Crispy Zucchini & Parmesan Fritters with Greek Tzatziki Sauce! Easy 30-minute recipe for golden, vegetarian-friendly appetizers or snacks.
Imagine golden edges, a cheesy melt-in-your-mouth center,
If summer had a flavor, I swear it would taste like these crispy zucchini and Parmesan fritters dunked in a chilled swirl of creamy tzatziki. Imagine golden edges, a cheesy melt-in-your-mouth center, and the herby coolness of garlic-laced yogurt to tie it all together.

A crunchy little miracle disguised as a side dish
This isn't just another way to use up that zucchini your garden insists on overproducing (although, it totally is). It’s a crunchy little miracle disguised as a side dish but bold enough to star at brunch or dinner.

🔥 Why You’ll Love This Zucchini Fritter Recipe
- Crispy outside, fluffy inside — no soggy fritters here!
- Packed with savory Parmesan and herbs
- Easy to prep and pan-fry in under 30 minutes
- Naturally vegetarian, with gluten-free and vegan options
- The tzatziki dipping sauce? Chef’s kiss. Cool, creamy perfection.
These zucchini fritters are a fun, flavorful riff on your usual zucchini bread recipes, leaning savory rather than sweet. But don’t worry—we still love a good chocolate zucchini bread for dessert.

Recipe for > Tzatziki is a delicious and refreshing Mediterranean sauce made with yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and olive oil.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 (makes 12-14 fritters)
📄 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Zucchini Parmesan Fritters:
- 2 medium zucchini, grated and drained
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 1 large egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or dill!)
- Olive oil, for pan-frying
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ½ large cucumber, grated and drained
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, grated or minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- Salt to taste
🍽️ Step-by-Step: How to Make Zucchini Fritters with Tzatziki
1. Grate and Salt the Zucchini
- Using the coarse side of a box grater, shred the zucchini into a colander.
- Sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and toss. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
2. Drain the Zucchini Thoroughly
- After resting, squeeze the zucchini dry using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Twist tightly and wring out as much liquid as possible.
- Transfer the dry zucchini to a large mixing bowl.
Pro Tip: You should end up with around 1 to 1 ½ cups of packed, dry zucchini. The drier it is, the crispier your fritters will be.
3. Make the Fritter Batter
- To the bowl with the zucchini, add Parmesan, flour, egg, garlic, baking powder, parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Stir until fully combined. The batter should be thick and scoopable, not runny. Add a spoonful of flour if it’s too wet.
4. Heat the Oil
- Pour a thin layer of olive oil into a large skillet and heat over medium heat until shimmering (not smoking).
5. Fry the Fritters
- Scoop the batter using a spoon or small cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons each), then drop into the hot pan.
- Use a spatula to gently flatten each scoop into a patty shape.
- Fry for about 3–4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer cooked fritters to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Keep warm in a low oven if needed.
6. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce
- While the fritters cook, make the tzatziki: Combine yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, and salt in a bowl.
- Stir well and chill until ready to serve.
Tip: Tzatziki tastes best when it's had at least 10–15 minutes to sit so the flavors can meld.
🧂 Essential Utensils and Tools
- Box grater – For shredding zucchini and cucumber.
- Colander – To let salted zucchini drain properly.
- Clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth – For squeezing moisture out of the grated zucchini and cucumber.
- Mixing bowls (2–3) – One for the fritter batter, one for the tzatziki sauce, and one for draining.
- Measuring cups and spoons – For accurate ingredient prep.
- Large skillet or non-stick frying pan – For frying the fritters.
- Spatula or fish turner – For flipping the fritters without breaking them.
- Paper towels – To drain excess oil after frying.
- Spoon or cookie scoop – To portion the fritter batter evenly.
- Whisk or fork – For mixing the egg and tzatziki ingredients smoothly.
🧑🍳 Ingredient Variations & Customizations
Want to mix things up? Here are some delicious options:
- Vegan: Use vegan Parmesan and a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed + 2.5 tablespoon water).
- Gluten-free: Swap the flour for almond or chickpea flour.
- Add-ins: Chopped spinach, shredded carrot, or even crumbled feta.
- Spiced up: Add red chili flakes or cumin for a flavor kick.
These fritters even pair beautifully with other zucchini and yellow squash recipes or served over zucchini pasta for a double dose of veggie bliss.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions
These zucchini fritters are as versatile as your brunch dreams:
- As a snack with extra tzatziki (or hummus!)
- Served with a light salad and lemon vinaigrette
- Tucked into pita bread with lettuce and tomatoes
- Alongside grilled chicken or lamb for a Mediterranean dinner
- Next to a soft-poached egg for the ultimate savory breakfast
Pair them with chilled rosé, cucumber water, or even mint tea for peak summer vibes.
❓ FAQs & Troubleshooting
Q: My fritters are soggy—what went wrong?
Likely too much moisture. Be ruthless with draining that zucchini.
Q: Can I bake them instead of frying?
Totally. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.
Q: Can I freeze these?
Yes! Let them cool, then freeze on a tray before transferring to a bag. Reheat in the oven or air fryer.
Q: Can I air fry these?
Yep! Air fry at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping once. Try other air fryer zucchini recipes too!
Other ZUCCHINI recipes for you ..
Zucchini quinoa fritters > with sour cream is a delicious, healthy dish that is perfect for any family gathering.
Breaded fried zucchini sticks! > made with fresh zucchini, and they're a great way to get your daily dose of veggies.
Zucchini fries paired with marinara sauce! > lightly battered zucchini fries are guaranteed to be a hit among any crowd.

Easy Zucchini and Parmesan Fritters Recipe with Greek Tzatziki Sauce
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 - 14 servings 1x
Ingredients
📄 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Zucchini Parmesan Fritters:
-
- 2 medium zucchini, grated and drained
-
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
-
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
-
- 1 large egg
-
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
-
- ¼ tsp baking powder
-
- Salt and pepper to taste
-
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or dill!)
-
- Olive oil, for pan-frying
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
-
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
-
- ½ large cucumber, grated and drained
-
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
-
- 1 clove garlic, grated or minced
-
- 1 tbsp olive oil
-
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
-
- Salt to taste
Instructions
🍽️ Step-by-Step: How to Make Zucchini Fritters with Tzatziki
1. Grate and Salt the Zucchini
-
- Using the coarse side of a box grater, shred the zucchini into a colander.
-
- Sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and toss. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
2. Drain the Zucchini Thoroughly
-
- After resting, squeeze the zucchini dry using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Twist tightly and wring out as much liquid as possible.
-
- Transfer the dry zucchini to a large mixing bowl.
Pro Tip: You should end up with around 1 to 1 ½ cups of packed, dry zucchini. The drier it is, the crispier your fritters will be.
3. Make the Fritter Batter
-
- To the bowl with the zucchini, add Parmesan, flour, egg, garlic, baking powder, parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
-
- Stir until fully combined. The batter should be thick and scoopable, not runny. Add a spoonful of flour if it’s too wet.
4. Heat the Oil
-
- Pour a thin layer of olive oil into a large skillet and heat over medium heat until shimmering (not smoking).
5. Fry the Fritters
-
- Scoop the batter using a spoon or small cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons each), then drop into the hot pan.
-
- Use a spatula to gently flatten each scoop into a patty shape.
-
- Fry for about 3–4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
-
- Transfer cooked fritters to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Keep warm in a low oven if needed.
6. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce
-
- While the fritters cook, make the tzatziki: Combine yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, and salt in a bowl.
-
- Stir well and chill until ready to serve.
Tip: Tzatziki tastes best when it's had at least 10–15 minutes to sit so the flavors can meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes

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