Rating: 3.54
(71)

Zucchini and Anchovy Fritters

May 14, 2024

Zucchini and anchovy fritters are the kind of appetizer or side dish that surprises you in the best way. They’re golden and crispy on the outside, tender in the center, and packed with savory flavor thanks to the bold addition of anchovies. While zucchini fritters on their own are light and mild, anchovies take them to another level with a salty punch that balances the subtle sweetness of the zucchini perfectly.

This dish is a great example of how simple ingredients can create something far more interesting than expected. Grated zucchini forms the base, bringing moisture and a delicate texture. Anchovies, when finely chopped and mixed in, melt into the batter and season the entire fritter. You won’t get a fishy flavor, instead, you’ll taste a rich umami depth that gives the fritters a distinctive character. Add in a bit of garlic, herbs like parsley or chives, and a spoonful of flour or breadcrumbs to bind everything together, and you’re ready to fry.

These fritters are quick to cook and incredibly satisfying. They develop a golden crust in the pan, while staying moist and flavorful inside. Served warm, they’re perfect on their own or with a cool dipping sauce like yogurt with lemon and herbs. You can also serve them alongside a simple salad, or as a side to grilled meat or fish.

Zucchini and anchovy fritters are perfect for summer when zucchini is everywhere and you’re looking for new ways to use it. They’re budget-friendly, easy to prepare, and just unique enough to catch attention at a potluck or dinner party.

If you’ve never cooked with anchovies before, this is a great introduction. They melt into the mix, enhance the flavor, and prove how powerful a small ingredient can be. These fritters are crisp, flavorful, and far more than the sum of their parts, a dish that’s both comforting and just a little bold.

Zucchini and Anchovy Fritters
Zucchini and Anchovy Fritters
3.54 from 71 votes
Delicious and crispy fritters made with zucchini and anchovies.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 zucchini large, grated
  • onion small, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 anchovy fillets chopped
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • vegetable oil for frying

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine the grated zucchini, chopped onion, flour, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped anchovy fillets, beaten eggs, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
  • Drop spoonfuls of the zucchini mixture into the hot oil and flatten with the back of the spoon. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
  • Remove the fritters from the pan and drain on paper towels to remove any excess oil.
  • Serve the fritters hot with a side of marinara sauce or aioli for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 9gFat: 14gFiber: 2g
Calories: 240kcal
Meal Type: Breakfast
Cuisine: Greek
Keyword: appetizer, breakfast, brunch, Fritters, Zucchini
Cooking Method: Fried
Time: <30 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
Join the Conversation
  1. 4 stars
    I was skeptical about the anchovies, but they added a nice flavor! Surprised in a good way

    1. User avatar lane.heller2000 says:

      4 stars
      Anchovies?! No way! But I guess you gotta try new things. Glad it worked for you!

    2. User avatar veda.brakus says:

      2 stars
      I don’t like anchovies! This recipe must be gross. I will stick to pizza without them.

  2. User avatar jacqui.von says:

    5 stars
    I made these for dinner and they were gone in minutes! My kids loved them too!

  3. 2 stars
    Idk why u would put fish in fritters. Sounds gross. Stick to regular fritters.

    1. User avatar dong.wilderman says:

      4 stars
      I think fish in fritters can actually add a nice umami flavor! Give it a try before judging.

  4. User avatar Dr. Obdulia Fritsch says:

    5 stars
    These fritters are AMAZING! I added some chili flakes for a kick and they turned out delicious! 5 stars!

  5. User avatar Tom Bombadil says:

    5 stars
    GREAT!

  6. User avatar albert.walter64 says:

    1 star
    Zucchini fritters? Why would you mix fish in there? So weird.

    1. 4 stars
      I thought it was weird too at first, but anchovies actually add a nice flavor! Give it a try.

    2. 2 stars
      Fish in fritters? That’s gross. Zucchini should stay veggie!

  7. User avatar gale.rowe says:

    5 stars
    This is just like my grandma used to make! Brings back memories.

  8. 1 star
    Y’all, these aren’t as good as I thought. I don’t like zucchini much, but I tried it anyway. Not gonna make it again.

  9. User avatar raymonde.turcotte50 says:

    4 stars
    Such a great way to use up my garden zucchini! Simple and yum!

