Chickpea Zucchini Fritters (Easy Mediterranean Recipe) Recipe

Introduction

These Chickpea Zucchini Fritters are a delicious and easy Mediterranean-inspired dish. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they’re perfect as a snack, appetizer, or light meal. Made with simple ingredients, they come together quickly and offer a flavorful, healthy option for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 pound zucchini (grated – about 2 medium)
• 1 can chickpeas (15 oz / 400 g can – rinsed and drained well)
• 1 large egg (or 2 eggs if small)
• 1 small red onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 clove garlic (grated)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or dried dill)
• ½ cup all-purpose flour (up to ¾ cup if batter is wet)
• ½ cup crumbled feta (or grated parmesan)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Grate the zucchini on the large side of a grater and place it in a bowl or colander. Sprinkle with two pinches of salt and let it sit for 10 minutes to release excess water.
2. Step 2: Squeeze the grated zucchini thoroughly with your hands or a clean kitchen towel to remove as much liquid as possible. This helps prevent soggy fritters.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, mash the drained chickpeas with a fork, leaving some chunks for texture. Add the egg and mix well.
4. Step 4: Stir in the squeezed zucchini, thinly sliced red onion, grated garlic, dried oregano, flour, crumbled feta, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined into a thick batter. Add a little more flour if the batter feels too wet.
5. Step 5: Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Scoop spoonfuls of batter into the pan and gently flatten each scoop to form fritters.
6. Step 6: Cook the fritters for 4 to 6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
7. Step 7: Remove fritters and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve warm with a squeeze of lemon, yogurt dip, tzatziki, or a simple Greek bean salad.

Tips & Variations

• For a dairy-free version, omit the feta or substitute with nutritional yeast or a plant-based cheese.
• Try adding fresh herbs like parsley or dill for extra brightness.
• If the batter feels too wet, gradually add more flour until it holds shape well.
• To make these vegan, replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water, mixed and rested) and use vegan cheese or omit it.

Storage

Store leftover fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a skillet over medium heat to maintain crispiness or warm briefly in a toaster oven. These fritters are best enjoyed fresh but can also be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen zucchini for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh zucchini because it has better texture and moisture control. If using frozen, thaw completely and squeeze out all excess water thoroughly before mixing.

What can I serve with these fritters?

These fritters pair wonderfully with yogurt-based dips like tzatziki, a squeeze of fresh lemon, or a simple Mediterranean salad. They also work well as a side to grilled meats or as a vegetarian main with a grain like couscous or quinoa.

Chickpea Zucchini Fritters (Easy Mediterranean Recipe) Recipe

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These Chickpea Zucchini Fritters are a delicious and easy Mediterranean-inspired dish that combines grated zucchini, mashed chickpeas, and savory feta cheese into crispy, golden fritters. Perfect as a light meal or appetizer, they are gluten-containing, packed with flavor, and ready in under 40 minutes.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables & Fresh Ingredients

• 1 pound zucchini (grated – about 2 medium)
• 1 small red onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 clove garlic (grated)

Canned Goods

• 1 can chickpeas (15 oz / 400 g can – rinsed and drained well)

Dry Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or dried dill)
• ½ cup all-purpose flour (up to ¾ cup if batter is wet)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Dairy & Eggs

• 1 large egg (or 2 eggs if small)
• ½ cup crumbled feta (or grated parmesan)

Oils & Others

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin)

Instructions

1. Grate and Salt the Zucchini: Grate 1 pound of zucchini using the large side of a grater. Place it in a bowl or colander, sprinkle with two pinches of salt, and let it sit for 10 minutes. This process helps to draw out excess moisture.
2. Squeeze Very Dry: After resting, squeeze the zucchini thoroughly using your hands or a clean kitchen towel to remove as much liquid as possible. Removing moisture ensures the fritters are not soggy and will crisp up well when cooked.
3. Mix the Batter: In a large bowl, mash the rinsed and drained chickpeas with a fork, leaving some chunks for texture. Add 1 large egg, then mix in the well-drained zucchini, thinly sliced red onion, grated garlic, dried oregano, all-purpose flour, crumbled feta cheese, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until you form a thick, cohesive batter.
4. Cook Until Golden: Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Scoop portions of the batter into the pan and gently flatten each into a fritter shape. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
5. Serve Warm: Remove the fritters from the pan and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve warm accompanied by a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a dollop of yogurt or tzatziki, or alongside a simple Greek bean salad for a refreshing contrast.

Notes

• Be sure to squeeze the zucchini dry; moisture could make the fritters soggy.
• Adjust flour quantity if the batter is too wet to help bind the ingredients better.
• Feta can be substituted with parmesan if desired for a different flavor profile.
• These fritters are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in a skillet or oven to maintain crispness.
• Serve with a fresh lemon wedge or yogurt-based dip to enhance the Mediterranean flavors.

Keywords: Chickpea zucchini fritters, Mediterranean fritters, vegetarian fritters, zucchini recipes, chickpea recipes, easy appetizers