Okay, so let me tell you about the first time I made these Ham and Zucchini Fritters. It was one of those nights where dinner needed to happen, like, five minutes ago, and I had this mountain of zucchini from the garden and some leftover ham. Panic mode? Almost! But then I remembered seeing a simple fritter idea somewhere, and I thought, “Why not?” I threw some stuff together, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting much. Wow, was I wrong! These little golden discs of deliciousness were a total revelation. They’re so ridiculously quick and easy, it almost feels like cheating. Now, making Ham and Zucchini Fritters is my go-to when I need something fast, tasty, and that uses up those extra veggies. They’re perfect as a snack, a light lunch, or even a fun side dish. Trust me, you’re going to love how simple yet satisfying these are!

Why You’ll Love These Ham and Zucchini Fritters

Okay, seriously, these Ham and Zucchini Fritters are going to become your new favorite thing, I just know it! Why? Because they check all the boxes:

They’re FAST. Like, from pantry to plate in under 30 minutes fast. Perfect for those “what’s for dinner?” emergencies.
They’re ridiculously EASY. You basically just mix stuff in a bowl and fry ’em up. No fussy techniques here!
So VERSATILE! Have extra corn? Bell peppers? Throw ’em in! You can really play around with these.
And the FLAVOR! The savory ham, the fresh zucchini, a little cheesy goodness… it’s just a winning combo.

Honestly, once you try making these Ham and Zucchini Fritters, you’ll see why I’m so obsessed. They’re a total crowd-pleaser and couldn’t be simpler.

Ingredients for Delicious Ham and Zucchini Fritters

Alright, let’s get down to what you actually *need* to make these little beauties. The great thing about these Ham and Zucchini Fritters is that the ingredient list is pretty straightforward. You probably have most of this stuff hanging out in your kitchen already!

2 cups grated zucchini (we’ll talk about prepping this in a sec!)
1/2 pound diced ham (any kind you like, just make sure it’s diced nice and small)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is always best if you can!)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (gives it a lovely little pop of green and freshness)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon baking powder (this helps them get nice and light!)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (don’t be shy!)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for frying (enough to get a nice sizzle)

See? Nothing too crazy! Just simple, good stuff coming together for something amazing.

Getting the Right Zucchini for Your Ham and Zucchini Fritters

Okay, this part is crucial for perfect Ham and Zucchini Fritters! You want fresh, firm zucchini, not those giant, watery ones. Once you’ve grated it, the ABSOLUTE most important step is squeezing out as much water as possible. Seriously, squeeze like your life depends on it! This is what keeps your fritters from being soggy blobs.

Essential Pantry Staples for Ham and Zucchini Fritters

Beyond the stars of the show (the ham and zucchini!), you’ll need some basic pantry heroes. Things like flour, eggs, and milk are the glue that holds these fritters together. The flour gives them structure, the eggs bind everything, and the milk helps create the right batter consistency. Baking powder adds a little lift, so they’re not too dense. Simple stuff, but totally essential for these Ham and Zucchini Fritters!

Equipment Needed to Make Ham and Zucchini Fritters

You don’t need a whole lot of fancy gadgets to whip up these Ham and Zucchini Fritters, which is another reason I love them! Just grab a good-sized bowl for mixing, a sturdy box grater for your zucchini (or a food processor with a grating attachment if you’re feeling fancy!), and a large skillet for frying. Oh, and some paper towels for draining the excess oil. That’s pretty much it!

How to Prepare Your Ham and Zucchini Fritters

Okay, let’s get to the fun part – actually making these incredible Ham and Zucchini Fritters! It’s super simple, I promise. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have golden perfection in no time. Remember, the key here is easy, so don’t overthink it!

First things first, you gotta deal with that zucchini. Grate it up, and then you need to get rid of the extra water. This is non-negotiable for fritter success!
Once your zucchini is prepped, grab a big bowl. Toss in the squeezed zucchini, the diced ham, flour, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, eggs, milk, baking powder, and a good pinch of salt and pepper.
Now, gently mix everything together. You don’t want to overmix here, just stir until everything is *just* combined. A few streaks of flour are totally fine!
Heat up your vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. You want it hot enough that a little drop of batter sizzles nicely, but not so hot it smokes.
Scoop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if you need to. Use the back of your spoon to flatten them out a little so they cook evenly.
Let them cook for about 3-4 minutes on the first side until they’re golden brown and crispy.
Carefully flip them over and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side until they’re golden all around and cooked through in the middle.
Lift them out of the skillet and pop them onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain off any excess oil.
Serve ’em up hot and enjoy your amazing Ham and Zucchini Fritters!

See? Told you it was easy! Now let’s break down a couple of those steps just a tiny bit more because they’re pretty important.

Preparing the Zucchini for Ham and Zucchini Fritters

Seriously, don’t skip this! After you grate your zucchini, gather it up in your hands or wrap it in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Now, squeeze! Squeeze out as much liquid as you possibly can. This one step makes a HUGE difference in the texture of your Ham and Zucchini Fritters. Wet zucchini means soggy fritters, and nobody wants that!

Mixing the Batter for Ham and Zucchini Fritters

Okay, this is where everything comes together. You’ve got your squeezed zucchini, your tasty ham, and all your dry and wet ingredients in one bowl. Grab a spoon and just gently fold it all together. Mix until it’s *just* combined. Overmixing can make the fritters tough, and we want them lovely and tender. Easy does it!

Frying Your Ham and Zucchini Fritters to Perfection

Getting the oil temperature right is key here. Medium heat is usually perfect. You want that oil hot enough to sizzle immediately when you drop a little batter in, but not so hot it burns the outside before the inside cooks. Drop your spoonfuls in, leaving a little space between them. Let them get that gorgeous golden-brown color on the first side – that’s your cue to flip! Cook the second side until it matches, and they feel firm but not hard. They should be cooked through and delicious!

Tips for Making the Best Ham and Zucchini Fritters

Want your Ham and Zucchini Fritters to be absolutely perfect every single time? Here are a couple of my go-to tips that make a big difference:

Squeeze that zucchini! I know I keep saying it, but seriously, get as much water out as humanly possible. It’s the number one trick for crispy, not soggy, fritters.
Don’t overcrowd the pan. Give those fritters some breathing room when they’re frying. If you cram too many in, the oil temperature drops, and they’ll steam instead of fry. Cook them in batches, it’s worth the extra minute!
Get the oil temp right. Medium heat is usually spot on. If it’s too low, they’ll soak up too much oil and be greasy. Too high, and the outside will burn before the inside cooks. Test with a tiny bit of batter first!
Drain ’em well. Always pop them on paper towels right after frying to catch any extra oil.

Follow these simple things, and your Ham and Zucchini Fritters will be golden, crispy, and delicious!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Ham and Zucchini Fritters

Okay, so the basic recipe for these Ham and Zucchini Fritters is fantastic as is, but you know me, I love playing around! The beauty of these is how forgiving they are. Don’t have ham? Cooked bacon or even crumbled sausage works beautifully. Vegetarian? Skip the meat and maybe add some sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers instead! You can swap the Parmesan for cheddar or even a little feta for a different twist. Got other veggies you need to use up? Shredded carrots, corn kernels, or finely chopped bell peppers can all be added in alongside (or instead of some of) the zucchini. Just remember to keep the total volume of “add-ins” roughly the same so your batter stays the right consistency. Have fun with it!

Frequently Asked Questions About Ham and Zucchini Fritters

Got questions about making these Ham and Zucchini Fritters? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Here are a few things people often ask:

Q: Can I make the batter ahead of time?
A: You *can*, but I honestly think they’re best when the batter is made and fried right away. The zucchini can release more water as it sits, even after squeezing. If you absolutely have to, keep it covered in the fridge for maybe an hour or two, but be prepared to give it a little stir and potentially squeeze out a tiny bit more liquid if it looks watery.

Q: How do I reheat leftover Ham and Zucchini Fritters?
A: The best way to get that crispiness back is in a dry skillet over medium heat or in a toaster oven/air fryer. The microwave will work, but they’ll be softer, not crispy.

Q: Can I bake these instead of frying?
A: You can try! They won’t be quite the same as fried, they’ll be more like little patties. Place them on a greased baking sheet and bake at around 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through. They just won’t have that same crispy edge.

Q: What kind of ham works best?
A: Any cooked, diced ham works great! Leftover holiday ham is perfect, or you can buy pre-diced ham or even thick-cut deli ham and dice it up yourself.

Serving Suggestions for Ham and Zucchini Fritters

Okay, you’ve got your glorious pile of golden Ham and Zucchini Fritters, now what? They’re fantastic all on their own, truly! But if you want to take them up a notch, they’re amazing with a little dollop of sour cream or a side of ranch dressing for dipping. A simple green salad makes a nice light pairing, or serve them alongside some scrambled eggs for a fun brunch! Honestly, they go with just about anything.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a quick note on the nutrition side of things for these Ham and Zucchini Fritters! Now, I’m not a nutritionist, and this is just an estimate, but based on the ingredients, you can expect each serving (which is usually about 2 fritters) to have around 150 calories, with about 8g of fat, 8g of protein, and 12g of carbohydrates. Remember, this can vary depending on your exact ingredients and how much oil they soak up, but it gives you a general idea!

Share Your Experience

Alright, you’ve made them! Your kitchen smells amazing, and you’ve got a plate full of delicious Ham and Zucchini Fritters. I would absolutely LOVE to hear how they turned out for you! Did you add anything fun? What did you serve them with? Leave a comment below and let me know your experience! Don’t forget to rate the recipe too, and snap a pic to share on social media – tag me so I can see your creations!

Shockingly Delicious Ham and Zucchini Fritters

Author: goforecipes.com
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 12 fritters 1x
Diet: Halal

Print Recipe

Description

Quick and easy fritters with ham and zucchini.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups grated zucchini
1/2 pound diced ham
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

Squeeze excess water from grated zucchini.
In a large bowl, combine zucchini, ham, flour, Parmesan cheese, parsley, eggs, milk, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the hot oil, flattening slightly.
Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels.
Serve hot.

Notes

You can substitute other vegetables like corn or bell peppers.
Serve with a dipping sauce like sour cream or ranch dressing.
Fritters can be made ahead and reheated.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 fritters
Calories: 150
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: Ham, Zucchini, Fritters, Easy, Quick