Greek Zucchini Balls – Kolokithokeftedes

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, Updated Jul 12, 2025

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Greek Kolokithokeftedes (κολοκυθοκεφτέδες) – which translates as zucchini balls or courgette balls – are a delicious mezze served in Tavernas everywhere. These super tasty little balls are delicious served with tzatziki sauce as a starter or shared appetizer. Easy to make in your air fryer or frying pan.

Whenever I try to write up the Greek recipes I grew up with and spend a lifetime enjoying I run up into naming issues. How to describe kolokithokeftedes in English? Well the word is made up of kolokithi (zucchini / courgette) and keftedes which means meatballs.

So I decided to call them Greek Zucchini Balls here but they go by many other names like zucchini fritters (courgette fritters) or zucchini patties. Whatever you decide to call them, they are absolutely delicious and a great way to use up summer zucchini.

Zucchini balls can be served part of a mezze selection – small shared dishes that are served as starters or appetizers with ouzo or wine. But you can also eat them as a light lunch with tzatziki and a Greek salad.

A plate of golden-brown Greek Zucchini Balls, also known as kolokithokeftedes, is garnished with herbs and served with a creamy dip and lemon wedge. One fritter has a bite taken out, revealing a vibrant green, herby filling.

Greek Zucchini Balls – Tools and Ingredients

A mini food processor (mini chopper) is very useful for making the breadcrumbs and blitzing the onion, feta and herbs. You can pan fry the zucchini balls or cook them in an air fryer.

Zucchini (courgettes) – the main ingredients in this dish, hence the name
Feta cheese – barrel-aged feta cheese for maximum flavor!
Red onion
Egg to help bind the zucchini balls
Fresh breadcrumbs (not Panko) I used brioche buns
Herbs – fresh mint and parsley are essential!
Salt, pepper and garlic powder
Olive oil to fry

Top-down view of ingredients in separate bowls labeled: feta cheese, zucchini (courgette) for kolokithokeftedes, mint, olive oil, parsley, red onion, bread for breadcrumbs, egg, and a mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

How to Make Zucchini Balls

PREPARE THE ZUCCHINI

Line a bowl with a clean linen towel. Grate the zucchini using a box grater, place on the towel and sprinkle with a little salt, this will help draw the moisture out of the zucchini. Leave them to stand for a few minutes while you prep the remaining ingredients.

A hand sprinkles salt from a white spoon over a bowl of shredded zucchini, prepping the base for Greek Zucchini Balls (kolokithokeftedes), in a green colander on a marble countertop.

Place the bread cubes in a mini food processor and blitz to make fine breadcrumbs. Transfer those to a bowl. Place the onion, herbs and feta in the processor and pulse a few times.
Squeeze the towel tightly to drain the moisture from the zucchini. Do this a couple of times – the less moisture, the crunchier your fritters will be.

A hand squeezing shredded zucchini in a cloth, with liquid dripping into a green bowl—perfect prep for courgette fritters or Greek Zucchini Balls, also known as kolokithokeftedes.

Place the zucchini into a mixing bowl and add the contents of the food processor, the breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix well and leave to stand for a few minutes then form into small balls.

Pan Fry the Zucchini Balls

Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium–high heat. Add the zucchini balls, spaced apart, and fry for 2-3 minutes per side or until nicely golden – you will need to fry them in two batches. Take care when flipping them over as they can be quite soft. Transfer to plate lined with paper towels so that excess oil can be absorbed.

Seven kolokithokeftedes, or Greek Zucchini Balls, are being cooked in a frying pan with oil. One fritter is being flipped with a fork and spoon, revealing a golden-brown underside while the rest remain uncooked on top.

Air Fryer Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Place a liner in the basket and mist with oil. Position the zucchini balls on the liner so that they are spaced apart to allow them to crisp up evenly. Mist with oil and air fry for 6-7 minutes.
Gently flip the zucchini balls over and air fry for a further 6-7 minutes or until they are golden and crisp. Depending on the size of your air fryer you may need to cook these in batches.

Side-by-side images show round courgette fritters on parchment paper in an air fryer basket: on the left they are raw, pale and greenish; on the right, these Greek Zucchini Balls (kolokithokeftedes) are cooked, darker, and browned.

Serving Suggestions for Kolokithokeftedes

These crispy Greek zucchini fritters are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed hot or cold! Here’s how to serve them:

With Tzatziki (a must!) These fritters love to be dunked in something cool and creamy. Serve them with a generous bowl of homemade Tzatziki for the ultimate Greek pairing.
Tucked into pita with tomato, onion, lettuce, and tzatziki or tahini sauce.
As part of a mezze platter Create a Mediterranean feast with horiatiki salata, tiropita, pita bread, crispy falafel, olives, dolmades, grilled halloumi, and hummus.

Recipe Notes

STORING AND FREEZING: store leftovers in the fridge for a couple of days and reheat in the air fryer or eat cold. You can also freeze the cooked zucchini balls for up to two months and pan or air fry them from frozen.
HOW TO AVOID SOGGY KOLOKITHOKEFTEDES: make sure you drain all the moisture from the grated courgette first. This is the first key to success! Make sure you don’t overcrowd them when pan frying and drain excess oil on paper towels before serving.
AIR FRYER ZUCCHINI BALLS: air frying will create crispier and healthier results as you will be using minimal oil. Make sure you weigh down the air fryer liner so it can’t be pulled into the air circulating from the top.

Close-up of several uncooked Greek Zucchini Balls, also known as kolokithokeftedes, made with chopped greens, carrots, and cheese, sitting on a baking sheet with a light coating of oil.

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Tried these crispy Greek Zucchini Balls? I’d love to hear how they turned out!
Leave a rating and a comment below to let me know what you thought — it really helps others find the recipe too. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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