Freezing Courgette Fritters | Ask Nigella.com (2024)

Full question

I would like to serve the Courgette Fritters warm as part of a buffet which includes vegetarians. I should like to get ahead with these and an thinking of cooking and freezing them in. Will these freeze well? Would I be able to bake them to serve warm and if so is it best to do this from frozen or defrost them fully first? Many thanks - these have had good reviews and is a slightly less stodge option as part of the buffet table for vegetarians.

Our answer

Unfortunately most fritters, including Nigella's Courgette Fritters (from Forever Summer and on the Nigella website), are never as good reheated as it is difficult to get the same crisp crust and they can be a little soft. Consequently we have not tried freezing or reheating the fritters so cannot guarantee that they will reheat well. However if you did want to try freezing them then we would suggest that you cool the cooked fritters as quickly as possible and then (within 2 hours) freeze them on baking sheets lined with baking parchment (parchment paper). Once the fritters are solid stack them in airtight containers, with baking parchment between the layers of fritters, and freeze for up to 1 month. We would suggest thawing the fritters overnight in the fridge then spreading them on baking sheets and reheating them in an oven preheated to 200c (400F) for 8 - 10 minutes, or until piping hot all the way through.

Reheated foods should be treated with extra care. It is important that you reheat the fritters until piping hot in the centre and not until just warm. Let the fritters cool slightly and then serve straightaway. We would also suggest that you do not let the fritters stand on the buffet table for too long. If you can cook the fritters close to the time of the buffet then they should keep hot in an oven preheated to 100c (200F) for around 1 hour. If possible sit the fritters on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet while keeping them warm, as they tend to stay crisper.

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Freezing Courgette Fritters | Ask Nigella.com (2024)

FAQs

Freezing Courgette Fritters | Ask Nigella.com? ›

However if you did want to try freezing them then we would suggest that you cool the cooked fritters as quickly as possible and then (within 2 hours) freeze them on baking sheets lined with baking parchment (parchment paper).

Can I freeze courgette fritters? ›

In the freezer These are great for batch cooking and freezing. Make sure you freeze them once cooked and cooled, one at a time, or separated on a baking tray before storing them together. This will stop them sticking together. Defrost thoroughly before eating and you can then either reheat well or eat them cold.

Can you freeze and reheat fritters? ›

You can freeze any fritters you don't need. Lay them on a baking sheet, then once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat the frozen fritters in the oven (180C/160fan/gas 4) for around 10 mins until piping hot. Allow to cool to lukewarm before serving.

Why are my courgette fritters soggy? ›

WHY DO I HAVE TO DRAIN THE ZUCCHINI? Zucchini is very high in water! So to avoid soggy fritters, we want to squeeze out as much water as possible. That way, we can get those crisp, golden brown edges.

Can you reheat zucchini fritters? ›

4. Reheating - fritters are best served fresh. But to reheat leftovers, pop them on a rack in a stinking hot oven (250C/480F) or as high as your oven will go for 5 minutes. OR pan fry lightly in a little oil to re-crisp and rewarm!

Do courgettes freeze well? ›

If you want to keep a stash of courgettes for later in the year, you can freeze them. Cut the courgettes to your desired size, blanch them and then freeze free-flow on a tray until they are frozen. Once frozen, portion into ziplock bags. Alternatively, grate the zucchini and freeze it in ziplock bags.

How do you freeze zucchini without it getting soggy? ›

Blanch Before Freezing

Blanching — giving the zucchini a quick dunk in boiling water — deactivates the enzymes that would otherwise cause the zucchini to become mushy and discolored.

Why are my fritters not crispy? ›

The most common causes for soggy fritters are too much batter (basic flour and egg batter like used in pancakes will never cook up crispy), and whatever you're frittering leeches too much water when cooking.

How do you preserve fritters? ›

Storage: Fritters will last in the fridge for about 1 week. They also freeze well. To reheat frozen fritters, place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and heat in a 400°F oven until warmed through and crisp again, 10 to 15 minutes.

Does baking soda make fritters crispy? ›

Is baking soda or powder best for frying? A pinch of baking soda can help produce crispy fried foods. It reacts with the acid in the batter to create carbon dioxide bubbles. These lead to an airy batter and a crisper, fluffier result.

Why add baking powder to fritters? ›

They just need a simple, light batter of flour, cornstarch, and baking powder mixed with seltzer to tie them together. The seltzer and baking powder ensure that the fritters are shatteringly crisp–even slightly tired vegetables emerge from the oil crunchy, fresh, and sweet.

Why does my courgette taste bad? ›

Occasionally a courgette plant will produce extremely bitter, inedible fruit with high levels of cucurbitacin, which if they were to be eaten could make a person unwell.

Can you fry zucchini and then freeze it? ›

I don't recommend freezing already cooked fried zucchini. However, you can freeze before frying. Blanche sliced zucchini in boiling, salted water for 2-3 minutes. Let dry completely, then coat the zucchini in the flour/egg/breadcrumbs and arrange on a baking sheet.

How to defrost fritters? ›

Allow fritters to defrost on the counter, then pop into the toaster to reheat. The toaster method ensures you won't lose that signature crispy texture fritters are famous for. You can also reheat fritters in the oven (190 C) on an oven tray lined with baking paper for 12 minutes or until hot and crispy.

How to fix soggy fritters? ›

Larger eggs have more water from the egg white, resulting in wetter batter and soggy fritters. Add flour to your wet batter! Most veggies have a high water content (which we know equals soggy fritters). Adding flour to a wetter batter will give you the thick consistency need to make the perfect batter.

Is it better to freeze zucchini, cooked or raw? ›

While freezing zucchini is a great way to extend its life, it's not as simple as just popping a few squash into your freezer. Raw zucchini gets weepy and watery after thawing. To effectively save it, you should chop and blanch it first. This helps set the texture and color and makes it last longer.

Is courgette the same as zucchini? ›

They are basically the same plant, same fruit, by different names, at different stages of growth. They are both an immature summer squash. Overall, courgettes are smaller and younger whereas zucchinis are older and bigger in size.

Can you freeze shredded courgette? ›

If you're more likely to use grated courgettes in a recipe, place fresh coarsely grated courgette in a bowl lined with kitchen paper, wrap the kitchen paper around the courgette and squeeze out the excess moisture. Pack into freezer-proof sealable bags, squeezing out the excess air. Lay flat until frozen.

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