Mediterranean Zucchini and Chickpea Fritters
These golden fritters combine shredded zucchini, mashed chickpeas, fresh herbs, and Mediterranean spices. Pan-fried until crisp, they make a delicious vegetarian main, appetizer, or snack served with yogurt sauce or tahini dip.
Time
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
2 medium zucchinis, grated
1 can (400 g) chickpeas, drained & rinsed
2 eggs (or flax eggs for vegan)
½ cup breadcrumbs (or oats, ground)
½ small onion, finely grated
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt & black pepper, to taste
2–3 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
Optional topping/dip:
Greek yogurt with lemon & dill OR tahini sauce
Instructions
1. Prepare zucchini: Grate zucchini, place in a clean kitchen towel, and squeeze out as much water as possible. This prevents soggy fritters.
2. Mash chickpeas: In a bowl, mash chickpeas with a fork or potato masher (leave some chunks for texture).
3. Mix batter: Add zucchini, onion, garlic, herbs, cumin, paprika, eggs, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Mix well until it holds together. If too wet, add more breadcrumbs.
4. Shape fritters: Form small patties (about 2 tbsp mixture each).
5. Cook: Heat olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Fry fritters 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
6. Serve: Place on paper towels to remove extra oil. Serve warm with yogurt or tahini sauce.
Notes & Tips
If baking instead of frying: Place fritters on a lined tray, brush with olive oil, and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Add crumbled feta cheese for extra flavor.
These keep well in the fridge for 3 days or can be frozen for up to 1 month.
❓ Frequently asked questions FAQs
Q: Can I make them vegan?
A: Yes — replace eggs with “flax eggs” (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg).
Q: What’s the best dip?
A: Classic Mediterranean options are tzatziki (yogurt + cucumber + dill) or tahini lemon sauce.
Q: Can I air-fry them?
A: Yes, brush with oil and air-fry at 190°C (375°F) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Nutrition information
Calories: ~160 kcal
Protein: 6 g
Fat: 6 g
Carbs: 20 g
Fiber: 5 g