Vegan Zucchini Fritters

Prep Time Cook Time Total Time

35 mins 12 mins 47 mins

Servings: 22 to 24 fritters Calories: 61kcal Author: Nisha Vora

Ingredients
1 ½ pounds (680g) zucchini, peel kept on
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal
¾ cup (12g) fresh dill, tough stems removed and finely chopped*
¼ cup (4g) fresh mint leaves finely chopped
4 scallions, thinly sliced (bruised tops trimmed)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
⅓ cup (43g) all purpose-flour**
1 cup + 2 tablespoons (90g) panko bread crumbs (or homemade bread crumbs; don't use
regular store-bought bread crumbs)
1/2 cup (75g) vegan feta, crumbled***
3 tablespoons olive oil, more as needed to cook the second batch
Flaky sea salt for finishing

For serving
Vegan Tzatziki (optional, recipe below)

Instructions
1. Grate the zucchini. Use the wide holes on a box grater to grate the zucchini. Leave the top
nub of the zucchini on so you can use it as a handle while you grate. For a faster option, use a
food processor if you have a reversible shredding disc.
2. Add grated zucchini to a colander. Sprinkle with 1 heaping teaspoon kosher salt; toss to
combine. Drain for at least 10 minutes, or for a few hours.
3. Make the flax eggs. In a small bowl, mix together the flaxseed meal and 4 tablespoons of
warm water. Whisk well, then set aside for 10 minutes to gel up.
4. In a large bowl, combine the dill, mint, scallions, cumin, nutmeg, ½ teaspoon kosher salt,
several cracks of pepper, flour, panko, and feta. Stir to combine.
5. Squeeze out the water from zucchini. Add the zucchini to a nut milk bag, mesh produce
bag, or thin dish towel. Over a bowl, use your hands to squeeze out as much water out as you
can (almost like you're using an icing bag).

Move the zucchini around a bit and reshape into a ball. Squeeze the zucchini in sections to
release more water. If needed, use both hands to squeeze. Repeat a few times, moving the
zucchini around so all of it gets evenly squeezed.****
6. Finish the zucchini batter. To the herb/flour filling, add the prepared flax eggs and stir to
incorporate with your hands. Finally, break up the squeezed zucchini and add it to the filing.
Use your hands to incorporate the zucchini until just combined and you can squeeze the
batter between your fingers to roll into balls.

Don’t mix too much, as this causes zucchini to release more water.
 7. Shape the fritters. Line a large plate with parchment paper. Scoop 2 tablespoon (25 to 30g)
portions of the batter (we find it easier to just weigh it using a scale).

Using your hands, compact the dough tightly before pressing with your palms to form a patty
(this ensures they stick together). Slightly flatten the patty (it should resemble a double
stuffed Oreo in size), a scant ½ inch thick (1 cm thick).

Place the patties on lined plate. For smooth edges, cup each patty with your hands, gently
rotating in a circular fashion to seal edges and round the shape.
8. Preheat the pan. Line a large plate with paper towels. Heat 3 TBSP olive oil in a large
nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat for a few minutes to heat up. To test, add a drop
of water; if it sizzles immediately, it’s ready.
9. Cook the fritters. Carefully add the patties to the pan, as many as you can fit without
overcrowding (12 fritters will fit a 12-inch frying pan). Fry for 3 to 4 minutes, lightly pressing
down on each patty with your spatula halfway through.

Once the bottom is golden brown, flip and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for another 2
to 3 minutes, or until the bottom is also golden brown (slight charring in spots is okay). Some
fritters will be done a bit sooner than others.
10. Transfer fritters to towel-lined surface to absorb excess oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea
salt. Repeat with the remaining zucchini mixture, adding 2 to 3 more tablespoons of oil to the
pan (with a 12-inch pan, you should be able to fry the fritters in 2 batches).
11. Serve warm as is, or with vegan tzatziki for dipping.*****

Notes
*Ensure herbs are dried well (you don't want extra moisture in the batter.) 

** To make fritters gluten-free: (1) use a GF all-purpose flour with xanthan gum; (2) use GF
panko; (3) use 2 1/2 TBSP flaxseed meal with 5 TBSP warm water. 

*** Follow Your Heart Violife feta are the most widely available vegan feta. If you can't find it, use
vegan cream cheese (rest at room temp while you prep, then tear into small pieces). Or, use my
homemade Tofu Feta. 

***** Squeezing out the requisite amount of water from the zucchini will take several rounds. It will
feel like an arm workout of sorts. It’s worth it though!

If you leave a lot of water in, the fritters won’t fry up as crispy and will fall apart. For 1 ½ pounds of
zucchini, we squeezed out 1 ½ cups of water (360 to 400 mL)! 

*****When eating fritters, they hold their shape when you bite into them (or cut with a fork and
knife) rather than if you pull them apart with your hands.