Mexican Zucchini Fritters

Crispy on the outside and bursting with bold, zesty flavors, these Mexican Zucchini Fritters are the perfect fusion of fresh vegetables and Mexican-inspired spices. Made with grated zucchini, a medley of chili powder, cumin, and jalapeño for a kick, and bound together with shredded Mexican cheese blend, these fritters pack a punch in every bite. The addition of cornmeal adds a delightful crunch, while fresh cilantro brings a vibrant, herbaceous note. Ready in just 35 minutes, these fritters are an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer or a light meal when served with a tangy lime-cilantro crema or your favorite salsa. Perfect for zucchini season or any time you're craving a flavorful twist on a classic fritter!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 medium zucchini
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup cornmeal
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 small jalapeño
• 1 large garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Wash the zucchini and trim the ends. Grate the zucchini using a box grater and place the grated zucchini in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2

Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the grated zucchini and stir to combine. Let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture.

Step 3

After 10 minutes, transfer the zucchini to a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible and place the drained zucchini back into the mixing bowl.

Step 4

Finely chop the fresh cilantro and jalapeño (remove seeds for less heat) and mince the garlic clove. Add these to the zucchini along with the eggs, all-purpose flour, cornmeal, ground cumin, chili powder, black pepper, and shredded Mexican cheese blend. Mix well to combine.

Step 5

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1–2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, scoop approximately 3 tablespoons of the zucchini mixture into the skillet for each fritter. Flatten gently using a spatula to create a pancake-like shape.

Step 6

Cook the fritters for 2–3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Transfer the cooked fritters to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaining zucchini mixture, adding more oil to the skillet as needed.

Step 7

Serve the Mexican zucchini fritters warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as lime-cilantro crema or salsa. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	983.9 grams (983.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1587

Total Fat 92.30g	118%
Saturated Fat 30.90g	155%
Polyunsaturated Fat 25.60g
Cholesterol 500mg	167%
Sodium 8913mg	388%
Total Carbohydrate 139.10g	51%
Dietary Fiber 11.70g	42%
Total Sugars 42.00g
Protein 59.40g	119%

Vitamin D 108IU	538%
Calcium 1054mg	81%
Iron 11mg	63%
Potassium 1783mg	38%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.1%

Protein: 14.6%

Carbs: 34.2%