We’re always looking for easy ways to make clean eating taste amazing—and these healthy zucchini fritters do exactly that. They’re crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and packed with protein and fiber to keep you full and fueled. You can meal prep them for the week, serve them as a side dish or have them as post-workout snack.

Zucchini is one of our go-to ingredients when we want something light but satisfying. It’s low in calories, high in fiber, and blends right into savory recipes like this one. And by swapping out refined flour for oat or almond flour, we’ve kept things gluten-free and lower in carbs—without losing that golden, pan-fried color you expect from a great fritter.

Not Your Average Veggie Fritter

We’ve made a lot of healthy side dishes, but very often we come back to these zucchini fritters. They’re everything we look for when building a clean, balanced plate—high in protein, naturally low in carbs, and full of real, whole-food ingredients. And crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful inside.

What we really love is how quickly they can be made. You don’t need a deep fryer or tons of oil to get that golden sear. Just a hot pan or an air fryer, and you’re good to go. They fit into any eating plan without feeling like “diet food”, whether it’s breakfast with an egg on top, lunch with a side salad, or meal prep for the week ahead.

Ingredients (Makes 8 Fritters)

• 2 medium zucchinis, grated
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup oat flour (or almond flour for low-carb option)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, but adds richness and crispness)
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or olive oil spray for pan-frying

Instructions

1. Prepare the Zucchini

Start by washing and trimming the ends of your zucchinis. Use a box grater or food processor to shred the zucchini into fine pieces. Then, transfer the grated zucchini into a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Twist and squeeze to remove as much water as possible. This is the secret to crispy fritters, so don’t skip this step! Excess moisture will make your batter soggy and prevent browning.

2. Mix the Fritter Batter

In a large mixing bowl, add the drained zucchini, eggs, oat or almond flour, grated Parmesan (if using), Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, minced garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until you form a thick, cohesive mixture. If the batter seems too wet, sprinkle in an extra tablespoon of flour.

3. Preheat the Pan

Place a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil or coat the surface with olive oil spray. Let the pan heat up for 1–2 minutes. A hot pan helps the fritters sear quickly and prevents sticking.

4. Cook the Fritters

Using a spoon or your hands, scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the zucchini batter and shape it into a small patty. Gently place it in the hot skillet and flatten it slightly with a spatula. Repeat the same with the remaining batter and space them out so they don’t overcrowd the pan.

Let them cook for 3–4 minutes on the first side, or until you see a deep golden color. Flip them carefully and cook for another 2–3 minutes. To avoid burning adjust the heat if needed.

5. Serve Warm

Once the fritters are crisped and cooked through, remove them from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. You can serve them hot, topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt, a fried or poached egg, or even some avocado slices.

Optional Air Fryer Instructions

If you’d rather air fry them, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the basket with olive oil. Place formed patties into the basket in a single layer, then cook for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through for even browning.

Save Some for Later

These zucchini fritters are great option for weekly meal prep because they hold up really well. Once they’re cooked and cooled, just pop them into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days. If you want to freeze a batch, lay them out in a single layer first so they don’t stick, then transfer to a freezer bag once they’re solid.

When it’s time to reheat, avoid the microwave if you want to keep that crispy texture. We like tossing them back in a hot skillet or the air fryer for a few minutes until they’re warmed through and crispy again.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving: 2 Fritters)

Values are estimates based on standard ingredients and may vary depending on exact brands used.

How We Make Them Our Own

We love tweaking them depending on what we have in the fridge or what our week looks like. We’ll put in a little shredded chicken or a can of tuna if we want to turn them into a complete meal. For a dairy-free version, we’ve had great results using plant-based yogurt and skipping the cheese.

If you’re into heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeño gives the batter a nice kick. And when we want different flavor flavor, we play with herbs—basil, mint, or chives bring a whole different vibe. It’s easy to customize it to fit your taste and goals.

Healthy Zucchini Fritters Side Dish

Crispy, protein-packed zucchini fritters made with clean ingredients. Perfect as a healthy side dish or snack.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American (clean eating)

Servings 4

Calories 130 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2 medium zucchinis, grated
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup oat flour (or almond flour for low-carb option)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, but adds richness and crispness)
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced
• 1/4 tsp teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano or thyme
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or dill
• 1 tbsp olive oil or olive oil spray for pan-frying

Instructions

 

• Grate zucchini, then squeeze out excess moisture.
• Combine grated zucchini with egg, flour (or alternate), herbs/spices, and any mix-ins until batter forms.
• Heat a non-stick skillet with a little oil over medium heat.
• Scoop batter (about ¼ cup each) into skillet and flatten into fritters.
• Cook ~3-4 minutes per side or until golden and cooked through.
• Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

Notes

• Squeeze as much water out of the zucchini as you can, helps fritters get crispy.
   
• Serve with a Greek yogurt dip, tzatziki or fresh herbs for added flavor.
   
• Leftovers: Store in an airtight container and reheat in a skillet or oven for best texture.
   
• For lower carbs: Use almond flour or coconut flour as alternative.
   
• These make a great addition to a clean-eating dinner plate or a fitness-focused meal prep.

Keyword clean eating sides, healthy zucchini fritters, high protein fritters, low carb fritters, zucchini side dish

Our Take

These healthy zucchini fritters will support your clean eating goals without compromising flavor. It’s a versatile and protein-rich recipe. They are easy to make, meal-prep friendly, and satisfying. Enjoy them as a snack, a lunch bowl base, or a side dish at dinner.