Mücver – Turkish Zucchini Fritters

Name: Mücver – Turkish Zucchini Fritters
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 3 zucchinis (peeled); 2 large eggs; 6 tablespoons all purpose flour; 4 green onions (chopped); ¾ cup fresh dill (chopped); ½ cup parsley (chopped); ½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon salt; olive oil (For frying)

Shadi HasanzadeNemati

5 from 13 votes

May 29, 2019, Updated Jun 09, 2025

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Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, Mücver is a classic Turkish zucchini fritters recipe that’s ready in 30 minutes. This recipe calls for fresh zucchini, dill, parsley, and green onions, creating a delicious dish that will have you come back for seconds!

a top view of a large plate of Turkish zucchini fritters mucver served with a dollop of yogurt and cherry tomatoes

Made with simple ingredients and pan-fried to golden perfection, Mücver is a quick and easy way to elevate your meals. Enjoy them as a snack, a side dish, or even a light vegetarian main course, paired with creamy garlic yogurt for a truly irresistible combination.

I love zucchini and many Turkish and Mediterranean recipes call for it. Mucver is one of the common dishes you can find in Turkey alongside Turkish Ezme, Pide, Lahmacun, and Piyaz (Turkish White Bean Salad). Similar to Turkish leeks, these light fritters are usually served with some yogurt on top or with some Cacik on the side.

What Is Mücver?
Ingredients
How To Make Mücver
Recipe Tips
What To Eat With Mucver
Variations
How to Store Mucver
Frequently Asked Questions
More Turkish Recipes
Mücver – Turkish Zucchini Fritters Recipe

What Is Mücver?

Mücver, pronounced “mooj-VEHR,” also known as Turkish courgette fritters or zucchini fritters are delicious vegetarian fritters. These fritters are very economical and combine the humble zucchini with a medley of fresh herbs and simple spices.

Mucver holds a special place in Turkish cuisine as a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, a side dish, or a light vegetarian main course. These fritters are known for their crispy exterior, tender interior, and the vibrant flavors imparted by fresh dill, parsley, and green onions.

Just like my delicious Cauliflower Fritters, these are perfect for summer and would be perfect as part of a vegetarian lunch with some Turkish Vegan Red Lentil Balls (Mercimek Köftesi).

Ingredients

To make zucchini fritters you need zucchinis, green onion, parsley, dill, eggs, flour and Aleppo pepper.

Zucchini: Green zucchini works best for this recipe, especially in summer. I have used kousa (Mexican squash) for this recipe and it works very well.

Green Onions: They add a mild, fresh onion flavor that complements the zucchini’s subtle sweetness. You can use chives or finely diced shallots instead.

All-Purpose Flour: It gives structure to the fritters, helping them hold their shape when fried. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free blend.

Eggs: Room temperature eggs bind the ingredients together. For a vegan option, use a flaxseed egg instead.

Herbs: You need fresh dill and parsley for this recipe.

Spices: You need salt, pepper, and Aleppo pepper which is a type of red pepper flakes that’s available online or at Mediterranean shops.

Olive Oil: It lends a mild fruity flavor to the fritters while helping them crisp up beautifully. Use vegetable oil for a neutral flavor .

How To Make Mücver

grate the zucchini, add all the herbs, add eggs, mix in the spices and flour then fry them.

Prepare the zucchini: Peel the zucchini and grate them into a large bowl. Squeeze out the excess liquid using your hands. You can get rid of the excess liquid by squeezing the zucchini through a cheesecloth as well.

Add Fresh herbs: Mix in the chopped green onions, dill, and parsley until evenly combined.

Add the eggs: Crack the eggs into the mixture and stir thoroughly to bind the ingredients.

Add the dry ingredients: Add the flour, Aleppo pepper, black pepper, and salt. Mix well until a cohesive batter forms.

Fry and serve: Heat olive oil in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Drop 2 tablespoons of batter per fritter into the pan, flatten slightly, and fry for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer fried fritters to a plate lined with a paper towel to get rid of the excess oil. Give the batter a good stir and fry the next batch.

Recipe Tips

Test A Fritter First: I usually fry one fritter first as a tester before cooking the full batch to ensure the flavors are on point and the texture is not too soft. Then I continue with the remaining batter to fry all the fritters.

Squeeze the Zucchini Thoroughly: To achieve crispy fritters, squeeze the grated zucchini hard using a cheesecloth and discard the excess water for the best results. Place grated zucchini in a colander, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt, and let it drain for 10 minutes.

Make Them Uniform: Use a small ice cream scoop or a measuring spoon to portion out the batter for evenly sized fritters. I usually use a 3-tablespoon scoop.

Keep the Oil at the Right Temperature: Heat the olive oil over medium heat. If the oil is too hot, the fritters may burn; if it’s too cool, the fritters will absorb excess oil.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the fritters in small batches. It’s important to give the fritters enough space to fry and also be able to flip them to develop a crispy, golden crust. Overcrowded pan will result in soggy fritters.

What To Eat With Mucver

You can enjoy mucver as a nice appetizer or mezze with a side of plain or garlic yogurt which perfectly complements the fritters’ herby flavors.

Also you can turn them into a delicious Mediterranean sandwich by stuffing them into a homemade pita or make a wrap using lavash with some tomatoes, pickles, lettuce and some homemade yogurt.

Consider serving them alongside grilled meats, such as Kofta Kebabs or Chicken Skewers, or with a vibrant Mediterranean Salad or Turkish Tomato Salad for a refreshing contrast.

For a complete Mediterranean-inspired feast, add dips like Hummus, Haydari and Havuc Tarator to the spread.

Variations

Add Carrots: Some Turkish recipes call for 1 grated carrot as well. You can add the grated carrot to the grated zucchini and squeeze all to ensure no excess liquid is left. Carrot adds a hint of natural sweetness and a pop of color to the fritters while keeping them crispy and delicious.

Include Cheese: Add crumbled feta cheese or shredded halloumi for a creamy, salty twist. This variation is especially popular in some Turkish regions and pairs wonderfully with the herbs.

Spice It Up: Enhance the flavor with a pinch of ground cumin, smoked paprika, or chili flakes. These spices add a deeper and slightly smoky flavor to the fritters.

How to Store Mucver

Place mucver leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat in the oven at 300°F for 15-20 minutes, but place fritters on a wire rack over a baking sheet to keep them crispy and avoid any sogginess from trapped steam.

Freezing: Let the fritters cool at room temperature and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for one hour until they are solid. Transfer the frozen fritters to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, take them out of the bag and let them thaw and then reheat them in the oven.

Can I make mucver ahead of time?

Yes, you can make mucver ahead of time and simply reheat them in a hot pan with a bit of oil right before serving. I don’t recommend making the fritter batter ahead of time since the zucchinis will release more water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my zucchini fritters falling apart?

This could happen for a few reasons such as not having enough eggs or flour in the mixture or the zucchini still containing too much liquid. Always try with one zucchini fritter and if that falls apart, then add a tablespoon of flour and try again.

What is the key to keeping Mucver fritters crispy?

The key is to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the grated zucchini before mixing the batter. This prevents soggy fritters and helps them stay crispy during frying.

Can I bake mucver instead of frying them?

Yes. Make the batter as instructed and preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat the bottom of a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick spray and transfer the batter to the pan. Bake in the oven for about 30-40 minutes until fully cooked. Let it cool at room temperature then slice it into squares.