Zucchini Paneer Fritters (Air-Fryer)

These Air-Fried Zucchini Paneer Fritters are healthy, crispy outside, and soft inside. They are made with shredded zucchini and paneer and flavored with spices and herbs!

Zucchini Paneer Fritters are beyond easy to make and perfect for appetizers and snacks. They can also be added to salads or served as a side dish with lunch or dinner.

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• Healthy Zucchini Paneer Fritters
• Why You Will Love Zucchini Paneer Fritters
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• How To Make Zucchini Paneer Fritters
• Serving Suggestions
• Helpful Tips
• More Appetizers
• Recipe Card

Healthy Zucchini Paneer Fritters

Making these fritters is amazingly easy and straightforward. If you already have homemade chhena or paneer, the recipe comes together within 30 minutes.

I have blended Indian and international flavors for these paneer fritters. The combination of zucchini and paneer makes the fritters’ interiors super soft. And the spices and herbs make them ultra-flavorful.

I have added chopped mint leaves, which provide a refreshing note to the zucchini paneer fritters. To provide tanginess, I have used my favorite sumac.

However, you can substitute some ingredients with your choice of elements. Please refer to the section on ingredients and substitutions.

The recipe suggests using an air fryer, but if you don’t have one, you can also pan-fry these fritters with some oil.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Zucchini: Zucchini is full of water, so squeezing out as much water as possible is essential. Also, use the smaller size of the grater to grate the zucchini. Finely shredded zucchini will be evenly distributed to the fritters.
• Chhena or Paneer: I used homemade chhena while making the recipe for this post. But I also make it with grated paneer if I already have leftover paneer. So, depending on your preference, use either chhena or grated paneer to make these air-fried zucchini paneer fritters.
• Breadcrumbs: I like to use breadcrumbs for these fritters as they make them crispy and soak up the extra moisture. Soft or dry breadcrumbs—any will work for this recipe. Instead of breadcrumbs, you can use cornstarch or roasted chickpea flour.
• Mint Leaves: Fresh mint leaves add a fresh flavor to the fritters. You can add more or less as you prefer. If you want to serve these zucchini paneer fritters with Cilantro Mint Chutney, skip adding the mint leaves. However, you can add dried mint powder if you do not have mint leaves.
• Green Chilis and Red Pepper Flakes: You can make these fritters as spicy as you would prefer. I have added one finely chopped green chili and a teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Instead of green chili, you can also add jalapeno pepper. Or, skip adding green chilis and add more red pepper flakes to get the desired spiciness.
• Dried Oregano: I like adding dried oregano for the flavor, but you can also add other dried herbs of your choice.
• Salt and Pepper: Add these seasonings to taste.
• Sumac Or Lemon Juice: I like adding sumac to make the zucchini paneer fritters slightly tangy. But if you do not have sumac, you can add lemon juice to taste. You can also add amchur powder for the tanginess.

How To Make Zucchini Paneer Fritters

• Grate the zucchini using a grater box with fine holes.
• Place the grated zucchini on the muslin cloth lined over the colander.
• Sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt over the zucchini, mix, and let it stand for five minutes.

• Then, gather all the ends of the muslin cloth like you would tie it, and squeeze as much water as you can from the grated zucchini.

• Add zucchini, crumbled chhena (or grated paneer), and breadcrumbs in a large mixing bowl.
• Mix well.

• Now, add the rest of the ingredients and mix to combine everything well.
• The mixture should be soft but not too sticky or wet.
• If your mixture is wet, add more breadcrumbs.
• Taste the mixture and adjust the seasonings if necessary.

• Take a spoonful of the mixture and shape it like a tikki.
• Continue with the rest of the mixture and make tikkis.

• Preheat the air fryer to 370°F for 5 minutes.
• Place the patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Lightly spray or brush the oil on the patties.

• Air fry the zucchini paneer fritters at 370°F for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown on both sides.
• Check the fritters halfway through the air-frying.

• Remove the fritters from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving plate.
• Serve the Air Fryer Zucchini Paneer Fritters immediately with your choice of accompaniments.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve the Air Fryer Zucchini Paneer Fritters hot or warm with ketchup or your choice of chutney.
• You can serve them with Tomato Chutney, Coriander Chutney, or Cilantro Mint Chutney.
• Serve the fritters for breakfast, afternoon, and after-school snacks or as an appetizer for a party or get-together.
• The fritters taste well with plain or seasoned yogurt.
• You can also serve them with sour cream or your choice of dipping sauce.

More Appetizers

Recipe Card