Vegan Zucchini and Carrot Fritters Recipe
These Vegan Zucchini and Carrot Fritters are a perfect crispy snack or side dish, packed with vibrant flavors and a deliciously crunchy texture. They’re gluten-free, dairy-free, and perfect for a healthy, plant-based meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium zucchini, grated
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 1/2 cup chickpea flour (or all-purpose flour for non-gluten-free version)
- 1/4 cup water (or plant-based milk)
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional, for a cheesy flavor)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil for frying (or more, as needed)
Instructions:
- Prepare the vegetables: Grate the zucchini and carrot, then squeeze out excess water using a kitchen towel or cheesecloth. This step is crucial to ensure crispy fritters.
- Mix the batter: In a large bowl, combine chickpea flour, water (or plant-based milk), nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth. The batter should have a thick pancake-batter-like consistency. Adjust with more water if too thick.
- Add vegetables: Fold the grated zucchini and carrot into the batter until fully coated.
- Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, scoop a small portion of the fritter mixture and flatten it slightly in the pan to form a patty.
- Cook the fritters: Fry the fritters for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan; fry in batches if necessary.
- Drain and serve: Place cooked fritters on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside a salad.
Tips:
- Make them gluten-free: For a gluten-free option, ensure to use chickpea or rice flour instead of wheat-based flours.
- Air-frying option: For a healthier alternative, air-fry the fritters at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Freezing instructions: These fritters freeze well! Allow them to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the freezer. Reheat in an oven or air fryer for a quick snack.
These fritters are versatile and perfect for any meal of the day. Whether as a snack, lunch, or a side dish, they’re easy to whip up and guaranteed to impress even the pickiest eaters!
Here’s a basic nutritional breakdown for one serving of these Vegan Zucchini and Carrot Fritters, based on a recipe yielding about 8 fritters:
Nutritional Information (Per Fritter):
- Calories: ~80 kcal
- Protein: ~2.5g
- Carbohydrates: ~8g
- Fiber: ~1.5g
- Sugar: ~2g (natural from vegetables)
- Fat: ~4g
- Saturated Fat: ~0.5g
- Sodium: ~150mg (adjust based on added salt)
- Vitamin A: ~120% DV (from carrots)
- Vitamin C: ~15% DV (from zucchini)
- Calcium: ~3% DV
- Iron: ~5% DV
Note: Nutritional values may vary depending on the exact brands and quantities used. This estimate assumes frying with olive oil.
