Zucchini Carrot Fritters | Renee's Kitchen Adventures

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Zucchini Carrot Fritters

It's officially zucchini season and I'm so happy! Why? Because I've been making these delicious Zucchini Carrot Fritters like mad! Made with fresh zucchini, shredded carrots, and a few binders and seasonings, these vegetable fritters are going to be your new obsession too!

Zucchini and Carrot Fritters make a great side dish or a light meal any day of the week.

Crispy Zucchini Carrot Fritters on a white platter, ready to eat.


These carrot and zucchini fritters, or pancakes, are the perfect way to enjoy summer fresh zucchini. They are quick and easy, healthy (see nutritional information in recipe card below), and full of flavor. 

My 2 1/2 year old toddler grandson loves them because they are great finger food. Plus, since they are mostly vegetables, I feel good about feeding them to him.

In one way, they sort of remind me of a lighter fritter recipe version of my favorite Potato Pancake recipe. The potato pancake recipe is a reader favorite, so I know this easy recipe for zucchini carrot fritters will be a hit too.

Like my favorite potato pancakes, I enjoy eating these fritters with sour cream or plain yogurt on top. Or for a real treat, try topping them with Tzatziki. 

If you still have a bunch of zucchini leftover once you make this recipe, I've also got several other popular zucchini recipes in on the site that I know you will enjoy!


How to make zucchini carrot fritters

Start by selecting your zucchini. This is actually a great recipe for those giant zucchini that end up in most people's gardens because you will shred the zucchini. If your large zucchini is particularly seedy, use the flesh around the seeds for this recipe.


If you are buying zucchini in the store or at the farmer's markets, look for shiny, dark green flesh, that feels firm to touch. A few nicks won't hurt anything and are to be expected. A really fresh zucchini will have little "hairs" on the skin. Look for smaller sized zucchini, since they tend to be more tender.


Once you've selected your zucchini, it's time to gather up the ingredients needed for this recipe:
(FULL INGREDIENT LIST WITH AMOUNTS LOCATED IN THE RECIPE CARD BELOW)
  • zucchini
  • carrot
  • salt and pepper
  • grated Parmesan cheese
  • egg
  • flour
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • olive oil (for sautéing)
You will also need the following kitchen equipment:
  • a box grater or a food processor
  • a large bowl
  • a large, non-stick, skillet
Start the recipe by grating the zucchini on the "shred" side (larger holes) of the box grater (hand-held grater). Peel and grate the carrot. Or grate them both in your food processor with the shredding blade set to the larger holes. 

Shredded zucchini and carrot in a white mixing bowl, ready to make zucchini carrot fritters

Next, sprinkle the vegetable mixture with a pinch of salt. Let them sit for about 5-10 minutes, then take your hands and squeeze as much liquid out as you can. 

If you feel weird about using your bare hands, you could use a cheese cloth to squeeze out the excess liquid. Add the grated vegetables back into the bowl.

Add the remaining ingredients and mix until combined.

Heat pan with 1-2 TBSP olive oil. When oil begins to shimmer, spoon a heaping tablespoon into the pan for each fritter and flatten with the back of the spoon.

Don't over crowd the pan!

zucchini carrot fritters frying in a skillet

Cook for 2 - 3 minutes, or until bottoms are golden brown and carefully flip.

zucchini carrot fritters frying in a skillet, browned side up

Cook for another 2 - 3 minutes, then remove to a paper towel lined plate or baking sheet. Keep warm in low oven.

Cooked zucchini carrot fritters on a paper towel lined plate ready to serve

Sprinkle with a little salt, if desired, and repeat the process with the remaining batter.


Can I freeze and reheat cooked zucchini fritters?

Yes! You can freeze cooked and cooled zucchini fritters in a plastic freezer bag or airtight container and reheat in the microwave from frozen. They will not be crispy, but still be delicious.


You can also reheat these veggie fritters in the air fryer. This will result in a much crispier fritter. Reheat frozen carrot zucchini fritters for 8 - 10 minutes at 350 degrees F or until heated through.


What can I serve with zucchini carrot fritters?

These zucchini carrot fritters are perfect on their own as a light lunch or dinner. You can garnish with sour cream or yogurt if you like. 

They also make a great side dish to main course meals such as beef roasts, ham, or pork chops

How about getting fancy and serving pulled pork on TOP of the fritters for dinner? YUM! 

Heck, I've even eaten them for breakfast! 


How can I make this recipe for zucchini carrot fritters gluten-free?

You can substitute your favorite all purpose gluten-free flour blend measure for measure for the all purpose flour called for in this recipe. 

You could also substitute the all purpose flour with chickpea flour, reducing the amount by 1 tablespoon. For an almond flour substitute (keto), start with 1/4 cup and add more if mixture still seems too watery. 

Make sure the Parmesan cheese you use doesn't have filler added to it that would make it not gluten-free


zucchini carrot fritters over head with sour cream and a fork on a plate ready to eat


zucchini carrot fritters, zucchini and carrot fritters, zucchini carrot pancakes
side dish, light main coarse, appetizer
American
Yield: 4
Author: Renee Paj
Zucchini Carrot Fritters

Zucchini Carrot Fritters

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 10 MinInactive time: 10 MinTotal time: 35 Min
These quick and easy, zucchini carrot fritters, are going to be your new favorite way to enjoy eating vegetables! Shredded zucchini and carrot combine with a few binders and seasonings, then are quickly sautéed in olive oil for a delicious anytime meal or snack.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs. zucchini, shredded
  • 1 large carrot, shredded
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, slightly beaten
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. onion powder

Instructions

  1. Combine shredded zucchini and carrot in a bowl and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Stir to combine. Allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then with your hands, squeeze out as much liquid as you can over the sink. Return to the bowl.
  2. Add to bowl with zucchini and carrot, the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
  3. Over med/high heat, heat large skillet with 1 - 2 TBSP. olive oil until oil begins to shimmer. Spoon a heaping tablespoon into the pan for each fritter and flatten with the back of the spoon. Don't over crowd the pan!
  4. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until bottoms are golden brown and carefully flip.
  5. Cook for another 2 - 3 minutes, then remove to a paper towel lined plate or paper towel lined baking sheet.
  6. Sprinkle with a little more salt, if desired, and repeat the process with the remaining batter.

Notes

These are wonderful served with sour cream or plain yogurt.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

111.02

Fat (grams)

3.61

Sat. Fat (grams)

1.52

Carbs (grams)

14.33

Fiber (grams)

2.51

Net carbs

11.83

Sugar (grams)

5.2

Protein (grams)

6.55

Sodium (milligrams)

444.36

Cholesterol (grams)

51.94

Nutritional Information provided is an estimate.

Did you make this recipe?
Tag @renees_kitchen_adventures on instagram and hashtag it # rkarecipes

2 comments:

  1. Why can’t I pin your recipes?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Thanks for your comment. I removed the add on that allows pinning because it was slowing the site down. I've been searching for a new add on to replace. In the meantime, you can add the pin extension to your browser from Pinterest and pin that way. I'm currently looking at a new option for the site, so hopefully I will be able to add it soon! Sorry for the inconvenience!

      Delete

Thank you for visiting! Share what's on your mind and make my day! Make this recipe? I'd love to hear how it turned out for you! Share on social media with #RKArecipes

>