Get ready . . . these Gluten-FREE, healthy green fritters will blow your mind. The recipe yields 7 medium-sized fritters, and . . . well . . . we polished them off in one day! I was hoping to pack one or two for my lunch the next day, but they went way too quickly! Needless to say, Zucchini Quinoa Fritters will definitely be a new staple in our house! They’re crunchy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and packed with tons of nutritious and hearty ingredients. Each fritter is loaded with shredded zucchini which is about as low-cal as it gets, plus it’s a Vitamin C and nutrient powerhouse! The added quinoa is amazing because it provides protein and fiber, and it’s gluten-free! I figured I may as well sneak in some ground flaxseeds too for a boost of healthy fats. Once we have those fab, healthy ingredients, we just need to add in the lemon, thyme, and Parmesan for some extra deliciousness and garnish with my Honey Lemon Yogurt Sauce! Whip up these fritters and you’re all set for a perfect brunch side-dish or a snack! I can’t wait to make these for my next Sunday brunch with the ladies. I know they’ll be a huge hit!
There is one MAJOR key to success with these Zucchini Quinoa Fritters: Make sure your zucchini is completely DRY before you mix it with your other ingredients and make your patties. Otherwise you will end up with soggy fritters, and no one wants that! Zucchini is 95% water, so it will take a bit of effort to get the shredded zukes totally dry. After you shred the zucchini, just put it in a mesh strainer and allow the water to empty into a bowl below. You’ll be amazed how much strains without you even pushing it (and how bright green it is!)! Then pat it down with paper towels, or roll the zucchini up into a paper towel and wring it out. When most of the moisture is out, move forward with the rest of the ingredients!
Ingredients
4 medium zucchinis – shredded (with a box grater or food processor)
1 cup cooked quinoa
1/2 cup freshly shaved parmesan cheese
1 tbsp ground flaxseeds
1 egg
1/2 tsp thyme
Zest of 1/2 lemon
Salt & pepper to taste
1 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
Honey-Lemon Yogurt Sauce
1/2 cup plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt
1/2 tbsp raw honey
Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tbsp chopped chives
Makes 7 medium fritters.
- Mix together (DRY) shredded zucchini, cooked quinoa, parmesan, egg, thyme, lemon zest, and salt and pepper.
- Head over to the stove and heat up coconut oil. Take the zucchini/quinoa mixture and form it into round patties.
- Carefully place patties onto skillet (medium heat) and allow to brown on each side. It should be about 2-3 minutes per side, but keep an eye on them, and once they’re brown and crispy on one side, flip em over!
- Use your spatula to press down on the fritter to thin them out a bit, if you’d like.
- Serve warm with a dollop of the Honey Lemon Yogurt Sauce!
Who’s ready to make this fresh, light, super healthy recipe!? Try it now, and then make them again for St. Patty’s Day!! Can’t wait to hear what you think!
