Courgette Fritters in the Air Fryer
Courgette fritters are a good way to use a glut, but in a frying pan they can go greasy, soggy or fall apart. Courgette fritters air fryer style are firmer and lighter, and brown evenly in about 12 minutes with only a little oil. The secret is squeezing the courgette really dry, which this page shows step by step.
- Temperature
- 190°C
- Total time
- 32min
- Prep
- 20min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 175kcal
Why the air fryer works for courgette fritters
Courgette is about 95% water, which is why fritters made in a frying pan often steam rather than fry. The air fryer helps because the hot air dries the surface quickly, so the outside sets and browns while the inside stays soft. You also use much less oil: a brush on the tops is enough, rather than a pool in the pan.
This recipe is for fritters, not plain roasted courgette, which is covered in courgette in the air fryer. Courgette fritters in air fryer baskets are a good lunch with a salad or a vegetarian starter. They need a mixture that holds together, so the courgette must be salted and squeezed very dry. Perforated baking paper stops the soft mixture falling through the holes.
How to make courgette fritters in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Grate and salt Coarsely grate the courgettes into a colander, toss with the salt and leave for . The salt draws out the water.
- Squeeze dry Wrap the courgette in a clean tea towel and twist hard over the sink until almost no liquid comes out. You should end up with about 300 g of dry, fluffy courgette.
- Make the mixture In a bowl, whisk the eggs, then stir in the flour, baking powder, feta, spring onions, mint, pepper, lemon zest and olive oil. Fold in the courgette. The mixture should hold together on a spoon.
- Shape Scoop 12 heaped tablespoons of mixture onto a sheet of perforated baking paper and flatten each to about 1.5 cm thick, leaving gaps. Preheat the air fryer to 190 °C for with the basket empty, then lower in the paper with the fritters (or, without paper, brush the hot basket well with oil and add the fritters).
- Cook Brush the tops lightly with oil. Cook for , turning once after , until golden and firm. Cook in two batches if the basket is crowded.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Courgette Fritters | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Courgette and feta frittersTurn halfway | 190 °C | 10–12 min |
| Small fritters, 1 cm thick | 190 °C | 8–10 min |
| Courgette and sweetcorn fritters | 190 °C | 10–12 min |
| Gluten-free frittersUse gram flour | 190 °C | 10–12 min |
| Reheating cooked fritters | 170 °C | 4–5 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Squeeze twice. After the first squeeze, wait a minute and squeeze again. The second round often removes another spoonful of liquid.
- Do not overmix. Stir just until combined; a heavy hand makes the fritters tough.
- Keep them flat. Fritters about 1.5 cm thick cook through before the outside burns. Thick balls stay raw in the middle.
Serving
Serve the fritters warm with a mint and garlic yoghurt dip, a poached egg and rocket for brunch, or with smoked salmon and lemon. They go well with a plate of roasted tomatoes and green beans for a summer lunch. Courgette fritters air fryer batches are also good for a packed lunch, since they are fine cold. For more timings see the air fryer cooking times chart, and the guide to baking paper in the air fryer.
Storing and reheating
Cooked fritters keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat them in the air fryer at 170 °C for 4–5 minutes, until crisp and steaming hot (75 °C). You can also freeze them on a tray, then bag them up for up to 2 months and reheat from frozen at 170 °C for 8–10 minutes.
Variations
- Sweetcorn and cheddar: Replace the feta with 80 g grated mature cheddar and add 100 g sweetcorn.
- Gluten-free: Swap the plain flour for gram flour or a gluten-free flour mix.
- Herb and lemon: Use plenty of dill and parsley with extra lemon zest for a fresh flavour.
Troubleshooting
- The fritters are soggy or fall apart
- There is too much water in the courgette. Salt it, leave it for 10 minutes and squeeze it hard in a tea towel. If the mixture is still loose, add a tablespoon of flour.
- The fritters stick to the basket
- Courgette mixture is delicate. Use perforated baking paper or oil the basket well, and do not turn the fritters until they have set for about 6 minutes.
- The fritters are too salty
- Salting the courgette and adding feta both add salt. Rinse the courgette briefly after salting if you are cautious, and skip extra salt in the mixture.
Frequently asked questions
How long do courgette fritters take in an air fryer?
Fritters 1.5 cm thick take 10–12 minutes at 190 °C, turned halfway. Thicker ones may need up to 14 minutes.
Can you make courgette fritters without flour?
Yes. Replace the flour with ground almonds or gram flour. Gram flour also makes them gluten-free, but add a little more egg if the mixture seems loose.
Do I need to salt courgettes for fritters?
Yes, salting and squeezing removes enough water for the fritters to crisp. Skipping this step gives wet fritters that fall apart.
Can you reheat courgette fritters in the air fryer?
Yes, at 170 °C for 4–5 minutes, until crisp and steaming hot (75 °C). They are also good cold in a lunchbox.
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