Zucchini and Corn Fritters

Light, yet packed with so much flavor, these zucchini and corn fritters are a must in the summertime! So easy to make with simple farmer’s market ingredients.

this recipe

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Zucchini corn fritters made with fresh sweet corn, mozzarella cheese, and dried basil for an added punch of flavor.

I absolutely love how easy they are to make with simple ingredients that are now at their peak! Enjoy them warm or cold.

How to squeeze water out of zucchini 

It’s important to squeeze out as much excess moisture from the zucchini, corn, and onion as possible before mixing it with the rest of the ingredients to get them to bind well. 

The extra moisture dilutes the flavor and makes the zucchini fritters soft and floppy. You can use your hands, paper towels, cheesecloth, or a dish towel to do this. 

Spread paper towels or cheesecloth on a baking sheet and place the shredded zucchini and onion on top. Sprinkle it with salt to help it sweat out excess moisture, and then either blot it with more paper towels or use the cheesecloth to wring it out.  

You can also put the shredded vegetables in a fine-mesh strainer, sprinkle with salt, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then press down on the zucchini to strain out the excess moisture.  

Ingredients

For these fritters, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Fresh sweet corn: Fresh in-season corn makes the best fritters.
• Zucchini: Make sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the zucchini.
• Mozzarella cheese: Or any other soft cheese.
• White onion: Onion adds a lot of flavor.
• Egg: You’ll need 1-2 large eggs for this recipe.
• All-purpose flour: I have not tried a substitute.
• Baking powder: Not the same as baking soda. Each works differently.
• Basil: I used dry basil but feel free to use fresh.

Recipe Tips

Here are some tips to make the best zucchini corn fritters recipe! 

• Make them gluten-free by using certified gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour. 
• Make them dairy-free by leaving out the cheese and egg. Keep in mind that without another binder, the fritters will fall apart.    
• Coarsely grate the vegetables to make the best patties.  
• Don’t turn them over until they are crispy on the bottom, turning too soon can make them fall apart. 
• Make each patty the same size by using a ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop the batter out of the bowl.

How to Make Zucchini Corn Fritters

• Using a box grater, grate the zucchini. Squeeze out excess moisture using your hands or few sheets of paper towels. Add the zucchini to a large bowl. Next, using the same box grater, grate the onion. Drain excess liquid and add to the zucchini.
• Combine the zucchini, onions, corn, eggs, and cheese. Then stir in the flour, baking powder, salt, and basil.
• Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, spoon the zucchini mixture by a tablespoon. (I used a regular eating tablespoon to measure out the mixture). Flatten the tops with a spatula and cook until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and repeat with the rest of the mixture.

Variations

These zucchini corn fritters are easily adaptable to fit your tastes and preferences. Here are some ideas you can try out. 

• Substitute mozzarella with cheddar or parmesan cheese.
• Use breadcrumbs in place of the cheese for those that are lactose intolerant.  
• Use frozen or canned corn instead of fresh corn if it’s not in season. 
• Add other dried or fresh herbs like oregano, parsley, thyme, dill, tarragon, or chives. Or garnish the cooked fritters with them. 
• Add seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or cayenne pepper.  

How do you keep fritters from falling apart? 

Here are some steps to ensure that your patties stick together and you don’t need to eat them with a fork. 

Excess moisture: The first culprit in your fritters falling apart and being too soft is that they have too much liquid. 

Zucchini has a very high moisture content; for the fritters to stick together, that liquid needs to be squeezed out. 

You may even want to squeeze out the excess liquid from the grated onions as well since grating brings out the moisture.  

Binding: The next thing to be aware of is including a binding ingredient like egg whites, cheese, or breadcrumbs. Any or all of these can be added to the batter to get them to stick together better.  

Flipping too soon: Once you place a scoop of batter on the skillet, let it form a crust on the bottom before carefully flipping it over with a metal or rubber spatula.

How to cook fritters in the air fryer 

It’s easy to make these corn fritters in the air fryer as well. An air fryer with flat trays works the best. 

To cook fritters in the air fryer, preheat it to start. Then, spray the trays with cooking oil and scoop the batter onto the trays. 

Place the trays inside and rotate halfway through. You may also need to flip them over if the bottoms aren’t getting as crispy as you’d prefer.   

How to serve

These zucchini corn fritters taste delicious topped with little sour cream, crispy bacon, fresh tomato slices, or fried egg.

They also make a great addition to brunch, lunch, or as a light snack to pair with Jalapeno Turkey Burgers, Grilled Orange Chicken, Chicken Sliders, or Herb Roasted Chicken.

How to store 

To refrigerate: Keep leftover patties in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge for up to five days. 

To freeze: You can also freeze cooked fritters to save them for later. The best way to do this is to lay cooled patties in a single layer on a silicone-lined baking sheet and freeze the whole pan for 15 minutes. Place the partially frozen fritters in a large freezer bag and back in the freezer for up to three months.  

To reheat: The best way to reheat them from the refrigerator or freezer is to use an air fryer, making them crispy all over again. You can also use the microwave, which will warm them up but won’t make them crispy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

More Corn Recipes

• Fresh Corn and Zucchini Chowder
• Creamy Zucchini Corn Salad
• Greek Corn Salad with Avocado
• Creamy Corn Pasta with Shrimp

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