Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (2024)

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Learn how to make the best Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters in this easy appetizer recipe. These veggie fritters also make a kid-friendly summer side dish!

Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (1)

It seems like every summer we have a lot of zucchini, whether that’s from our garden, CSA produce box, the Farmers Market or Misfits Market. One of the most delicious recipes I make with this summer squash is zucchini fritters.

They’re essentially zucchini pancakes with a savory, mild flavor. All you need to make them is a handful of simple ingredients in addition to your fresh zucchini. The flavor of these crispy zucchini fritters is amazing too… even the kids gobble them up!

You’ll find it’s a great recipe to use this versatile vegetable because they can be served as an appetizer, side dish or even afternoon snack! Give this paleo zucchini fritters recipe a try next time you’re looking for a delicious way to use the bounty of your zucchini harvest.

Table Of Contents

  1. Ingredients
  2. Equipment
  3. By the Numbers: How to Make Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters
    • Step 1: Shred Zucchini.
    • Step 2: Salt Shredded Zucchini.
    • Step 3: Squeeze Water from Zucchini.
    • Step 4: Combine Ingredients in Bowl.
    • Step 5: Cook Zucchini Fritters.
    • Step 6: Serve Zucchini Fritters.
  4. Tips for Making Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters
    • Can a different gluten-free flour be substituted?
    • Can you bake zucchini fritters?
    • Can you cook fritters in the air fryer?
    • Substitute for coconut oil?
    • How to make vegan zucchini fritters?
    • Why aren’t they crispy?
    • What to serve with zucchini fritters?
    • How to store zucchini fritters?
    • How to reheat zucchini fritters?
    • Can you freeze zucchini fritters?
    • More zucchini recipes?
    • Where to get fresh zucchini?
  5. Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe
  6. More Gluten Free Side Dish Recipes

Ingredients

Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (2)
  • 7 cups of shredded zucchini
  • 1 teaspoon of sea salt
  • ⅓ cup of coconut flour
  • 2-3 beaten eggs
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
  • Coconut oil for cooking

Equipment

  • Food processor or cheese grater
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Nut milk bagor cheesecloth
  • Fork
  • Large skillet
  • Spatula
  • Wire cooling rack

By the Numbers: How to Make Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters

Follow these simple steps to learn how to make the best zucchini fritters that are gluten free and low carb.

Step 1: Shred Zucchini.

Shred 7 cups of fresh zucchini with a cheese grater (or a food processor) into a large mixing bowl.

Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (3)

Step 2: Salt Shredded Zucchini.

Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sea salt over the zucchini and mix well, then allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Zucchini has a high-water content, so you’re looking to get excess moisture out of the zucchini. This helps to make sure you don’t end up with soggy fritters.

Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (4)

Step 3: Squeeze Water from Zucchini.

Next, squeeze the excess water from the zucchini. I like to wrap it up in a nut milk bag (like you use to make homemade almond milk) or cheesecloth to squeeze it out into a bowl. You want most of the moisture out, but don’t make the zucchini too dry or your batter will be dry too.

Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (5)

Step 4: Combine Ingredients in Bowl.

In a separate bowl, combine the squeezed zucchini with ⅓ cup of coconut flour, 2-3 beaten eggs and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. You usually do not need to add additional salt as there is typically plenty of salt left from step 1. You can always add a bit of salt before serving if it’s needed.

Why does this recipe call for 2-3 eggs? I usually start with 2 eggs and mix that in. If the mixture isn’t moist enough to form patties that bind well, I’ll add a 3rd egg and that usually does the trick.

I find that different coconut flours vary in how much liquid they absorb. I also find that each batch of zucchini is a bit different in their fiber to moisture ratio. So one batch could work great with 2 eggs, but the next time 3 are needed to get it to bind.

Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (6)

Step 5: Cook Zucchini Fritters.

Once your batter is ready, melt a large spoonful of coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Press ¼ cup of the fritter mixture into the hot pan and flatten it until it forms a patty. Depending on which pan I use, I can fit 3-4 in the pan at a time. Just make sure you have enough room in the pan to flip them with a spatula.

Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (7)

Cook each side of the zucchini patties for 3-5 minutes or until they’re golden brown. Repeat until the zucchini mixture is gone, adding extra coconut oil to the pan as needed.

Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (8)

Step 6: Serve Zucchini Fritters.

For crispy fritters, cool them on a wire cooling rack to prevent them from getting soggy. Otherwise, you can use a clean kitchen towel or absorbent paper towels to keep them warm if you don’t mind them being softer.

Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (9)

Serve your gluten free fritters warm. They’re great garnished with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs!

Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (10)

Tips for Making Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters

Answers to all of your questions about making zucchini fritters that are gluten free and delicious, including tips and substitution ideas.

Can a different gluten-free flour be substituted?

Before I was gluten free, I used all purpose flour to make zucchini fritters. Now I use coconut flour! You need very little compared to other flours plus it’s naturally gluten free.

You won’t be able to substitute other gluten free flours at a 1:1 ratio for coconut flour. You’ll likely need to add about a cup of gluten-free, all-purpose flour to get the same consistency, but it will vary by brand.

Can you bake zucchini fritters?

To make baked zucchini fritters, lay the patties out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them at 400˚ F for about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through. They’re done when they’re golden brown on the outside.

Can you cook fritters in the air fryer?

Yes, you can make air fryer zucchini fritters by laying the patties out on your air fryer racks and air frying them for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. They’re ready when they’re golden brown.

Substitute for coconut oil?

You can use any of your favorite cooking oils, including olive oil, since these fritters are cooked over medium heat. I just find that coconut oil does the best job for getting the outside of my zucchini fritters crispy.

How to make vegan zucchini fritters?

Since this recipe calls for eggs, it’s not vegan. If you want to make vegan zucchini fritters, you can substitute flax eggs.

If you haven’t made a flax egg before, simply whisk 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2 ½ tablespoons of water for each egg. Then just add that mixture to the bowl when you’re making your fritters.

Why aren’t they crispy?

If you don’t squeeze enough water out of the zucchini, they won’t get crispy. If you don’t add enough oil to the pan, they also won’t crisp up. I also find that they get crispier when I fry them in a cast iron skillet than a non-stick skillet.

If you’re done cooking and they still aren’t as crisp as you like, stick them in the air fryer for a couple of minutes.

What to serve with zucchini fritters?

We’ll often eat gluten-free zucchini fritters with some grated cheese on top for lunch. At dinnertime when we serve them as a side, I like to add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the top of the fritters.

They taste great served with roasted chicken, poached salmon or even spaghetti squash lasagna.

How to store zucchini fritters?

Once they’re cooled to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Use within a week.

How to reheat zucchini fritters?

If we want to eat leftovers the next day, we find the best way to reheat fritters is to just lightly pan fry them until they’re heated through. You can also put them in the air fryer if you want them crispier on the outside.

Can you freeze zucchini fritters?

Yes, they’re great to make ahead, cool down and then freeze. The best way to do this is to lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Transfer the fritters to a freezer bag or other freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

More zucchini recipes?

If you’re looking for tasty ways to enjoy summer squash, try a new zucchini recipe:

  • Dehydrated Zucchini Chips
  • Gluten Free Zucchini Bread
  • Instant Pot Gluten Free Pasta (see tips for adding zucchini)
  • Zucchini Fries

Where to get fresh zucchini?

If you can’t find it at your local grocery store or farmers’ market, I often get mine from Misfits Market. The zucchini I’ve been getting this summer are large and in better shape than the ones from our local store.

Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (11)

Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe

Learn how to make the best Zucchini Fritters that are both gluten and dairy free in this easy recipe.

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Recipe Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 7 cups shredded zucchini
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • cup coconut flour
  • 2-3 eggs - beaten
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Coconut oil - for the pan

Equipment

  • Food processor or cheese grater

  • Large mixing bowl

  • Nut Milk Bag or cheesecloth

  • Fork

  • Large skillet

  • Spatula

  • Wire cooling rack

Instructions

  • Use a cheese grater or food processor to shred your zucchini into a large bowl.

    Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (12)

  • Sprinkle salt over the grated zucchini and mix well, then let it sit for around 10 minutes.

    Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (13)

  • Next, place the zucchini in a nut milk bag or some cheesecloth and squeeze the extra water from the zucchini so it doesn’t make your fritters soggy.

    Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (14)

  • In a separate bowl, combine the squeezed zucchini with the coconut flour, eggs and black pepper. Don’t add additional salt as there is usually enough salt left from step 1.

    Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (15)

  • Melt a large spoonful of coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Press ¼ cup of the zucchini fritter mixture into the hot pan and flatten to form a patty.

    Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (16)

  • Cook each side of the zucchini patties for 3-5 minutes or until they’re golden brown. Repeat until the zucchini mixture is gone, adding extra oil to the pan as needed.

    Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (17)

  • Cool your cooked fritters on a cooling rack to prevent them from getting soggy.

    Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (18)

  • Serve your delicious gluten free zucchini fritters warm.

    Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (19)

Nutrition Information Per Serving

Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 667mg | Potassium: 1122mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 948IU | Vitamin C: 74mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 2mg

More Gluten Free Side Dish Recipes

How to Make Fermented Carrots

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (No Drain Recipe)

Easy Instant Pot Artichokes Recipe

Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes

Instant Pot Creamy Cauliflower Soup Recipe

Instant Pot Spanish Rice

Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a good substitute for flour in fritters? ›

Almond Flour: A little bit of almond flour gives the fritters a fabulous texture without adding many carbs. Coconut flour can also be substituted but you would only need 2-3 tablespoons.

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.

Why do you put baking powder in fritters? ›

They just need a simple, light batter of flour, cornstarch, and baking powder mixed with seltzer to tie them together. The seltzer and baking powder ensure that the fritters are shatteringly crisp–even slightly tired vegetables emerge from the oil crunchy, fresh, and sweet.

How do you keep fritters from falling apart? ›

Don't flip too often.

Let the fritters cook undisturbed for a few minutes, then flip only once and cook without moving again. This prevents them from falling apart and helps form that golden brown crust.

What gluten-free flour is closest to regular flour? ›

Brown rice flour is about as close to a 1:1 substitute for all-purpose flour as it gets since it provides structure and a “wheat-like” flavor.

Is pancake batter the same as fritter batter? ›

The main difference is that the fritter batter needs to be thicker than the pancake batter as it is has to form a light, crisp covering for various foods that are going to be deep-fried.

Does baking soda make fritters crispy? ›

Is baking soda or powder best for frying? A pinch of baking soda can help produce crispy fried foods. It reacts with the acid in the batter to create carbon dioxide bubbles. These lead to an airy batter and a crisper, fluffier result.

Can I use cornstarch instead of flour for fritters? ›

You can also use cornstarch/cornflour, or tapioca flour, instead. Of course, you can certainly just use all-purpose flour, but the fritters will not be as crispy.

What is used to coat fruit for fritters? ›

Batter is also used to coat fruit for fritters.

Does baking soda or baking powder help batter crispy? ›

Baking powder: Baking powder ensures a light and crispy exterior.

Is baking soda the same as baking powder? ›

Baking soda and baking powder are not the same. Sodium bicarbonate and bicarbonate of soda are other names for baking soda. Baking powder is made of baking soda plus cream of tartar and cornstarch. Baking powder can be substituted for baking soda by tripling the amount of baking powder.

What can I use to bind fritters instead of egg? ›

Some common egg substitutes include:
  1. Mashed banana. Mashed banana can act as a binding agent when baking or making pancake batter. ...
  2. Applesauce. Applesauce can also act as a binding agent. ...
  3. Fruit puree. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Gelatin. ...
  6. Xanthan gum. ...
  7. Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
  8. Margarine.
Mar 30, 2021

Should fritter batter be thick? ›

Because fritters need to maintain their form and not run when they hit the oil, your batter should be sturdy and thick, more like paste than Elmer's glue. It's the mortar that holds your ingredients together.

Why are my fritters rubbery? ›

Do not overwork the batter. To do so will produce a tough, rubbery fritter instead of a light but crusty one. Two cups of Bisquick can be substituted for the flour and baking soda if you'd like to have your fritters come out with a more cake-like texture.

What can I use if I don't have flour? ›

11 best flour substitutions
  • Chickpea flour. Often confused with besan (see below), chickpea flour is made from ground white chickpeas. ...
  • Almond flour. Almond flour is an excellent alternative to have in your kitchen cupboard. ...
  • Gluten-free flour mixture. ...
  • Coconut flour. ...
  • Gram flour (besan) ...
  • Rice flour. ...
  • Buckwheat flour. ...
  • Oat flour.
Jan 31, 2023

What can I substitute for flour when frying? ›

Good substitutes for frying include cornstarch, potato starch, and rice flour. Alternatives in baking include rice flour, chestnut flour, and all-purpose flour. Keto-friendly substitutes include almond flour, chia seed flour, psyllium husk powder, hazelnut flour, coconut flour and flaxseed meal.

How can I thicken my fritter batter? ›

Add flour to your wet batter! Most veggies have a high water content (which we know equals soggy fritters). But don't stress! Adding flour to a wetter batter will give you the thick consistency need to make the perfect batter.

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