Vegan Zucchini Fritters (Gluten-Free) Recipe
These Vegan Zucchini Fritters are a delicious, gluten-free snack or appetizer featuring grated zucchini combined with chickpea flour and flavorful spices. Perfectly crisp on the outside and tender inside, they are pan-fried to a golden brown and make a healthy, satisfying vegan option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 14 fritters
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten-Free
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Zucchini Base
- 2 large (or 3 medium or 4 small) zucchini, grated (about 4 cups)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt or pink salt
Batter and Seasonings
- 1 cup chickpea (garbanzo bean) flour
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds or ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Grate and Salt Zucchini: Grate the zucchini into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with salt. Let it sit for 5 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- Squeeze Excess Water: Using your hands, squeeze the zucchini to remove as much liquid as possible. Pour off the excess liquid and repeat this process until the zucchini feels dryer.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the chickpea flour, nutritional yeast, olive oil, garlic powder, baking powder, cumin, chili powder, oregano, and black pepper to the zucchini.
- Mix Batter Thoroughly: Stir vigorously until the mixture is well combined and forms a consistent batter.
- Taste and Adjust Salt: Optionally check the salt level and add more if needed to suit your taste preference.
- Heat Skillet and Grease: Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with olive oil.
- Scoop and Shape Batter: With wet hands or using an ice cream scoop, take about golf ball-sized portions of the batter and place them onto the skillet. Flatten each slightly with a spatula. You can cook 4–5 fritters at a time.
- Cook Until Golden: Cook the fritters about 3–5 minutes until they turn golden on one side, then flip and cook the other side until golden as well.
- Finish Cooking Remaining Batter: Repeat the cooking process with the remaining batter, adding more oil if necessary.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once all fritters are cooked and golden, serve immediately and enjoy this healthy, vegan, gluten-free treat!
Notes
- Make sure to thoroughly squeeze out excess zucchini water to prevent soggy fritters.
- If chickpea flour is unavailable, other gluten-free flour alternatives can be used but may alter texture.
- Adjust spices according to your preference for more or less heat and flavor.
- These fritters are best served immediately for optimum crispness but can be reheated gently on a skillet.
- To keep the fritters warm, place cooked fritters on a baking sheet in a low oven (about 200°F/90°C) while finishing the rest.
