole batch is done in one 12-minute round at 375°F. Or cook fritters in basket 1 and our garlic shrimp in basket 2 (400°F, 8 minutes) and use Sync Finish so dinner is ready at the same time.
New pick: WETIE 12-Qt Stacked Dual BasketTwo zones let you cook this in one and a second dish in the other, then finish both together.
How Many Calories Are in Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters? (Estimated)
Per serving (2 fritters with 2 tbsp Greek yogurt and 2 tbsp salsa): about 170 calories, 8 g fat (2.5 g saturated), 14 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 4 g sugar, 10 g protein and about 380 mg sodium. These are estimates calculated from standard USDA values for zucchini, eggs, flour, Parmesan, olive oil, nonfat Greek yogurt and fresh salsa, assuming most of the drawing salt is squeezed out with the water.
Brunch: top each fritter with a soft poached egg and a spoonful of salsa
What Are Some Flavor Variations?
Corn and zucchini: fold in 1/2 cup corn kernels and swap the dill for cilantro
Feta and mint: replace the Parmesan with 1/3 cup crumbled feta and the dill with fresh mint
Spicy: add 1 minced jalapeno and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika to the batter
Mini bites: make 16 small fritters and air fry 8 to 9 minutes for party appetizers
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you cook zucchini fritters in the air fryer?
Air fry zucchini fritters at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping after 6 minutes, until both sides are golden brown and the centers feel firm.
Why are my zucchini fritters soggy?
The zucchini still had too much water. Salt the grated zucchini for 10 minutes, then squeeze it hard in a towel until it stops dripping before you mix the batter.
Are air fryer zucchini fritters healthy?
Yes. We estimate about 170 calories, 10 g protein and 8 g fat per serving of 2 fritters with yogurt and salsa, using 1 tbsp of oil for the whole batch instead of pan frying. These are estimates.
Can you make zucchini fritters gluten free?
Yes. Swap the flour for the same amount of almond flour or a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. Almond flour fritters brown a little faster, so check them at 9 minutes.
Can you make zucchini fritters without eggs?
Yes. Replace the 2 eggs with 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 5 tbsp water, rested 5 minutes) and add 1 extra tbsp flour so the patties hold together.
How do you reheat zucchini fritters?
Reheat leftover fritters in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes until hot and crisp again. They keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
