Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters have saved so many weeknights at my house. You know those evenings when you want something hot, crispy, and veggie-packed without babysitting a skillet? That is this recipe in a nutshell. I mix everything in one bowl, scoop little mounds into the air fryer, and dinner practically cooks itself while I tidy the counter. If you need a reliable air fryer, I’ve been loving this model because it heats evenly and the basket cleans up fast. Let me show you how to make fritters that are light, golden, and full of flavor, without grease or fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’ve got a couple of zucchinis rolling around the crisper, this is the best way to turn them into something craveable. Air fryer fritters deliver that satisfying crunch without a deep pot of oil, and they’re ready in under 30 minutes. They’re also flexible. You can swap the herbs, spike the batter with a different cheese, or keep them mild for kids. The outside gets crisp and the inside stays tender, thanks to a few simple steps that squeeze out extra moisture and lock in flavor.
The Story Behind This Recipe
I’m Cuts Food, the cook behind this Deliciously Easy Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters. After a few test runs, I dialed in the flavors so it’s weeknight-friendly and full of comfort vibes. Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters have saved so many weeknights at my house. You know those evenings when you want something hot, crispy, and veggie-packed without babysitting…
I love that these fit a lot of eating styles. They’re naturally veggie-forward, and you can make them gluten-free by using almond flour or a 1-to-1 blend. Serving them is easy too. They go next to a salad, on top of rice bowls, or even in a pita with yogurt sauce. If you’re new to air frying, I’ve got more beginner-friendly ideas in my air fryer collection, but start here and you’ll be hooked.
One more reason to love them: they reheat surprisingly well. Pop them back in the air fryer and they turn crisp again, so you can cook a few extra for tomorrow’s lunch. And unlike pan-fried fritters, you won’t be standing over a hot stove flipping batch after batch. These go in, you hit start, and the air fryer does the rest.
“Made these on a busy Tuesday and my kids asked for seconds. Crispy edges, soft inside, and zero splattering oil. Keeper!”
Ingredients Needed
Most of these are pantry staples, and you can tweak the seasonings to match what you love. Here’s what I use for reliably crisp, tasty Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters:
- 2 medium zucchinis, grated
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or panko
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped scallions or onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or dill
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika or chili powder, optional
- Olive oil spray for the basket and tops
- Yogurt or sour cream for serving, optional
Tip: If your zucchinis are on the larger side, they can be a bit wetter and slightly seedy. Just remove the big seeds and make sure to squeeze them drier. If you enjoy fritters in general, you might also love my easy chicken version for a protein twist. Try these easy cheesy chicken fritters when you want something heartier.
How to Make Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters
This is a simple, repeatable method. The key is squeezing the zucchini well and preheating your air fryer so the fritters hit a hot surface and start crisping instantly.
Prep the zucchini
- Grate: Use the large side of a box grater to shred the zucchinis into a bowl.
- Salt and rest: Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and let sit 5 minutes to draw out moisture.
- Squeeze: Grab handfuls and squeeze over the sink or a clean towel until the shreds feel dry to the touch.
Mix the batter
- Combine: In a mixing bowl, add squeezed zucchini, egg, breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic, scallions, herbs, salt, pepper, and any spices. Stir until everything looks evenly moistened and sticks together when pressed.
- Adjust: If the mix looks too wet, sprinkle in a little more breadcrumbs. If it looks dry or crumbly, add a teaspoon of olive oil or a splash of milk.
Air fry and finish
- Preheat: Heat your air fryer to 390°F for 3 minutes.
- Shape: Lightly spray the basket. Scoop 2 tablespoons of batter per fritter and flatten into rounds about 1/2 inch thick. Leave a little space between them.
- Spray tops: Mist the tops with olive oil spray for extra crisping.
- Cook: Air fry 8 to 10 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook another 5 to 7 minutes, until browned and crisp.
- Serve: Sprinkle with a pinch of salt while hot and add a squeeze of lemon if you like.
Pro tip: Every air fryer runs a bit differently. If yours runs hot, check early the first time you make these. I learned this while testing batches for other crispy bites like these air fryer pork belly bites and the timing can vary by a couple minutes.