    1. User avatar Lunkwill and Fook says:

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe and it turned out amazing! My kids even loved them. Thanks for sharing!

  10. 4 stars
    I was skeptical about the anchovies at first, but they actually blended nicely. Didn’t taste fishy at all. Will make again!

    1. User avatar danae.keeling14 says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad you enjoyed them! I was also surprised by how well the anchovies worked. They add a nice umami flavor without being too fishy.

    2. User avatar Ryuu Shenlong says:

      2 stars
      Anchovies? Eew! I don’t think I could ever bring myself to try that. No thanks!

  11. User avatar joe_banana says:

    5 stars
    Super easy and a hit with the kids! Even though they don’t like veggies!

  12. User avatar winford.schuster says:

    3 stars
    Not sure about the anchovies, they kinda freak me out. Can I replace them with something else?

  13. User avatar charlie.bahringer says:

    5 stars
    These are delicious! I wasn’t sure about the anchovies, but they add a great flavor. Will make again!

  14. User avatar eloy.waters15 says:

    3 stars
    I don’t like anchovies, but tried these anyway. They weren’t bad, but I wouldn’t make them again. 3 stars.

  15. User avatar gilberto.kling32 says:

    5 stars
    These fritters are absolutely delicious! I can’t believe how easy they were to make. I will definitely be making them again! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  16. User avatar beverlee.boyer93 says:

    1 star
    Ugh, this was a disaster. The mixture was too watery and they just fell apart in the pan. Not trying again.

  17. User avatar lavette.ullrich26 says:

    3 stars
    Super simple recipe, but I’m not convinced anchovies are a good fit with zucchini. Just tastes weird to me. 3 stars.

  18. 3 stars
    Not sure if I like this. The anchovies were way too strong for me. I might try it without them next time. ⭐⭐⭐

  19. 4 stars
    So crispy and tasty! Perfect as a snack! Yummy 😋

    1. User avatar katharyn.bruen says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! These fritters are like little bites of heaven! 😍

    2. User avatar elmo.nader33 says:

      3 stars
      Crispy is good, but is anchovy taste too strong? I ain’t a fan of fishy stuff. 🤔

  20. User avatar brain.barrows1964 says:

    2 stars
    These were hard to cook properly. Had to throw away a batch that burned. Frustrating! 2 stars.

  21. 5 stars
    Yum! I doubled the recipe and it was gone in minutes. Totally recommend! 5 stars!!!

  22. 5 stars
    Zucchini fritters are yumm!! I added some chili flakes for heat. They were so crispy, loved it.

  23. User avatar Draugr Thrall says:

    3 stars
    Made it for dinner! Tasted ok but not totally my style. Could use more spice!!!

  24. User avatar thora.mosciski43 says:

    5 stars
    Wasn’t expecting much, but wow! Perfect starter dish for my dinner party. Everyone loved them! 10/10 would recommend!!

  25. User avatar carmina.koss1958 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is a 10/10 but I only give it 5 stars because the anchovies are weird to me. Can I use something else?

  26. User avatar russ.weissnat42 says:

    5 stars
    Yum! 😍 Best fritters ever! 10/10 would recommend.

  27. User avatar wes.jacobs54 says:

    2 stars
    Not really a fan of anchovies, but the fritters were decent. Might try without them next time.

  28. User avatar ShanksOnePiece says:

    2 stars
    idk, my fritters fell apart! Maybe needed more flour? I followed the recipe tho. Still kinda tasty, but a mess. ⭐⭐

  29. User avatar del.lynch2002 says:

    2 stars
    Just tasted like fried zucchini. Where’s the flavor? 2 stars.

  30. User avatar dorathy.swaniawski2003 says:

    5 stars
    These fritters are AMAZING! I can’t believe how good zucchini can taste with anchovies! Definitely making again.

  31. User avatar mathWizard says:

    3 stars
    Fried them for too long. They burnt on one side 😒 Recommend keeping an eye on them!

  32. User avatar hiram.beatty34 says:

    1 star
    Zucchini + fish = YUCK. Who even thought this was a good idea??

    1. 3 stars
      I totally get what you mean! Zucchini and fish doesn’t sound appetizing at all. But hey, to each their own. Some people love it!

