Garlicky & Cheesy Quinoa Zucchini Fritters | Easy Zucchini Recipe (2024)

Diethood » Recipes » Dinner Recipes » Garlicky & Cheesy Quinoa Zucchini Fritters

Jump to RecipeRate This Recipe

Katerina

4.73 from 22 votes

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

These Garlicky & Cheesy Quinoa Zucchini Fritters are packed with quinoa and zucchini. One of my favorite summer zucchini recipes, these fritters are super delicious and very easy to make!

Garlicky & Cheesy Quinoa Zucchini Fritters | Easy Zucchini Recipe (2)

Zucchini Fritters

If you’re on the hunt for a tasty and wholesome dish that speaks summer vibes, look no further! Our Garlicky and Cheesy Quinoa Zucchini Fritters are a wonderful fusion of fresh zucchini and nutrient-rich quinoa bundled into bite-sized fritters for an easy-to-enjoy meal.

Due to the abundance of vegetables provided by my parent’s enormous vegetable garden, it’s much easier to eat well and eat right. If you’re growing your own zucchini, you know they can quickly fill your garden. We try to enjoy them in many ways – fried, baked, grilled, or mixed into this tasty Creamy Parmesan Baked Zucchini!

Garlicky & Cheesy Quinoa Zucchini Fritters | Easy Zucchini Recipe (3)

Our love for wholesome, flavorsome food inspired us to pair two power-packed ingredients—zucchini and quinoa. Add to this the irresistible allure of cheese and garlic, and you have a recipe that promises an explosion of flavors with every bite.

Ingredients

The following ingredients and instructions will guide you in creating these mouth-watering fritters. Scroll down to the recipe card for complete information on ingredients and directions.

  • zucchini
  • quinoa
  • egg
  • garlic
  • seasonings
  • parmigiano reggiano
  • panko crumbs

How To Make Zucchini Fritters With Quinoa

  1. Salt the zucchini and let it rest for 10 minutes, then pat it dry.
  2. Meanwhile, boil the quinoa, simmer for 10 minutes, then let it cool.
  3. In a big bowl, mix together the zucchini, quinoa, egg, garlic, oregano, cheese, and crumbs. Add salt and pepper.
  4. Fry the patties/fritters in olive oil until golden. Transfer them onto a paper towel to drain.
  5. Serve with yogurt, sour cream, soy sauce, or your favorite dip.
Garlicky & Cheesy Quinoa Zucchini Fritters | Easy Zucchini Recipe (4)

What sets this recipe apart is its flexibility. Want to prep ahead? No problem—you can prepare the quinoa mixture a few days in advance and fry the fritters when you’re ready to serve. These versatile bites can fit into your menu as a light lunch, a hearty dinner, or a quick snack.

Tips and Variations

  • Choosing Zucchini: Opt for medium-sized zucchini as they tend to have less water; the less water, the crispier your fritters will be.
  • Drain Well: Ensuring your zucchini is properly drained is key to preventing soggy fritters. Be sure to give the grated zucchini a good squeeze to remove as much water as possible. A cheesecloth or a clean tea towel can be very helpful for this.
  • Seasoning: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different herbs, spices, and cheeses to add a personal twist to your fritters. You might also consider adding finely chopped onions or shallots for an extra flavor punch.
  • Frying: For the crispiest fritters, be sure not to crowd the pan. Fry in batches if necessary, and keep the heat at a medium level to ensure even cooking without burning.
  • Storing & Reheating: Leftover fritters can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and are best reheated in the oven or in a toaster oven to maintain crispiness.

Serving Suggestions

  • These fritters are a versatile addition to any meal. Pair them with a side of mixed greens for a light, balanced lunch, or serve them alongside grilled chicken or fish for a heartier dinner. They can also be served as an appetizer, paired with a cheesy Lasagna Dip! 😋
  • Don’t forget a cool Cucumber Mojito 😉 with a side of Chocolate Mousse Cake. 😬
Garlicky & Cheesy Quinoa Zucchini Fritters | Easy Zucchini Recipe (5)

So why wait? Dive into this delightful recipe and bring flavor and nutrition to your table with our Garlicky & Cheesy Quinoa Zucchini Fritters. This is a quick and hearty summer lunch/dinner/snack/appetizer – enjoyit as you see fit. They are so simple and delicious that it would be a shame not to try these fritters!

More Zucchini Fritters To Try

  • Air Fryer Zucchini Corn Fritters
  • Zucchini Chicken Fritters

ENJOY!

Garlicky & Cheesy Quinoa Zucchini Fritters | Easy Zucchini Recipe (6)

Garlicky & Cheesy Quinoa Zucchini Fritters

Katerina | Diethood

These garlicky and cheesy Quinoa Zucchini Fritters are one of my favorite summer zucchini recipes; the fritters are super delicious and very easy to make!

4.73 from 22 votes

Rate this Recipe!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 2 cups grated zucchini
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup quinoa
  • 1 whole egg
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 cup grated fresh parmigiano-reggiano cheese
  • 1 cup panko crumbs
  • salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil

Optional

  • Yogurt
  • Sour Cream
  • Marinara
  • Soy Sauce

Instructions

  • Place zucchini in a colander and toss with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes, then wring zucchini dry with a paper towel.

