Zucchini Ricotta Fritters
on Aug 30, 2022, Updated May 08, 2024
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My mom’s Zucchini Ricotta Fritters are wildly delicious! These are pillowy soft and so very easy to prepare. You simply combine the ingredients, form them into patties, and ♨️ air fry. This dish is on rotation in my household and requires no fuss or mess at all when using the air fryer. These pair perfectly with a refreshing yogurt sauce or a nice 🥗 green salad on the side.
Why You’ll Love Zucchini Ricotta Fritters
These Zucchini Ricotta Fritters are ridiculously easy to prepare, and a hit with everyone who tries them 😋. They’re a great way to use up all of that garden zucchini and the ricotta cheese is such a great addition! They’re not heavy at all, and by squeezing out all the excess 💧 water you will always get a fluffy and delicious bite.
How to Prepare Zucchini Ricotta Fritters
👩🍳 Start by using a box grater to grate your zucchini (you should have about 1 cup total).
💧 Then, place the zucchini into a nut milk bag or cheesecloth (or use your clean hands) and squeeze out as much water as you can.
🥣 Now, add the ricotta, egg, salt, grated zucchini, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and basil to a bowl. Mix well until fully combined.
🌀 Using a 1/4 cup measure, scoop out a portion of the mixture into your hands and then roll into a ball and flatten into a disc. Repeat this step for the rest of the mixture; you should have 6 discs in total.
♨️ Spray the discs with cooking spray and cook in a 400F (200F) air fryer for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned all over.
😋 Serve and enjoy!
Nonna’s Tip 🧑🍳
Make sure your fritters are light and fluffy by removing as much moisture as possible from the grated zucchini. I like to squeeze the zucchini by hand, using cheesecloth, a nut milk bag or even a clean kitchen cloth.
Variations and Substitutions for Zucchini Ricotta Fritters
- Instead of Parmesan cheese, you can use any low moisture cheese, such as pecorino Romano, grated Manchego, or gruyere.
- You can substitute basil with fresh dill, parsley, or any herb of your choosing.
- Make these Zucchini Ricotta Fritters by using your favorite gluten-free breadcrumb instead of regular breadcrumbs.
Similar Recipes
Zucchini Cakes
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Zucchini Rolls
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Grilled Zucchini Recipe
10 mins
Fried Zucchini Flowers
15 mins
Zucchini Fritters Recipe
15 mins
Zucchini Pizza Boats
25 mins
Best Served With
- A big, fresh salad like my Wedge Salad or Simple Green Salad.
- Try these Zucchini Ricotta Fritters topped with a poached or fried egg.
- A creamy yogurt-based dip, like a garlic sauce or even a Tzatziki would be nice!
Common Questions
Instead of Parmesan cheese, you can use any low moisture cheese, such as pecorino romano, grated manchego, or gruyere. You can also use your favorite non-dairy Parm substitute.
You can substitute basil with fresh dill, parsley, or any herb of your choosing.
I use this COSORI Pro II Air Fryer which I absolutely love! If you have another brand, please use their recommended temperature and cooking time as each appliance will vary.
Yes, these fritters can also be baked in a 400F (200C) standard kitchen oven. They will likely take more time to cook than in the air fryer, so watch them carefully to ensure they do not burn, checking on them every 5 minutes or so.
To make these on the stovetop, cover a skillet in a thin layer of neutral oil, such as avocado oil, and warm over medium-high heat. Cook the fritters for about 5 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned all over.
Yes, you certainly can freeze these fritters. I like to make a double batch and freeze for another meal.
Yes, feel free to use your favorite gluten-free breadcrumb to make these gluten-free.
Make sure your fritters are light and fluffy by trying to remove as much moisture as possible from the grated zucchini. I like to squeeze the zucchini by hand either in cheesecloth, a nut milk bag or even a clean kitchen cloth.
Zucchini Ricotta Fritters
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini, 100 grams
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese, 100 grams
- 1 large egg
- pinch of salt
- ½ cup grated parmigiano reggiano , 50 grams
- ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs, 50 grams
- few basil leaves, sliced, ripped or chopped
Instructions
- Grate the zucchini; you should have about 1 cup. Place the zucchini into a nut milk bag, cheesecloth (or use your clean hands) and squeeze out as much water as you can. You can save the zucchini water for smoothies if you wish.
- In a bowl, add the ricotta, egg, salt, grated zucchini, parm, breadcrumbs, and basil. Mix well until fully combined.
- Using a 1/4 cup measure, scoop out a portion of the mixture into your hands. Roll the mixture into a ball and then flatten into a disc. Repeat this step for the rest of the mixture; you should have 6 discs in total.
- Spray the discs with cooking spray and cook in a 400F (200C) air fryer for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned all over. Be sure to preheat the air fryer first, if you have that setting, and make sure you check on the fritters around the 6 minute mark. Serve and enjoy.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yummiest crispiest potatoes!
Can I sub ricotta for cottage cheese?
Love your recipes! Thanks!
Yes, that would be delicious!
Can you make it so the equipment doesn’t print?
On my end, when I press “print recipe” in the recipe card, I do not see the equipment links. When you follow the same steps, do you still see equipment?
I doubled the recipe and used one large zucchini – they tasted great! The parm and basil really come through (I added a LOT of basil). Nice texture too! I air fried at 400 degrees for 10 min, flipped and did another 5 min and they were perfect.
Love the improvisations! Sounds amazing — fresh basil is so good in the summer!
Hi can these be made in oven? Thanks
Hi Mercedes! Yes, you can make these in a 400F oven on a parchment paper lined baking tray. Flip the fritters over halfway through baking. They will likely take more time to cook than in the air fryer, so watch them carefully to ensure they do not burn, checking on them every 5 minutes or so.