How To Make Fried Squash Patties

Fried squash patties are a simple, delicious way to turn fresh summer squash into a crispy, golden treat.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to make fried squash patties, the answer is easier than you think.
 
With just a few basic ingredients and a hot skillet, you can make fried squash patties that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
 
The best part is that making fried squash patties doesn’t require any fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make fried squash patties step by step, plus a few tips to get them perfectly crisp every time.
 
Let’s get cooking.
 

How to Make Fried Squash Patties

Learning how to make fried squash patties comes down to a few key steps, and once you’ve got them down, you can make fried squash patties any time you like.
 
Here’s how to make fried squash patties that turn out golden and delicious:
 

1. Gather Your Ingredients

To make fried squash patties, you’ll need about two cups of grated squash, which is roughly two medium yellow squash or zucchini.
 
You’ll also need one egg, half a cup of all-purpose flour, a quarter cup of cornmeal, a quarter cup of grated onion, and a teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
 
A little baking powder helps the fried squash patties puff up nicely, and oil for frying ties it all together.
 
Feel free to add a pinch of garlic powder or paprika if you like a bit of extra flavor in your fried squash patties.
 

2. Grate and Drain the Squash

The most important step when you make fried squash patties is removing excess water from the squash.
 
Grate the squash using the large holes of a box grater, then sprinkle it with salt and let it sit for about ten minutes.
 
After that, squeeze the grated squash in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth until it’s as dry as you can get it.
 
If you skip this step, your fried squash patties will turn out soggy instead of crispy.
 
This one trick is what separates great fried squash patties from mediocre ones.
 

3. Mix the Batter

In a large bowl, beat the egg, then stir in the drained squash and grated onion.
 
Add the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and pepper, and mix everything until it forms a thick batter.
 
The mixture for fried squash patties should hold together when you press it into a patty.
 
If it feels too wet, add a tablespoon or two more flour until it firms up.
 
If it’s too dry, a splash of milk will loosen it right up.
 

4. Fry Until Golden

Heat about a quarter inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
 
Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil and flatten them slightly with the back of your spoon.
 
Fry each batch of fried squash patties for about three to four minutes per side, until they’re deep golden brown.
 
Don’t crowd the pan, because the fried squash patties need room to crisp up properly.
 
Drain them on paper towels and sprinkle with a little extra salt while they’re still hot.
 

Tips for Crispy Fried Squash Patties

If you want your fried squash patties to come out perfectly crisp, these tips will help.
 

1. Keep the Oil at the Right Temperature

Oil that’s too cool makes greasy fried squash patties, while oil that’s too hot burns the outside before the inside cooks.
 
Aim for around 350°F, and test it by dropping in a tiny bit of batter to see if it sizzles.
 

2. Don’t Skip the Cornmeal

Cornmeal gives fried squash patties their signature crunchy texture.
 
You can use all flour if you must, but the fried squash patties just won’t have the same satisfying crunch.
 

3. Serve Them Right Away

Fried squash patties are at their best fresh out of the skillet.
 
If you need to hold them, keep them warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack so they stay crispy.
 

4. Get Creative with Dipping Sauces

A dollop of sour cream, a drizzle of ranch, or a spoonful of marinara all pair beautifully with fried squash patties.
 
A little hot sauce mixed into mayo is another favorite way to enjoy fried squash patties.
 

So, How Do You Make Fried Squash Patties?

You make fried squash patties by grating and draining fresh squash, mixing it with egg, flour, cornmeal, and seasonings, then frying spoonfuls in hot oil until golden brown.
 
The key to great fried squash patties is removing as much water as possible from the squash before mixing.
 
Once you know how to make fried squash patties, they become a go-to side dish for summer meals.
 
So grab some squash and give this recipe a try, because now you know exactly how to make fried squash patties that everyone will love.