  • In the meantime, prepare the quinoa. Combine water and quinoa in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer; cover and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and let stand for 10 minutes.

  • In a large bowl, combine the zucchini, cooked quinoa, egg, garlic, oregano, fresh cheese, and panko crumbs. Season with salt and pepper; mix until thoroughly combined.

  • Heat the oil in a skillet. Shape the zucchini-quinoa mixture into 2 to 3-inch patties. Working in batches, add these to the skillet, flattening slightly with a spatula; cook over medium heat until golden and crisp, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer fritters to a paper towel–lined plate.

  • Serve with yogurt, sour cream, marinara, soy sauce, or any dip of your choice.

Notes

  • Drain Zucchini Well: Salt the zucchini and let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, squeeze out as much water as possible for non-soggy fritters. Don’t skip this part, please.
  • Experiment with Seasoning: Try different herbs, spices, cheeses, or chopped onions for extra flavor.
  • Don’t Crowd the Pan: Fry in batches on medium heat for even, crisp cooking.
  • Store and Reheat Properly: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days and reheat in the oven to keep them crispy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Patty | Calories: 135 kcal | Carbohydrates: 14 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 7 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g | Trans Fat: 0.03 g | Cholesterol: 9 mg | Sodium: 246 mg | Potassium: 91 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 1 g | Vitamin A: 94 IU | Vitamin C: 3 mg | Calcium: 93 mg | Iron: 0.4 mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: best zucchini recipes, easy zucchini recipes, zucchini dinner ideas, zucchini fritters

Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!

Categories:

  • Appetizers
  • Dinner Recipes
  • Snacks
  • Southwestern Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
  • Fried Zucchini Chips with Garlic Vinaigrette
  • Zucchini Tomato Bake
  • Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
Garlicky & Cheesy Quinoa Zucchini Fritters | Easy Zucchini Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my zucchini fritters sticking to the pan? ›

If your zucchini fritters are falling apart, it's likely because the fritters are sticking to the skillet or the batter was too wet. Getting the zucchini dry before preparing the batter so the binding agents can hold the fritter together. If you have a non-stick frying pan, opt for that as well.

Why are my courgette fritters soggy? ›

Start by prepping the zucchini.

First, shred it on the large holes of a box grater. Then, wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. This step helps create the fritters' light, crispy texture. If the zucchini is too moist, the fritters will be soggy.

How do you cook zucchini so it doesn't get mushy? ›

Don't overcrowd the pan, which can cause the zucchini to steam instead of roast. Unless you have time to salt and drain the zucchini, wait to salt it until after they're cooked so the salt doesn't draw out the moisture in the oven—this can lead to sogginess.

How do you keep zucchini crisp when cooking? ›

Thick slices

Especially when roasting, zucchini should be sliced into thick, ½ inch slices to ensure they don't get soggy in the oven. If your oven roasted zucchini is consistently turning out soggy, try slicing it a little thicker next time.

How many cups is 2 pounds of zucchini? ›

Zucchini is fat free, cholesterol free, low in sodium, rich in manganese and vitamin C and has more potassium than a banana. One pound of zucchini equals about 4 cups grated zucchini; 2 cups of salted and squeezed zucchini; about 1 cup mashed zucchini; and 3 cups chunked zucchini.

Why are my fritters not crispy? ›

The most common causes for soggy fritters are too much batter (basic flour and egg batter like used in pancakes will never cook up crispy), and whatever you're frittering leeches too much water when cooking.

How do you keep fritters from sticking? ›

Add enough oil to cover the base of a skillet or frypan and place over medium-high heat. Spray the underside of a spatula with oil spray (this prevents the batter from sticking when you flatten each fritter).

Should zucchini bread be cool before removing from pan? ›

Don't leave the loaf in the pan too long – Once you remove the bread from the oven, let it sit for 10 to15 minutes. But after that, it should be turned out onto a cooling rack to finish cooling. Otherwise, the edges can get a little too done in the still-hot pan.

How do you get fritters to stick? ›

Get the skillet searing hot.

As you're combining all the ingredients for your fritters, go ahead and get the skillet warming up over medium-high heat with a bit of oil. A hot skillet will start cooking the fritters as soon as they hit the pan. That helps sear a crust on each fritter that will hold them together.

How do you keep vegetables from sticking to the pan? ›

Three tips to prevent the food from sticking to the pan
  1. Do not trust the "non-stick" pans. ...
  2. Non-stick pans are good for cooking everything from meat to fish, and also to cook pasta or to toast bread. ...
  3. Olive oil.
  4. Butter.
  5. Otherwise, use a teaspoon of butter to grease the pan before frying the eggs, meat or vegetables. ...
  6. Water.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Roderick King

Last Updated:

Views: 6053

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Roderick King

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: 3782 Madge Knoll, East Dudley, MA 63913

Phone: +2521695290067

Job: Customer Sales Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Embroidery, Parkour, Kitesurfing, Rock climbing, Sand art, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Roderick King, I am a cute, splendid, excited, perfect, gentle, funny, vivacious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.