These Greek zucchini fritters are crispy on the outside with a soft, creamy interior filled with fresh herbs and tangy feta. I like serving them with a zesty garlic yogurt sauce that balances the flavors beautifully.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it highlights fresh zucchini in the most delicious way. The combination of dill, parsley, and mint gives the fritters a bright and fragrant taste, while the feta melts into the zucchini, adding richness and tang. The panko coating creates a perfectly golden crust, and the garlic yogurt brings everything together with a refreshing finish. These fritters make a wonderful appetizer, snack, or even a light meal with a side salad.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Garlic Yogurt
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1 cup plain whole-milk strained (Greek-style) yogurt
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1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
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1 garlic clove, grated (about 2 teaspoons)
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Zucchini Fritters
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2 pounds zucchini
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1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
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2 large eggs
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3 medium scallions, thinly sliced (about 3/4 cup)
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3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
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3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
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7 ounces Greek sheep-milk feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 3/4 cups)
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1 1/2 cups panko, divided
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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1/2 cup vegetable oil, divided
Additional Garnish
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Nonpareil capers
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Fresh dill sprigs
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Chopped tomatoes
Directions
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For the garlic yogurt, I stir together yogurt, lemon zest and juice, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. I let it rest at room temperature for about an hour so the flavors meld.
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For the fritters, I shred the zucchini and mix it with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a colander. After 10–15 minutes, I squeeze out as much liquid as possible using a kitchen towel.
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In a large bowl, I whisk the eggs with scallions, dill, parsley, and mint. I then fold in the zucchini, feta, 1 cup of panko, pepper, and the remaining salt until combined.
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I shape the mixture into 12 patties and refrigerate them for 30 minutes.
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I coat each patty lightly in the remaining panko. In a skillet, I heat 2 tablespoons of oil and fry the patties in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 2–3 minutes per side.
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I keep them warm in a 200°F oven while finishing the rest. Finally, I garnish with capers, dill, and tomatoes and serve them with the garlic yogurt.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 6 servings, with about 12 fritters in total. The active prep time is about 30 minutes, while the total time is around 1 hour and 30 minutes including resting and chilling.
Variations
I sometimes swap the feta for a milder cheese like ricotta salata if I want a less tangy flavor. If I don’t have dill or mint on hand, I add more parsley for freshness. For a gluten-free version, I use gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of panko. I also enjoy making smaller fritters for bite-sized appetizers at gatherings.
storage/reheating
I store leftover fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, I prefer using the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, which helps them stay crisp. I avoid microwaving because it makes them soggy. The garlic yogurt can be kept refrigerated for 2 days.
FAQs
Can I make the fritters ahead of time?
Yes, I can prepare the patties a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated before frying. They hold their shape well.
How do I keep the fritters from falling apart?
I make sure to squeeze out as much water as possible from the zucchini and chill the patties before frying. This keeps them firm.
Can I bake these fritters instead of frying?
Yes, I can bake them on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F for about 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through. They won’t be as crispy as fried but still delicious.
What can I serve with zucchini fritters?
I like serving them with the garlic yogurt, a fresh salad, or even alongside grilled meats. They also make a great vegetarian main dish.
Can I freeze zucchini fritters?
Yes, I can freeze cooked fritters in a single layer, then transfer them to a freezer bag. To reheat, I bake them straight from frozen at 375°F until warmed through and crisp.
Conclusion
I love how these Greek zucchini fritters combine simple ingredients into something so flavorful and satisfying. With their crispy coating, creamy interior, and refreshing yogurt sauce, they are always a hit at my table. Whether I make them for a gathering or just for myself, they’re a recipe I come back to often.
Greek Zucchini Fritters with Garlic Yogurt
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Greek zucchini fritters (Kolokithokeftedes) are crispy on the outside, soft inside, and full of fresh herbs and tangy feta. Served with garlic yogurt, they make a delicious appetizer, snack, or light vegetarian meal.
- Author: Sophia
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (includes resting/chilling)
- Yield: 12 fritters (6 servings)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Garlic Yogurt:
- 1 cup plain whole-milk strained (Greek-style) yogurt
- ½ tsp lemon zest + 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, grated (about 2 tsp)
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- Zucchini Fritters:
- 2 lbs zucchini, shredded
- 1 tsp kosher salt, divided
- 2 large eggs
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced (about ¾ cup)
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
- 7 oz Greek sheep-milk feta, crumbled (about 1 ¾ cups)
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs, divided
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup vegetable oil, divided
- For Garnish:
- Nonpareil capers
- Fresh dill sprigs
- Chopped tomatoes
Instructions
- Make garlic yogurt: stir together yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Let rest 1 hour at room temperature.
- Shred zucchini and toss with ½ tsp salt in a colander. Let sit 10–15 minutes, then squeeze out liquid with a kitchen towel.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs with scallions, dill, parsley, and mint. Fold in zucchini, feta, 1 cup panko, pepper, and remaining salt until combined.
- Shape into 12 patties and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Coat patties lightly in remaining panko. Heat 2 tbsp oil in skillet and fry patties in batches, 2–3 minutes per side, until golden.
- Keep warm in a 200°F oven while frying remaining fritters. Garnish with capers, dill, and tomatoes. Serve with garlic yogurt.
Notes
- Drain zucchini well to prevent soggy fritters.
- Swap feta for ricotta salata for a milder flavor.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.
- Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes (flipping halfway) for a lighter option.
- Make smaller patties for bite-sized appetizers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 fritters with yogurt
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg