Let’s be real. It’s hard to get excited about a bowl of steamed vegetables. They are good for you, sure, but they can be a little… boring. You want a side dish that’s not only healthy but also delicious, easy to make, and has a little bit of a crunch. You want something that’s savory, satisfying, and a total crowd-pleaser. That’s where these incredible Crispy Parmesan Yellow Squash Fritters come in. It’s the kind of dish that makes a vegetable taste like a treat, which, IMO, is the only way to eat vegetables, and trust me, they are going to become a staple in your home.
My love for this recipe started at my friend’s house. She had a huge garden, and she was always looking for new ways to use up her bounty of yellow squash. She made a batch of these for a barbecue, and I was immediately hooked. The fritters were so crispy on the outside, but tender and flavorful on the inside. They were a perfect mix of savory and salty, and they disappeared as fast as she could make them. Since then, it’s become my go-to recipe for using up all the yellow squash that I get from the farmer’s market. It looks incredibly impressive, but it’s so much easier to make than you might think.
Why These Fritters Are a Total Game-Changer
You might think a fritter is just a fritter, but this recipe is truly something special. It takes a simple vegetable and elevates it in a few very important ways.
First, there’s the incredible texture. The key to a good fritter is a crispy exterior and a soft interior, and these have it in spades. The fritters are golden-brown and crispy, and the inside is tender and full of flavor. Second, there’s the unique flavor profile. The natural sweetness of the yellow squash is a perfect match for the salty, nutty flavor of the Parmesan cheese. The little bit of onion and garlic adds a beautiful savory depth that makes them irresistible.
Finally, they are incredibly forgiving. This yellow squash fritters recipe is a fantastic recipe for a beginner cook. It doesn’t require any fancy techniques or special equipment. You can literally just mix, scoop, and fry. It’s so easy, you’ll feel like you’re cheating. This crispy vegetable fritters recipe is perfect for anyone who wants to make a delicious side dish without a lot of fuss.
Your Simple Ingredient Lineup
The best part about this recipe is that it uses a handful of ingredients you can find at any grocery store. You don’t need a trip to a specialty store or a long shopping list. Just a few key players to create a legendary snack.
- Yellow Squash: This is the most important ingredient. You’ll need to grate it and get all the water out of it before you use it. This is a crucial step! It’s the secret to a crispy fritter.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is the base for our fritters. It helps to bind everything together and gives the fritters a beautiful, crispy exterior.
- Egg: The egg acts as a binder, holding all the ingredients together.1
- Parmesan Cheese: This adds a salty, nutty flavor that complements the squash beautifully. You can use any hard cheese you have on hand, like Pecorino Romano or even a little bit of aged cheddar.
- Other Pantry Staples: You’ll also need a little bit of onion, garlic, a pinch of salt, and a little bit of black pepper.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Fritter Perfection
This recipe is so straightforward, you’ll be making it with your eyes closed after the first time. The key is to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start assembling.
Step 1: Prep Your Squash
Grate the yellow squash using the large holes of a box grater. Place the grated squash in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much water as you can. This is the most important step! Don’t skip it! Squeeze and squeeze again until you can’t get any more water out.
Step 2: Make the Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the grated squash, egg, flour, Parmesan cheese, onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix until all the ingredients are well-combined. The batter should be thick and hold its shape.
Step 3: Pan-Fry to Perfection
Heat a little bit of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, drop the batter by rounded tablespoons into the skillet. Use the back of a spatula to flatten them slightly. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Transfer the fritters to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Serve them immediately with a dollop of sour cream, a little bit of Greek yogurt, or a fresh herb dip.
Beyond the Basics: My Favorite Remixes
The classic yellow squash fritters recipe is pure perfection, but you can also use it as a base for endless flavor combinations.
- The Zucchini Swap: If you don’t have yellow squash, you can easily use zucchini instead.2 The recipe will work exactly the same! This is a great zucchini fritters recipe as well.
- The Spicy Fritter: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a little bit of cayenne pepper to the batter for a spicy kick.
- The Different Cheese: You can use any cheese you have on hand. Feta cheese, cheddar cheese, or even a little bit of goat cheese would be delicious.
- The Herbaceous Fritter: Add a handful of fresh herbs, like parsley, dill, or chives, to the batter for a fresh, herbaceous flavor.
FAQs: Your Fritter Questions Answered!
Why are my fritters soggy?
This is a common issue, and it’s almost always because you didn’t get all the water out of the squash. The key here is to squeeze and squeeze again until you can’t get any more water out. Don’t skip this step!
Can I bake them instead of frying?
Yes, you can! You’ll just need to adjust the cooking time. Arrange the fritters on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Flip them halfway through the cooking time.
How do I store them?
You can store these fritters in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.3 To reheat them, just pop them in the oven or in a skillet for a few minutes until they are crispy again.
Can I use a different vegetable?
Yes, you can! You can use any vegetable you have on hand. Grated carrots, corn, or even a little bit of grated potato would be delicious. Just make sure to get all the water out of them before you use them.
What should I serve with these fritters?
These fritters are so versatile! They would be delicious with a side of sour cream, a little bit of Greek yogurt, a fresh herb dip, or a little bit of hot sauce. They also make a great side dish for a piece of grilled chicken or a burger.
So there you have it. A guide to making the most delicious, tender, and beautiful Crispy Parmesan Yellow Squash Fritters you’ll ever have. It’s a simple, brilliant idea that solves all your side dish dilemmas. The next time you’re craving something savory, you’ll know exactly what to make. Go forth and cook! You’ve got this.
Crispy Parmesan Yellow Squash Fritters
Equipment
- Box grater for grating squash
- Mixing bowl for combining batter
- Skillet for frying fritters
- Spatula for flipping fritters
- Paper towels to drain excess oil
Ingredients
- 2 cups yellow squash, grated and squeezed dry
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil or neutral oil, for frying
Instructions
- Grate yellow squash with a box grater. Place in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much water as possible. This is the key to crispy fritters!
- In a large bowl, mix grated squash, egg, flour, Parmesan, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined. Batter should be thick and hold together.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Drop batter by tablespoons, flatten slightly, and cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Transfer cooked fritters to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve hot with sour cream, yogurt, or herb dip.
