Are you desperately looking for some healthier Mexican zucchini corn fritters? These fully plant-based, oven-baked corn fritters are the answer to all your cravings!
Inspired by the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine, these corn fritters perfectly encapsulate my cooking philosophy. Healthy, yet no less indulgent and satisfying meals, suitable for all the family and dietary needs! Are you ready to discover your new favorite appetizer recipe? 🌽
Mexican Zucchini Corn Fritters: vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for all the family! 🌱
Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these baked zucchini fritters are vegan and gluten-free, therefore suitable for every dietary need. Plus, their preparation only requires 5 basic ingredients (plus some herbs and spices), all of which are easily available and quite affordable as well!
And if this is not enough, my zucchini corn fritters are also an easy way into tricking your kids to eat some veggies! I don’t know about you, but my kids aren’t huge fans of zucchini. This is why I always try to come up with new ways to cover their flavor. What I can safely say is that with this zucchini corn fritters recipe I accomplished the mission to happily feed my kids zucchini – and my family can testify to this!
Another thing I love about these baked zucchini fritters is their versatility! Bring them with you for a tasty snack at work, or offer them to your guests as a fancy but simple appetizer or side. Everybody will love them!
Moreover, they can also easily become a well-balanced and complete meal. All you have to do is pair them with a small source of fat (such as avocado), and some proteins (here are some great sources of plant-based protein).
Finally, don’t forget the toppings. Some ideas are Guacamole, chunky salsa, vegan Greek yogurt, or even my Easy Tofu Chorizo for a little extra Mexican flair!
How to Create the Perfect Baked Fritters: some easy tips 💯
Sick of frying all your foods, or willing to try a healthier alternative to the original corn fritters? Here are some tips on how to have some perfectly crispy zucchini and corn patties, with just your oven!
- Press out excess liquid from your grated zucchini
This trick is a true lifesaver: indeed, zucchini contains a lot of water, which is released during cooking if the veggies have not been properly squeezed. This water can, in turn, make your fritters too soft and undercooked – the opposite of what you want! I salt my zucchini and let it sit for a bit to draw out the water, then squeeze it out! - Use aquafaba to bind everything together
Did you know that aquafaba -i.e. the liquid of canned chickpeas – is a great egg replacer? Indeed, one of its main functions is to act as a glue and help bind all your ingredients together. This way, your vegan fritters will not crumble once you take them off the oven! - There is nothing some cornmeal cannot solve!
If you feel like your mixture is too soft or runny, cornmeal (or cornstarch) is the answer for you! Indeed, cornmeal is a great thickening agent. Its molecules swell while absorbing any moisture, causing gelatinization (or thickening) of your fritters’ mixture. The only thing you have to be mindful of is not to use too much of it. Otherwise, you will most likely encounter the opposite problem! - Use the air-fryer for a crispier result – or finish the cooking on a pan
Cooking the zucchini fritters in an air-fryer is certainly an easy and healthy way to obtain some perfectly crispy and golden zucchini corn fritters. However, if you don’t have one, you can just cook your fritters in the oven. Once they are ready, finish their cooking on a preheated pan on low-medium heat for a couple of minutes. This way, your fritters will be always warm and have our desired texture. - Don’t let your corn fritters completely defrost before cooking
In case you have made too many zucchini fritters and decide to freeze them, make sure to not completely defrost them before cooking. Otherwise, they might release all of their water, making them soggy and unappetizing before even heating them.
Another great tip would be to freeze them only after they have been precooked, and then reheat them on a pan. In this way, you will have perfectly crunchy and golden fritters whenever you fancy them!
If you liked this recipe, here are other recipes you might like.
- Four Bean Salad with Homemade Zesty Italian Dressing.
- Creamy Lemon Zucchini Pasta (plant-based recipe).
- Vegetarian Mexican Fajita Cornbread Casserole.
- Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes – Healthy Appetizer 🍅.
Before you go…
I hope you will love these recipes as much as I do! If you have tried it, please let me know how you liked it in the comments. And don’t forget to tag my socials (all the links are below). 💗
Mexican Zucchini Corn Fritters
Ingredients
- 4 cups Zucchini grated (about 2-3 medium)
- 1½ cup Corn Kernels defrosted if frozen
- ⅓ cup Chives chopped (or 1 1/2 tbsp if dried)
- ¼ cup Cornmeal whole grain
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Cayenne
- 1 handful Cilantro fresh with stems removed and chopped finely
- ½ cup Aquafaba (juice from a can of beans)
- 1 Jalapeno diced finely (optional)
- 1 tsp Avocado Oil Spray (or extra-virgin olive oil for the pan)
Pair them with (optional):
- Avocado mash mashed with a fork with some lemon juice, salt and pepper
- Tofu Chorizo recipe here
- Plant-Based Greek Yogurt mixed with finely chopped chives, salt, and extra-virgin olive oil. You can make the vegan Greek yogurt at home following this recipe
- Vegan cheese sauce recipe here
- Salsa I love this organic thick and chunky one from Whole Foods Market
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (or 200°C).
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- Spray a baking sheet with avocado oil (or extra-virgin olive oil).
- Scoop the mixture using a quarter measuring cup or ice cream scoop and form small patties. Place the patties on the baking sheet.
- Cook for around 25 minutes (or until the patties are golden on the edges but not dry).
- Cool on the pan for a few minutes to make them crispier.
- Optional: Top with your favorite Mexican toppings from the list above, and enjoy!
Nutrition
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