Baked Zucchini Fritters with Creamy Dipping Sauce Recipe
Crispy and flavorful zucchini fritters baked to golden perfection, served with a tangy and creamy dipping sauce made from sour cream, salsa, and ranch dressing. A healthy and delicious appetizer or snack that combines tender zucchini with a crunchy seasoned breadcrumb coating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Zucchini Fritters
- 2 small zucchini, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 whole egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
Dipping Sauce
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and spray it with non-stick spray to prepare for baking the fritters.
- Prepare the zucchini: Slice the zucchinis into approximately 1/4 inch thick slices to ensure even cooking and crispness.
- Make egg mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and beaten egg until well combined to create a flavorful soak for the zucchini slices.
- Prepare breadcrumb coating: In a separate bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, plain breadcrumbs, and taco seasoning, mixing thoroughly to evenly distribute the seasoning.
- Coat zucchini slices: Dip each zucchini slice first into the buttermilk and egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge it in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
- Arrange and bake: Place the coated zucchini slices on the prepared wire rack over the baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the fritters turn golden brown and crisp.
- Prepare dipping sauce: While the fritters bake, combine sour cream, salsa, and ranch dressing in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve for a creamy and zesty dip.
- Serve: Once the zucchini fritters are done baking, remove them from the oven and serve immediately alongside the chilled dipping sauce for a perfect contrast of temperatures and flavors.
Notes
- Using a wire rack allows air circulation which helps the fritters become crispier during baking.
- You can substitute taco seasoning with other spice blends like Cajun or Italian seasoning to vary the flavor profile.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Make sure to pat the zucchini slices dry with a paper towel before dipping for better crispiness.
- The dipping sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 2 days.
Keywords: Zucchini fritters, baked zucchini, healthy appetizer, veggie fritters, crispy zucchini, dipping sauce
