These Baked Zucchini Patties contain more vegetables than meat, but you wouldn't even know it. They are that delicious!
Do you still have zucchini in your garden or CSA box?
We got quite a few of them from our farmer this year. And may I just say, I still love the concept of buying direct from farmers using our CSA box. We love supporting this venture, and it aligns with our values.
As for the zucchini, there were these zucchini muffins we made for healthy grab-and-go breakfasts. But we also love zucchini in savory meals. This year's discovery was zucchini patties!
Deceptively Healthy and Fully Delicious!
They aren't vegetarian, but more veggies than meat go into these patties. And you wouldn't even be able to tell. That's how delicious they are.
The grated zucchini together with the breadcrumbs and eggs make for a wonderfully juicy texture that is super tender.
And although these patties might look fried, they are actually BAKED! (I find them just a little too moist and fragile to throw them on the BBQ).
Get Rid of Excess Water For Perfect Patties
In order to make the zucchini work for these patties, you have to get rid of some excess water. I grate it with the shredding attachment of my food processor (so much easier and faster than hand grating) and I let it stand combined with a teaspoon of salt to draw out more water.
Before combining the grated zucchini with all the other ingredients, I am removing as much water as possible. For that, I grab it by the handful and squeeze it out over the sink.
I know it's a little extra work and kind of hands on, but necessary so your patties don't swim away. Plus, hey, it's fun to flex the muscles in the kitchen.
Season Them How You Like And Enjoy!
Aside from salt and pepper, I season these with curry powder and chili powder to make them more interesting. If curry and chili aren't your thing, feel free to omit or substitute these (maybe more salt and pepper).
I don't make these patties too thick, in order to ensure they will bake through properly. If you would like to use them on burgers, you can always double up on the patties.
We usually eat these zucchini patties straight up with noodles or sweet potato fries on the side. Absolutely delicious. Enjoy!!
Recipe
Baked Zucchini Patties
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds zucchini about 2 medium or 1 large, grated
- 2 teaspoons salt divided
- ¾ pound ground beef or other ground meat
- ½ medium onion chopped
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Grate the zucchini (to speed things up I use my food processor with shredding attachment). Combine with 1 teaspoon of salt and let stand for about 10 minutes to draw out excess water.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets.
- Squeeze out as much water from the grated zucchini as possible and place in to a large bowl. Combine with all remaining ingredients and form patties from about ¼ cup of the mixture.
- Place patties on prepared baking sheets and slide onto the lower center rack of your oven.
- Bake for 20 minutes on one side, then flip the patties and bake for about 15 minutes.
- Serve on small buns as sliders or with any sides (we like baked sweet potato fries or pasta with these).
Pin Baked Zucchini Patties recipe for later?
Other Recipes You Might Enjoy
Check out these similar recipes!
- Stuffed Collard Green Roll Ups
- Coconut Flour Zucchini Muffins
- Baked Falafel Appetizer
- Zucchini Oat Cookies
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Healthy Zucchini Muffins with Coconut Flour
Random Questions
Adding egg to ground beef for burgers can help bind the ingredients together, especially if you're looking to achieve a firmer texture. However, it's not always necessary, especially if you handle the meat mixture carefully during shaping and cooking. Using alternative binding agents like breadcrumbs or oats can also help hold the burgers together.
To prevent your burgers from falling apart, ensure that you're using the right ratio of ingredients and that the ground beef is not too lean. You can also consider incorporating binding agents such as eggs, breadcrumbs, or oats, which can help hold the meat together. Proper handling of the meat mixture and not over-mixing the ingredients can also contribute to more structurally sound burgers.
Various vegetables can be incorporated into burgers to add flavor, texture, and nutritional value. Zucchini, onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms are commonly used vegetables in burgers. They can be finely chopped, sautéed, or grated before being mixed into the ground beef. Choose vegetables that complement the flavors of the meat and other seasonings to enhance the overall taste of the burger.
Jan
On low carbs. What can I substitute in place of WW bread crumbs?
Regina
Some almond or coconut flour would work in this case.
Jacquee @ I Sugar Coat It!
Oh YUM! They remind me of a dish my grandma use to make, but they were balls - like meatballs! It was a great way for her to sneak in the veggies. 😉 These are perfect for an on-the-go meal.
Regina
I had thought about a meatball shape but then I was scared the center wouldn't bake through. Do you know of your Grandma baked them?
ami@naivecookcooks
Wow these look so good for a weekend brunch or even quick dinner!
Regina
Exactly Ami! We loved these for dinner.
Melissa Belanger
I did NOT expect these to have meat in them based on the title, but I LOVE IT! What an easy way to 'health' things up a bit, especially since they're baked 🙂
Regina
Haha, since you were the second to say this it prompted me to change at least the post title 🙂 Hopefully less confusing. Yeah, I couldn't believe what I nice, toasty surface even the baked patties got.
Angie@Angie's Recipes
wow these patties look fantastic, Regina. I first thought they were vegetarian, then saw the ground meat...this way might trick my husband to eat more zucchini.
Regina
Angie, my husband absolutely devoured these! And he is not the greatest veggie lover either. Hope the trick works for your hubby too 😉