When Summer arrives we’re making stuffed zucchini flowers that’s so easy to make. With a plethora of zucchini flowers this season, a favorite appetizer to share are these crispy fried zucchini blossoms. Stuff it with your favorite ground meat and you have a fantastic side dish to share.

Crispy Fried Zucchini Flowers Recipe

If you’re growing zucchini, you’ll have plenty of zucchini flowers or zucchini blossoms to cook. Or during Summer, farmers markets are filled with these edible yellow flowers for sale. If you’re wondering how to cook them, a classic way is to stuffed these zucchini blossoms with your favorite filling. Then they’re deep fried in a light crispy batter. The results are wonderful and delicious! It’s a fancy looking appetizer or side dish but it’s crazy easy to make.

stuffed zucchini flowers fried

What do Fried stuffed zucchini blossoms taste like?

The zucchini flowers themselves are delicate and light when fried in our simple batter. But they’re the perfect little pocket for stuffing. It’s all about the flavorful stuffing and our light, crispy batter. When the meat filling is cooked in the flowers, it makes each bite so flavorful and delicious. It might look fancy, but it’s definitely not a fussy dish.

Video: Stuffed Zucchini Flowers Recipe

What type of filling for crispy fried stuffed squash blossoms?

There’s so many different filling options for zucchini flowers. Choose your favorite! Here’s some great and yummy stuffing ideas;

  • Ground meats like beef, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb
  • Un-cooked ground sausage meat is great too.
  • Make plant based or vegan stuffed zucchini flowers with different types of vegetarian style meats.
  • Vegetarian filling with just veggies like chopped mushrooms, broccoli, mashed potato or onion.
  • If you love cheese, add a bit of cheese in the filling. A nice melty cheese stuffed zucchini flowers blossoms is amazing!

Tips on Cooking Fried Zucchini Flowers

  • Do you know the difference between male vs female zucchini flowers? It doesn’t matter which one you use for this recipe, they both work. But female flowers have a little baby zucchini attached at the base of the flower. The male flowers are solely just the flowers. Here’s a great discussion on male vs female zucchini blossoms.
  • Don’t over-stuff the zucchini flowers. The flower petals will tear, so be cautious to fill too much filing.
  • If you don’t want to deep fry the blossoms, you can roast them in the oven. Just add a light oil spray on top and roast at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes or until the meat filling is cooked through.
  • All stuffed zucchini flowers recipe details are in the recipe box below.

Crispy Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

Yield: 6 Servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
These make an elegant stuffed zucchini flower. You can stuff them with whatever meat filling you like, from ground pork, to chicken, even ground shrimp or uncooked sausage meat. If you use uncooked sausage meat, you don't need the extra flavorings like the garlic or Worcestershire/soy sauce if you don't want to add it.
Try to keep the filling sizes consistent so that cooking time will be the same for all flowers. A thinner stuffed flower will cook quicker than a thicker stuffed flower. Adjust cooking times as needed. Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. Cook in batches as needed.
5 from 3 votes

{click on stars to rate}

PRINT RECIPE Review Save to Pinterest

Ingredients

  • 12-14 zucchini flowers , center pistil or stamens removed

For the Filling:

  • 1/2 pound (227 g) ground meat (pork, chicken, turkey, beef, shrimp, uncooked sausage meat, etc.)
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 cloves garlic , minced
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) Worcestershire or soy sauce , or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) sugar , or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) black pepper

For The Batter:

  • 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) black pepper
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) cold water (approximately) or more if needed
  • oil for frying

Instructions 

  • If needed, remove the center pistil or stamen from each of the flower.
    Removing pistil from squash blossom
  • In bowl, combine filling ingredients (ground meat, egg yolk, Worcestershire or soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and black pepper).
    Mixing squash blossom filling
  • Stuff about 1 Tablespoon of filling into each flower, leaving a little room at the top of the flowers to close the petals around the filling (amount will vary depending on size of the flowers).
    Putting the stuffing into the squash blossom
  • Make the batter: whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk in water, starting with ¾ cup of water first. You want the batter to be the consistency similar to heavy cream. Add additional water as needed. Whisk until there are no lumps and the batter is smooth.
    Pouring water into the flour mix for the batter
  • Dip the stuffed flowers in batter, allowing excess to drip off.
    Holding a stuffed blossom with tongs after dipping in batter
  • Heat skillet or pan with oil about 3/4-inch (2 cm) deep on medium-high heat. Heat oil to 350°F/175°C. Fry the stuffed flowers for about 2 minutes per side until golden brown, or until filling is cooked. Cook in batches if needed, don’t overcrowd the pan.
    Stuffed blossoms frying in oil
  • Remove from oil and let drain on paper towels. Serve warm.
    Placing fried stuffed blossom on paper towels after frying

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 187kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 59mg, Sodium: 236mg, Potassium: 216mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 123IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 49mg, Iron: 2mg
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack, Vegetables
Cuisine: American, Asian, Italian
Calories: 187

How to serve stuffed squash blossoms?

They’re delectable on their own and you can make a meal out of them if you want. But they’re most popular as a side dish or appetizer.

  • Serve with a side of marinara sauce or ranch dressing.
  • Add it to an appetizer platter with some cheese, chopped vegetables, toast and a side of anchovies.
  • It’s a great side dish next to grilled meats or with pasta and grains.
  • these crispy fried zucchini blossoms are wonderful as a snack.
stuffed squash blossoms

More Easy Recipes: