Zucchini Fritters with Pesto Aioli
Perfect as a side or as its own meal, these simple-to-make zucchini fritters are great for the summer. Using an abundantly available vegetable combined with scallions, this crispy dish will quickly become a family favorite. Served with homemade pesto aioli, these fritters give a fried texture an elevated taste.
Servings: 12 fritters
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded zucchini
- 2 large eggs
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ⅓ cup minced scallions
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¾ tsp baking powder
For the pesto aioli
- ¼ cup pesto
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise and remove the seeds with a spoon. Shred the zucchini, measure by lightly packing the shredded zucchini into the measuring cup, and set it aside.2 cups shredded zucchini
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs until they are combined. Add the zucchini and stir to combine. Add the black pepper, garlic powder, kosher salt, minced scallion, all-purpose flour, Parmesan cheese, and baking powder. Mix all the ingredients together.2 large eggs, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp kosher salt, ⅓ cup minced scallions, 1 cup all-purpose flour, ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¾ tsp baking powder
- Heat 2 tbsp of neutral oil over medium heat in a 12-inch skillet or griddle. Once the oil is hot, scoop 1-ounce (or 2 tbsp) dollops of batter into the skillet. Press the batter out into roughly 3-inch round fritters, leaving at least 1-inch between each fritter. Pan fry the fritters, flipping once until they are golden brown on both sides, 3-4 minutes per side.
- Once the fritters are finished, place them on a baking rack fitted into a baking sheet. To keep them warm, place them in a 200°F oven between making batches of fritters.
- To serve, prepare the pesto aioli by stirring together the mayonnaise, pesto, and salt. Serve dollops of sauce with each fritter.¼ cup pesto, ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ tsp kosher salt
Video
Notes
- For larger zucchini, remove the center with seeds. It can detract from the flavor and add too much moisture. A smaller-sized zucchini will not necessarily need the seeds removed, but there is no harm in doing so.
- Make sure to properly heat the pan with oil before frying. This prevents sticking and helps the fritters cook properly. Additionally, wait to flip the fritters until they are ready to release from the pan.
- When portioning out the fritters, use a #40 scoop to achieve evenly-sized fritters. The release mechanism on this type of scoop will also push out the batter easily.
- Once cooked, place the fritters on a pan fitted with a rack and place them in the oven at 200°F to keep warm. This allows you to fry them in batches or wait to serve them later.
Nutrition
Serving: 1fritter | Calories: 145kcal