Baked Zucchini Fritters with Grilled Corn and Hatch Chiles
Got lots of zucchini and corn on the cob around? By all means, make a huge batch of these healthy zucchini fritters and freeze some for a night when you don't feel like cooking!
How do you feel about zucchini? If you’re a gardener, you probably love them because they are so easy to grow, and they make you feel like you really know what you’re doing out there.
If you have a spiralizer, you probably love them too, because they make totally awesome veggie noodles AKA “zoodles”. Other than that though, I always feel like most people throw them in some ratatouille, or grill up a few slices, and decide they really don’t love zucchini.
Unless, of course, it's in the form of zucchini bread, but that's a whole 'nother animal 🙂
Personally, I think zucchini tastes best when it’s eaten raw – kind of like a cucumber with some flavor and texture. I love slicing it thin and using it in fresh spring rolls. I also love it pickled as a substitute for cucumbers, like in my Sweet and Spicy Zucchini Relish.
When I have lots of it though, at the end of the summer, it’s so perfect for zucchini fritter making. Add some oregano and Parmesan cheese for an Italian fritter, keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or add a southwest twist, with some grilled corn, Hatch chiles, cilantro and scallions like I just did here.
Zucchini fritters totally sound like a deep-fried, unhealthy Southern dish (no offense to any of my friends from the South), but they can actually be quite a healthy meal if you use a non-stick pan and just a little bit of olive to sauté them crispy-golden. OR, if you want to make a big batch all at once, pop them in a hot oven and cook them until they're crispy and light-golden.
This recipe is so easy to make ahead, freeze and reheat on a night when you're just not in the mood to cook. Try serving them with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt with a pinch of salt and some fresh lime juice and zest.
Recipe
Baked Zucchini Fritters with Grilled Corn and Hatch Chiles
Ingredients
- 6 small zucchini ends trimmed (about 1 ½ pounds)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 scallions sliced thin
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- 3 Hatch chiles (or other mildly spicy chili pepper)
- 2 ears fresh corn
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- pinch of fresh ground pepper, and additional salt, if necessary
- 1 large egg beaten lightly
- ½ cup brown rice flour (or regular flour)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- optional for serving: sour cream,Greek yogurt, pickled Hatch chiles
Instructions
- Shred zucchini in a food processor fitted with a shredding blade. Toss with salt and place in a colander for about 15 minutes to allow zucchini to release some water. Squeeze dry and place zucchini in a large mixing bowl.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, and line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat
- While the zucchini is draining, grill the corn and Hatch (or other) chiles. When both are charred, remove from the grill and let them cool.
- Cut the corn from the cob, and add it to the mixing bowl with the zucchini. Peel the skin from the chiles, remove the seeds, and chop the chiles. Add them to the bowl.
- Add scallions, cilantro, and cheese and stir to combine. Season with additional salt if necessary, and fresh ground pepper.
- Mix in beaten egg, flour and baking powder and stir well combine.
- Form batter into 3-inch wide by ¼-inch tall patties and lay out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat. Bake for about 10 minutes or until light golden brown on the bottom. Flip zucchini fritters over and bake for another 10-12 minutes on the other side.
- Serve hot or at room temperature, with sour cream, Greek yogurt or pickled Hatch chile peppers if desired.
Notes
If garnishing with sour cream or Greek yogurt, add some lime zest to brighten it up.
Nutrition
What’s your favorite way to eat zucchini?
Eat well!
What is the point of step # 7 - heating a fry pan with olive oil if these are baked in the oven?
So sorry about that Lisa! I originally made this recipe in a frying pan but decided baking was easier. Thanks for pointing out that mistake! I'll edit it 🙂
These sound awesome, Anne! I just tied hatch chiles for the first time two weeks ago. Shame, I know. (I just moved to the US from Canada about three years ago though, and hatch chiles weren't as big of a deal up North!) I threw them into some fajitas, but I want to try slow-roasting them next time—and of course trying THIS. I loved zucchini fritters as a kid. Love this punchy version.
Thanks so much Dana! I never had Hatch chiles until I moved to AZ. I don't think I ever heard of them in Boston, and they're such a big deal here every August. I love to pickle them too so we have them into the fall and winter.
This is a perfect combination of ingredients! I so want to try!!
I hope you like it Kelly!
Anne, these look absolutely delicious! I LOVE zucchini and love adding shredded zukes to various fritters- pinning, winning and grinning.
Thanks Arman! So nice to meet another zuke lover 🙂
Anne, these sound amazing! I definitely have to try this recipe while I can still find zucchini at my farmer's market. Just love zucchini fritters and this southwestern twist makes them sound that much more delicious!
Thanks Kara! I'm going to miss farmers market zucchini too - I think it always tastes best in the summer - not ready for fall!
I have a spiralizer AND hatch chiles!!!!! It's a win win for me! Pinned
Thanks Christie! Sounds like you're gonna be busy today 🙂