Zucchini Jalapeno Fritters with Cilantro Lime Sour Cream

4.50 from 2 votes

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Jump to Recipe

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read My Disclosure

Whole Grain Zucchini Jalapeno Fritters are the traditional zucchini fritter reinvented with better-for-you whole-grain flour, some kick with fresh jalapeno and zippy Cilantro – Lime Sour Cream on the side!  Make it a meal with Creamy Taco Soup!

Photo of Whole Grain Zucchini Jalapeno Fritters on cast iron pan garnished with cilantro and lime wedges.

Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, recipes for wow-worthy entertaining and more!

The inspiration behind this recipe:

To me, the summer zucchini glut is fun.  It’s a culinary challenge to come up with a new killer zucchini recipe like these Whole Grain Zucchini Jalapeno Fritters!

Photo of a Whole Grain Zucchini Jalapeno Fritter cut in half on cast iron pan with spoonful of sour cream in the background.

Here is a new spin on the zucchini fritter made with whole-grain flour, kicked up with some fresh jalapeno and served with a zingy cilantro-lime sour cream on the side!

Because I had not used our spiralizer in a while, I thought I’d use it rather than shred the zucchini (which is generally what you would do for zucchini fritters).  Whether you spiralize or shred the zucchini is up to you; the result is going to be pretty much the same.

How to prep zucchini for Whole Grain Zucchini Jalapeno Fritters:

  • Zucchini contains a lot of water.  After spiralizing or shredding it, salt it and let it drain in a colander for at least 30 minutes.
  • Afterward, give it a good squeeze.  You’ll be amazed at how much water is released and how much it shrinks!

Pro frying tips:

  • When frying these zucchini jalapeno fritters (or things such as crab/fish cakes), always flip them AWAY from you to prevent from being splashed with hot oil!
  • Drain on a wire rack–not on paper towels.  Although the paper towels will absorb some of the oil, the fritters will get soggy.
Photo of zucchini fritters on cooling rack after being fried.

This cilantro and lime sour cream pairs perfectly with these fritters and whips up in about a minute with an immersion blender.

Close-up photo of sour cream in bowl with wooden spoon and fritters in the background.

That’s it!  Crispy, golden and…..zippy!  Mmmwaahhh!

Photo of fritters with a fork digging into one.

For more great zucchini recipes, be sure to try my:

4.50 from 2 votes

Zucchini Jalapeno Fritters with Cilantro – Lime Sour Cream

Whole Grain Zucchini Jalapeno Fritters are the traditional zucchini fritter reinvented with better-for-you whole-grain flour, some kick with fresh jalapeno and zippy Cilantro – Lime Sour Cream on the side!flour, some kick with fresh jalapeno and zippy cilantro sour cream on the side!

Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, recipes for wow-worthy entertaining and more!

Ingredients 

Fritters

  • 3 1/2 to 4 pounds zucchini, spiralized or shredded
  • 2 bunches scallions, white and light green part only, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded if desired, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • Canola oil, or vegetable oil, for frying (at least 1/2 cup)

Cilantro Lime Sour Cream

  • 1 cup sour cream, regular or light
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
  • 1 large lime, juiced

Instructions 

Fritters

  • Place spiralized or shredded zucchini and scallion in a colander. Toss with salt and let drain for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Squeeze excess moisture from the zucchini with your hands and transfer to a bowl. Season with black pepper as desired.
  • Add jalapeno, garlic, eggs and flour and mix well.
  • Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, place scant 1/3-cup measures of the zucchini mixture into the hot oil. Press the mixture down to form an even, flat cake.
  • Fry 3-4 minutes on the first side, flip and fry 2-3 minutes on the other side. (Reduce heat to medium if fritters are browning too quickly.) Drain on a wire rack.
  • Repeat until all the zucchini mixture is cooked.

Cilantro Lime Sour Cream

  • Combine all ingredients in a deep bowl or beaker. Using an immersion blender, process until smooth. Serve with fritters.

Notes

TIPS:
  • When frying these zucchini jalapeno fritters (or things such as crab/fish cakes), always flip them AWAY from you to prevent them from being splashed with hot oil!
  • Drain on a wire rack–not on paper towels.  Although the paper towels absorb some of the oil, the fritters will get soggy.
FREEZER-FRIENDLY:
  • Make as directed and freeze on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
  • When frozen, place in a zipper-top freezer bag and remove fritters as needed.
  • No need to thaw. Just place in the oven at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes to heat through.  Can also be reheated in an air fryer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1fritterCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 15gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 169mgSodium: 3625mgPotassium: 1379mgFiber: 8gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 1831IUVitamin C: 89mgCalcium: 183mgIron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

iconLike this? Leave a comment below!

About Carol

Carol is a personal chef with 22 years of experience cooking food people want to eat! Here, you'll find expert techniques, time-saving tips, and flavor-packed dishes you'll be proud to serve family and friends.

you May Also Like

4.50 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




25 Comments

  1. Mary Robbins says:

    Could someone explain how I email this recipe? There was no recipe attached to the email. I really want to do this!

    1. Carol says:

      Hi, Mary, Thanks so much! I really appreciate your wanting to do this. If you look above the photograph, you’ll see a row of rectangles for places to share this post (Pinterest, Facebook, etc.) At the end is an envelope. Click on that and it should take you to your e-mail provider (it may look a little different…mine does). You should get the following in the body of the e-mail: “Whole Grain Zucchini Jalapeno Fritters with Cilantro Lime Sour Cream are the traditional zucchini fritter reinvented! Read Here: http://bit.ly/2lrND1W

      The http://bit.ly/21rND1W is a “short link” which is automatically generated. Not sure why it does that, but internet programs like to do that. I just tested it and sent one to myself and I got that line with the “short link” for your recipient to click on. If you want to include the whole recipe in your e-mail, you’ll have to cut and paste.

      Thanks again and please let me know how it worked out for you.