Texture notes: The fritter mix should hold together when pressed but not feel soupy. Squeezing is crucial. Too much moisture can make them steam instead of crisp. If you’re unsure, cook one test fritter. If it spreads a lot, mix in a tablespoon more breadcrumbs and try again.
How to Serve Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters
I like to keep it simple: a dollop of lemony yogurt sauce and fresh herbs. Mix plain yogurt with a little lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. If you prefer a creamier dip, sour cream works great with dill. For a light dinner, pair the fritters with arugula tossed in olive oil and vinegar.
They also shine as a side. Serve them with seafood, like these garlicky beauties air fryer shrimp, or set them next to a rice bowl with this savory favorite, the teriyaki salmon bowl. The crisp-tender vibe of the fritters plays so well with juicy proteins. If you want a contrast, a quick tomato and cucumber salad adds brightness and crunch.
As an appetizer, make mini fritters and serve with toothpicks and two dips. A spicy mayo and a herby yogurt are always a hit. If you’re looking for a sweet finish after a savory spread, those air fried treats like sweet plantains or churro bites are amazing straight from the basket. I’ll link them when I post the full menu, but honestly, your guests will devour the fritters first.
Storing Leftovers and Reheating
Let the fritters cool fully on a wire rack so the bottoms don’t get soggy in the container. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer on a sheet pan, then move to a freezer bag. They reheat beautifully.
To reheat, place chilled fritters in a preheated air fryer at 360°F for 3 to 4 minutes, flipping once. For frozen, 6 to 8 minutes usually does it. If you’re packing them for lunch, keep the sauce separate and warm the fritters when you can. This method keeps the outside crisp and the inside soft. For more low-effort air fryer meals that reheat well, I also like this comforting option on busy nights: air fryer chicken breast and potatoes.
Common Questions
Q: How do I keep Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters from getting soggy?
A: Squeeze the zucchini well and don’t crowd the basket. A little oil spray on top helps crisp them up too.
Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
A: Yes. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or a 1-to-1 flour blend. Almond flour also works, but add a bit more if the batter seems wet.
Q: Do I have to flip them?
A: Flipping once gives even browning on both sides. It takes 5 seconds and makes a difference.
Q: Can I add other veggies?
A: Absolutely. Grated carrot, corn kernels, or finely chopped spinach are all great. Just don’t overload the batter with extra moisture.
Q: What cheese is best?
A: Parmesan gives a salty, nutty flavor and helps crisp the edges. Cheddar is delicious too, but use it lightly so the fritters don’t ooze.
Your New Favorite Crispy Veggie Fix
There you have it: crispy, golden fritters with a tender middle that you can whip up any night. Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters hit that perfect mix of simple, fast, and crowd-pleasing. If you want to compare methods or see other flavor ideas, I found helpful tips from these guides too: the easy, family-friendly approach in Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters Recipe – The Gracious Wife and the step-by-step breakdown in Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters (easy recipe!) – Dizzy Busy and Hungry!. Give this a try tonight and tweak the seasonings until it’s your version. Once you nail your preferred texture, you’ll be making a double batch for lunch tomorrow too. Happy air frying, and enjoy every crunchy bite. 
Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters
Ingredients
Method
- Grate the zucchinis using the large side of a box grater into a bowl.
- Sprinkle the grated zucchini with a pinch of salt and let it sit for 5 minutes to draw out moisture.
- Grab handfuls of zucchini and squeeze over the sink or a clean towel until the shreds feel dry to the touch.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the squeezed zucchini, egg, breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic, scallions, herbs, salt, pepper, and any spices. Stir until evenly moistened.
- Adjust the mixture if needed: if it looks too wet, add more breadcrumbs; if too dry, add a teaspoon of olive oil or a splash of milk.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 3 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket. Scoop 2 tablespoons of batter for each fritter and flatten into rounds about 1/2 inch thick, leaving space between them.
- Mist the tops with olive oil spray for extra crisping.
- Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, then flip, spray again, and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until browned and crisp.
- Sprinkle with a pinch of salt while hot and add a squeeze of lemon if desired.
