Courgette fritters represent a versatile and tasty dish, perfect for enriching meals at any time of the day. However, the traditional version often requires immersing the zucchini in boiling oil, making it a less healthy option.
Luckily, there is a way to enjoy these delights in a light and equally tasty version: baking them . With this recipe, you will learn how to prepare crispy and light zucchini pancakes without using oil .
Ingredients:
- 2 medium courgettes
- 1 medium onion
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup buckwheat flour (or other flour of your choice)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan (or cheese of your choice)
- Salt and Pepper To Taste
- Chopped fresh herbs (parsley, basil, thyme) or spices to taste
Instructions:
- Pre-heat the oven: Turn the oven on to 200°C and heat while you prepare the ingredients.
- Prepare the courgettes: Wash the courgettes and grate them finely. Once grated, place them in a colander and sprinkle a little salt on top. Let them drain for about 10-15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Prepare the onion: Finely chop the onion and set aside.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and add the flour, grated cheese, chopped fresh herbs, onion and chili powder if desired. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
- Add the zucchini: Once the zucchini have released their water, use a clean kitchen towel or your hands to squeeze them and remove excess liquid. Add them to the mixture and mix gently until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Form the pancakes: Prepare a baking tray lined with lightly oiled baking paper. With a spoon, take portions of the dough and place them on the baking tray, flattening them slightly to form pancakes.
- Bake the pancakes: Bake the pancakes in the pre-heated oven and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Be sure to turn them halfway through cooking for even browning.
- Serve hot: Once ready, take the courgette fritters out of the oven and serve them hot.
Tips and variations:
- For an even lighter version, you can use just egg whites instead of whole eggs.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of grated lemon zest for a touch of freshness.
- Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor of your pancakes.
- To make the pancakes even crispier, you can sprinkle them with a little breadcrumbs before baking them.
With this recipe, you can enjoy the delicious taste of zucchini fritters without guilt, thanks to their light and crunchy baking.