Along with zucchini muffins and zucchini bread, zucchini fritters are one of the classic ways to use up an over-abundance of everyone’s favourite summer squash, whether it comes from your garden, your CSA box, or your neighbors. But traditional zucchini fritters use eggs and all-purpose flour for binding, which means they’re a no-go for vegans and anyone who needs to avoid gluten. Good news, friends—making gluten-free vegan zucchini fritters is easy as can be! A sticky flax egg and coconut flour help hold the fritters together while they’re pan-fried to crispy perfection. These gluten-free vegan zucchini fritters—or vegan courgette fritters for friends in the British Commonwealth—come together in under 30 minutes, which means they’re ideal for those lovely summer days when it would be a shame to spend all evening in the kitchen cooking dinner. Plus, they’re perfect for piling high with all kinds of summery toppings like heirloom tomatoes, fresh herbs… so many possibilities!
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
Zucchini – Smaller zucchini is best, as it has more flavour and fewer large seeds.Garlic powder – This allows you to add lots of garlicky flavour without having to crush a bunch of garlic cloves!Sea saltParsley – Feel free to substitute another fresh herb that’s in season or that you have on hand. Chives are quite good in this recipe!Ground black pepperCoconut flour Flax eggs – Learn how to make a flax egg.Coconut or olive oil – Or another cooking oil you like or have on hand.Lime wedges
What is the best way to grate zucchini?
The best way to grate zucchini is to use a box grater. Simply place the zucchini against the large, flat holes of the grater and gently move it back and forth against the blades until all the flesh has been grated. You can also use a food processor fitted with a grating blade if you prefer. Some food processors do this better than others; if yours tends to grate foods into bits, you’re better off with the box grater.
How to Make Gluten-Free Vegan Zucchini Fritters
Once you grate the zucchini, it’s smooth sailing from there on out! The rest of the recipe comes together quickly.
Salt the zucchini. Transfer the grated zucchini to a cheesecloth or thin kitchen towel, then place this in a colander set in your kitchen sink. Sprinkle the zucchini with the 1 teaspoon of salt and let this sit for 10 minutes; the salt will help pull the moisture from the zucchini.Drain. Use the cheesecloth or towel to squeeze as much liquid from the zucchini as possible. Wring the cloth over the sink, squeezing as hard as you can.Make the fritter mixture. Add the zucchini to a mixing bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients until just combined.Form the fritters. Form balls with 2 tablespoons of batter; flatten them slightly on a plate or baking sheet. You should have about 10 fritters.Cook. Heat the oil in a pan set over high heat. Add the zucchini fritters, leaving some space between each, and cook each side for about 4 minutes, or until they’re golden brown. Serve. Plate the fritters and serve with vegan sour cream, lime crema, or vegan Greek yogurt and lime wedges to squeeze over the top.
Tips for Success
Here are some additional tips to make sure you get perfect, crispy gluten-free vegan zucchini fritters.
Get as much water out as you can. The zucchini should be as dry as possible; zucchini holds a lot of liquid and that moisture will keep your fritters from frying up crispy.Aim for a thick batter. If it’s too runny, add more coconut flour. A thick batter will help your fritters hold together.Make sure your pan is hot before adding the fritters. This will allow them to achieve that perfect golden crust. Don’t overcrowd your pan. It’s better to cook the fritters in batches than crowd them in the pan, which will result in soggy fritters.
Variations and Topping Ideas
There are so many fun ways to switch up this recipe for vegan zucchini fritters! Here are some of my favourites:
Try adding some vegan cheese or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavour. Add sliced green onions to the fritter mixture, or use them as a garnish.Spice it up with some cayenne pepper or hot sauce.Make them into burgers instead of fritters by dividing the mixture into four larger patties.Use them as a base for a vegan caprese topping.Swap the zucchini for yellow squash or another summer squash variety.Spoon cashew cream or black bean avocado and corn salad on top.
How to Store
These vegan zucchini fritters can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. I recommend reheating them in a 400ºF oven or air fryer to restore their original crispiness, but the microwave will work too; they just won’t be as crispy that way.
Can This Recipe Be Frozen?
Yes, these vegan zucchini fritters can be frozen for up to 3 months. Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag; if you need to stack them, place parchment paper between the layers. Let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat according to the directions above.
More Easy Summer Dinner Ideas
Gluten Free Focaccia Bread with Garlic, Rosemary and TomatoesAir Fryer Green BeansMexican Street Corn Burrito BowlsWatermelon Feta Salad with Balsamic Reduction
P.S. Here are some of the items I used to make this recipe if you’d like to use them too: | WHAT YOU’LL NEED // SHOP MY FAVORITE INGREDIENTS & PREP PRODUCTS | Enjoy friends! If you make this gluten-free vegan zucchini fritter recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
