Description
These crispy garlic zucchini balls are a quick, crowd-pleasing vegetarian snack with a golden crunchy crust and savory garlic flavor. Perfect for parties, game nights, or healthy snacking, they come together in under 30 minutes and are easily customizable.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium zucchini (about 14 oz / 400g), grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (or Grana Padano)
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour for gluten-free)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or dill (optional)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup neutral oil for frying (canola, sunflower, avocado, or olive oil)
- Optional Dipping Sauce:
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream (or dairy-free)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (dill, parsley, or chives)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Grate zucchini using a box grater or food processor. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible using a clean kitchen towel.
- In a large bowl, combine squeezed zucchini, eggs, parmesan, garlic, flour, black pepper, and parsley or dill (if using). Stir until just combined. If mixture is too wet, add more flour.
- Place panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture and roll into balls (about 1.25 inches diameter). Roll each ball in panko, pressing gently so crumbs stick.
- Heat oil in a nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add balls in batches, frying for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a cooling rack or paper towels to drain.
- Mix Greek yogurt or sour cream, lemon juice, and chopped herbs in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Serve zucchini balls warm with dipping sauce.
Notes
Squeeze zucchini thoroughly to avoid soggy balls. For gluten-free, use chickpea flour and gluten-free panko. Double-coat in panko for extra crunch. Test one ball first to check texture. Balls can be baked or air-fried for a lighter version. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 balls per serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: zucchini balls, party snack, vegetarian appetizer, crispy, garlic, finger food, easy recipe, healthy snack, gluten-free option, kid-friendly