Introduction

Oh, the summer garden bounty! There’s nothing quite like fresh zucchini straight from the vine, is there? It always feels like such a gift. And when you have a little too much on hand, or you’re just craving a savory, satisfying bite that feels a little bit fancy but is ridiculously easy to make, these Waffled Zucchini Fritters are your answer. Seriously, they’re so quick and bring such a fun twist to a humble vegetable. Get ready to impress yourself (and anyone lucky enough to be around when you make these!).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Speedy: From start to finish, you’re looking at a recipe that comes together in minutes. Perfect for those busy weeknights!
Effortlessly Easy: No fancy techniques here. Just mix and waffle!
Giftable Goodness: Okay, maybe not giftable in a jar, but they’re so good you’ll want to share them! And they make a fantastic appetizer or side dish for gatherings.
Crowd-Pleasing Perfection: Even picky eaters tend to go crazy for these. The crispy exterior and tender, cheesy interior are a winning combo.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these delightful fritters. It’s a pretty simple list, which is part of the magic!

1 packed cup grated zucchini: Make sure to get this from about 1 medium zucchini. The key here is to squeeze out as much excess liquid as you can! I like to use a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth for this – it really makes a difference in getting them crispy.
1 large egg: This is our binder, keeping everything together beautifully.
1/4 cup minced onion: A little bit of onion adds a lovely depth of flavor. You can mince it super fine so it blends right in.
1/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese: Oh, the cheese! It gets all melty and delicious. If you’re going dairy-free, a good quality dairy-free cheddar works wonderfully here too.
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs: Panko gives us that extra crispy texture we all love. If you need gluten-free, just grab some gluten-free panko.
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt: To bring out all the wonderful flavors.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get this party started! Grab your waffle maker, and let’s make some magic.

Mix it all up: In a medium-sized bowl, toss in your grated, squeezed zucchini. Add the egg, minced onion, shredded cheddar cheese, panko bread crumbs, and kosher salt. Grab a spoon or your hands (my favorite way!) and mix everything until it’s well combined. You want it all to be nicely incorporated.
Heat things up: Get your waffle maker preheated according to the instructions that came with it. You want it nice and hot, ready to work its charm.
Scoop and waffle: Once your waffle maker is ready, it’s time to add the batter. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the zucchini mixture onto the hot waffle maker. Don’t overcrowd it; you want them to cook evenly.
Cook to golden perfection: Close the lid gently. Let those fritters cook until they’re beautifully golden brown and you can tell they’re cooked through. This usually takes about 4-6 minutes, but keep an eye on them as waffle makers can vary.
Repeat and enjoy: Carefully remove your gorgeous, golden fritter from the waffle maker. Be gentle, they might be a little delicate! Then, repeat the process with the rest of the zucchini mixture. You’ll be rewarded with a whole batch of these delicious bites.

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling creative? I always am! Here are some ideas to jazz up your waffled zucchini fritters:

Cheese Please: Don’t have cheddar? Try Monterey Jack, Gruyere, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan for a different flavor profile.
Herb Garden Magic: Add a tablespoon or two of fresh chopped herbs like chives, parsley, or dill to the mixture. It adds such a lovely freshness!
Spicy Kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce can add a nice little zing.
Gluten-Free Love: As mentioned, gluten-free panko works perfectly!
Vegan Vibes: Try a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water, let sit for 5 minutes) and a good quality vegan cheddar.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks can make these even more amazing:

Squeeze, Squeeze, Squeeze! I can’t stress this enough. Removing that excess moisture from the zucchini is the absolute key to crispy fritters. If they’re too wet, they’ll steam rather than crisp up.
Don’t Overfill: Giving the batter a little room to spread in the waffle maker helps them cook evenly and prevents overflow.
Grease Lightly: A quick spray of cooking oil on your waffle iron before you start can help prevent sticking, though many non-stick waffle makers don’t need it.
Prep Ahead: You can grate and squeeze your zucchini a few hours in advance and store it in the fridge. Just give it a quick re-squeeze if any extra liquid has accumulated before mixing.

How to Store It

These are best enjoyed fresh and warm, straight off the waffle maker. However, if you happen to have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, I recommend popping them in a toaster oven or a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes to regain some crispiness. Microwaving them tends to make them a bit soft.

FAQs

Can I make these without a waffle maker?

Absolutely! You can pan-fry them like traditional fritters. Heat some oil in a skillet over medium heat and drop spoonfuls of the mixture. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.

What can I serve these with?

They’re delicious on their own, but you can serve them with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, or even a side of your favorite dipping sauce like ranch or a sriracha mayo.

Why are my fritters soggy?

The most common reason for soggy fritters is not squeezing out enough liquid from the zucchini. Make sure you really press out that moisture!

Waffled Zucchini Fritters

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, these waffled zucchini fritters are a quick and easy way to enjoy fresh zucchini as a savory snack or appetizer.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6

Servings 6 servings

Equipment

Waffle maker Preheated according to manufacturer instructions.
Medium-sized bowl
Clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth For squeezing excess liquid from zucchini.
Spoon
Toaster oven or dry skillet For reheating leftovers.

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 packed cup grated zucchini Squeezed to remove excess liquid.
1 large egg
0.25 cup minced onion Minced very fine.
0.33 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
0.33 cup panko bread crumbs
0.5 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the grated, squeezed zucchini, egg, minced onion, shredded cheddar cheese, panko bread crumbs, and kosher salt. Mix until well combined.
Preheat your waffle maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Spoon about 1/4 cup of the zucchini mixture onto the hot waffle maker, being careful not to overcrowd.
Close the lid and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Carefully remove the fritter from the waffle maker and repeat with the remaining mixture.

Notes

For best results, squeeze as much liquid as possible from the grated zucchini. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and reheated in a toaster oven or dry skillet for crispiness.