  33. User avatar len.welch25 says:

    3 stars
    Good but too salty for my taste. Maybe less anchovies next time? 🤔

  34. User avatar elenora.lemke5 says:

    3 stars
    I tried this recipe but ended up using too much salt. Make sure to taste first, folks!

  35. User avatar zackary.orn39 says:

    1 star
    Eh, tastes fine but why put anchovies in there? Just ruin it if ya ask me. Next time, no fish! ⭐

    1. User avatar rosette.beahan says:

      3 stars
      I totally get you! Anchovies can be a bit much for some. But they do add a nice umami flavor if you can handle it. ⭐⭐⭐

  36. User avatar jorge.kshlerin1 says:

    4 stars
    Super easy to make! My kids loved them, even though they said they could taste the anchovies. Will add more cheese next time.

    1. 5 stars
      I’m glad your kids liked them! More cheese sounds like a great idea, especially if it helps mask the anchovy taste! What kind of cheese do you think you’ll use?

  37. User avatar roseann.jacobs44 says:

    4 stars
    I forgot the onion and they still came out great! Gonna try with some spices next time.

    1. User avatar lavern.smitham44 says:

      5 stars
      That’s awesome! I’ve done that too and it’s surprising how well they turn out without some ingredients. Spices are a great idea!

    2. User avatar troy.jaskolski9 says:

      3 stars
      No onion? Really? I think it would taste way better with it! But hey, if you liked it, who am I to judge?

  38. User avatar yesenia.braun52 says:

    5 stars
    These fritters turned out amazing! My family loved them. The anchovies give a nice twist. Definitely a keeper!

    1. User avatar kandra.lubowitz77 says:

      3 stars
      Anchovies? Really? That sounds kinda weird. I don’t know if I’d like that. But glad your family liked it!

    2. User avatar Dan Deline says:

      5 stars
      I’m so glad to hear that! Anchovies really do add a unique flavor. What dipping sauce did you use with them?

  39. 3 stars
    What are anchovies even?? I can’t imagine putting fish in my food. But my friend said these are bomb.

    1. User avatar wendell.mccullough1979 says:

      5 stars
      Anchovies are actually pretty tasty! They add a savory kick, trust me!

  40. User avatar Genghis Khan says:

    4 stars
    Perfect for using up all the zucchini from my garden. Watch out though, they can be a bit oily. More like fritters, less like health food!

  41. User avatar The Allitnils says:

    5 stars
    These fritters are amazing! I love the combination of zucchini and anchovy. Will definitely make again!

    1. User avatar darci.rolfson says:

      2 stars
      Really? Anchovies? I had these once and they were sooo salty. Not sure I’ll try making them again.

    2. User avatar jimmy.smith1986 says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! The zucchini and anchovy combo is unexpected but delicious. I can’t wait to whip these up again too!

  42. User avatar tyler.hyatt says:

    2 stars
    Meh, too mushy for my taste. I don’t really get why people rave about these. They taste like fishy pancakes.

  43. 3 stars
    What if I dont like anchovy? Can I substitute with something else? Help!

  44. User avatar georgie.metz87 says:

    4 stars
    So easy to make! My kids loved them. I served it with marinara and they gobbled it up. 4 stars!

  45. 2 stars
    Is it really marinara sauce or aioli? Like, is that really Italian? Not sure if I trust this recipe

    1. User avatar tamekia.howe1981 says:

      5 stars
      It’s definitely more Italian than you think! The marinara and aioli are just for dipping. The main dish is still classic fritters! Don’t be skeptical, give it a try!

  46. User avatar christian.gutmann says:

    5 stars
    Really like them! Zucchini is my fav and these were easy to make!

  47. User avatar shaniqua.fritsch says:

    2 stars
    Too salty for my taste. I think the anchovies are overpowering. Won’t make again.

  48. User avatar Trin Tragula says:

    1 star
    They went all mushy and gross. I don’t think I cooked them right… disappointed.

    1. User avatar shaun.dibbert83 says:

      4 stars
      Don’t be too hard on yourself! Zucchini can be tricky. Maybe try squeezing out some moisture next time? That might help!

    2. User avatar Catrice Aufderhar says:

      3 stars
      Mushy? Sounds not right, I make these all the time and they come out crispy! Maybe less zucchini next time? Just my opinion.

3.54 from 71 votes
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