Cooking with Toti
cookingwithtoti.com/recipes/high-protein-baked-zucchini-patties
High-Protein Baked Zucchini Patties
Crispy outside, soft inside, and baked instead of fried — my favorite way to use summer zucchini.
Serves
10–12 patties
Time
50 min
These healthy zucchini patties are one of my favorite ways to use fresh summer zucchini. They're packed with protein, incredibly easy to make, and baked instead of fried. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Instructions
Prepare the Zucchini
- 1
Grate the zucchini and place it in a large bowl.
- 2
Sprinkle with salt and let it sit for 15–20 minutes.
- 3
Squeeze out as much liquid as possible. The drier the zucchini, the better the patties hold together.
Make the Mixture
- 1
Add the egg and the cottage cheese (or Greek yogurt).
- 2
Season with sweet paprika, oregano, turmeric, saffron, and black pepper.
- 3
Add the baking powder and mix everything together until well combined.
Bake
- 1
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2
Scoop the mixture into evenly sized patties.
- 3
Lightly spray or drizzle with olive oil.
- 4
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 30–35 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
Toti’s Tips
- ✓Salt the grated zucchini and let it sit before squeezing it dry, since zucchini is mostly water and that water is exactly what makes patties fall apart if it stays in.
- ✓Squeeze out as much liquid as you possibly can, because even a little extra moisture keeps the mixture too loose to hold a patty shape.
- ✓Don't add too much cottage cheese or yogurt, since it's meant to bind and add protein, not turn the mixture back into a wet batter.
- ✓Cottage cheese adds curds of protein without much added liquid, which is why it holds together better here than a runnier dairy would.
- ✓Baking instead of frying means you need real heat, so don't skip preheating the oven fully or the patties will steam instead of crisping on the outside.
- ✓Bake until golden brown, since a pale patty likely still has too much moisture inside and will be soft rather than firm.
- ✓Reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer rather than the microwave, because dry heat brings back the crisp edges that a microwave will turn soggy.
Storage
- •Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- •Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back the crisp edges.
More photos
Get my free e-book — 7 quick & easy dinners + 3 sweet bonus desserts
The weeknight dinners my kids actually ask for seconds of, plus the sweet treats — with photos from my own kitchen.
Free PDF · Unsubscribe anytime
