Air-fried amaranth zucchini patties
Vegetarian, packed with fiber and all the nutritious goodness of amaranth, these patties are easy to make for a Mediterranean-style light lunch or snack, or as a side dish with the protein of your choice.
MAIN COURSESNACKLUNCH
Anna Romano Gopinath
8/10/20242 min read


Intro:
I happened to have leftover amaranth and zucchini pulp after making zucchini boats, so I decided to create some patties, adding a few more ingredients like spinach and tahini paste. I used Middle Eastern style seasoning so they turned out quite similar in taste to falafel but with a softer texture and less chewy.
Amaranth is an ancient grain which has many health benefits. It is naturally gluten-free and it may help lower cholesterol. It is a good source of fiber, protein, and a wide array of micronutrients, including manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and iron.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Portions: makes approx. 10-12 patties, 3-4 portions
Ingredients:
1 cup grated or finely chopped zucchini
1 and 1/4 cup cooked amaranth
1 egg
1 cup chopped spinach
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 tablespoons tahini
1/4 cup oat flour + extra for coating
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp za'atar (optional)
1/4 tsp pepper
Juice of 1 lemon
Procedure:
1. Cook amaranth according to package instructions and let it cool to room temperature, or use refrigerated leftover amaranth.
2. Grate or finely chop a zucchini and then place the pulp in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out the liquid.
3. In a large bowl combine amaranth, zucchini, egg, spinach, parsley, tahini, oat flour, lemon juice and all the spices.
4. Mix everything together until well combined.
5. Using your hands, shape out approx. 10-12 small patties, roll them in oat flour to lightly coat them and lay them aside on a plate.
6. Pre-heat your air-fryer to 200 degrees C (400F) for 2 minutes.
7. Spray the patties with a little olive oil. Place the first half in the basket of the air-fryer making sure they do not touch each other.
8. Air fry for 15 minutes, carefully flipping the patties around after 7 minutes.
9. Remove from the air fryer and serve with a side of Greek yogurt or tzatziki as a snack or quick lunch, or as a side dish to a protein of your choice together with some salad for a more complete meal.
Notes:
Feel free to use a different kind of flour, and to use breadcrumbs for the coating for a crispier texture if gluten is not a concern.
These patties can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.