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Crispy Cheesy Garlic Zucchini Fritters: Easy Air Fryer Recipe

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These crispy cheesy garlic zucchini fritters are everything you want in a quick weeknight side dish or a satisfying snack. They’re golden on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with sharp cheddar and garlic that somehow makes vegetables feel like a total indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium zucchini (about 1 pound total)
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Olive oil spray

Instructions

  1. Grate the zucchini: Wash the zucchinis and trim off the ends. Using the large holes of a box grater, grate them into a colander set over a bowl. You should end up with about 3 cups of grated zucchini. Do not peel the zucchini.
  2. Salt and drain the zucchini: Sprinkle the grated zucchini with 1 teaspoon of salt and toss to combine. Let it sit for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, transfer the zucchini to a clean kitchen towel and wring it out over the sink, squeezing as hard as you can to remove excess moisture.
  3. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the squeezed zucchini, shredded cheddar cheese, minced garlic, flour, panko breadcrumbs, black pepper, and dried oregano. Use a fork to mix until evenly distributed.
  4. Add the eggs: Crack the eggs into a small bowl and beat them lightly. Pour the beaten eggs over the zucchini mixture and stir until well combined. The batter should be thick and slightly sticky, not runny. If it seems too wet, add another tablespoon of flour. If too dry, add a splash of milk or water.
  5. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes. While it’s heating, shape the mixture into patties about 2-3 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick. You should get about 8-10 fritters.
  6. Prepare the air fryer basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place the fritters in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Spray the tops of the fritters lightly with oil.
  7. Air fry the fritters: Cook at 375°F for 8 minutes. Carefully flip each fritter using a spatula, then spray the tops again lightly. Cook for another 6-8 minutes, until the fritters are deep golden brown and crispy on both sides.
  8. Rest and serve: Transfer the cooked fritters to a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Let them rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, squeeze out as much moisture from the zucchini as possible. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. If your air fryer runs hot, reduce temperature to 360°F; if it runs cool, increase to 390°F. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Fritters can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: zucchini fritters, air fryer fritters, cheesy zucchini fritters, garlic zucchini fritters, crispy zucchini fritters, summer squash recipe, easy side dish

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