Zucchini & Cottage Cheese Fritters with Smoked Salmon

A high-protein, low-fuss brekkie that feels fancy but takes less than 20 minutes

Some mornings you want to channel your inner café regular—minus the $24 breakfast bill and awkward “table for one?” moment. These Zucchini & Cottage Cheese Fritters are your answer. They’re crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and made to be topped with smoky ribbons of salmon that make it feel like a brunch situation… even if you’re still in your slippers.

They’re also surprisingly healthy, low in fuss, and use ingredients you can grab from any Aussie supermarket.

💪 Why This Breakfast Works

This dish is a powerhouse of protein, fibre, and flavour, and it doubles as a light lunch if you make an extra serve.

Cottage cheese = lean protein to keep you fuller for longer
Zucchini = fibre & hydration, great for digestion and skin
Egg = protein + binding power
Smoked salmon = omega-3s & flavour punch

Plus, they reheat like a dream, so if you’re meal prepping, this one’s a winner.

🧾 Ingredients (Serves 1)

Ingredient	Amount
Zucchini (grated)	1 small (~120g)
Cottage cheese	⅓ cup
Egg	1
Plain flour (or GF flour)	2 tablespoons
Spring onion (finely sliced)	1
Fresh dill (optional)	1 teaspoon
Salt & pepper	To taste
Olive oil	1 tablespoon
Smoked salmon slices	40–50g
Lemon wedge	To serve

Optional toppings:

Poached egg
Dollop of Greek yoghurt or avocado mash
Capers or pickled onion for zing

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Grate your zucchini and squeeze out the excess liquid using a clean tea towel or your hands over the sink. Don’t skip this step or you’ll have soggy fritters!
In a mixing bowl, combine grated zucchini, cottage cheese, egg, flour, spring onion, dill, salt, and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a non-stick frypan over medium heat.
Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the pan, flattening slightly to form 2–3 fritters.
Cook for 3–4 minutes each side, until golden brown and cooked through.
Plate up with smoked salmon on the side or layered on top. Squeeze over lemon and crack some fresh pepper on top.

🥗 Nutrition Snapshot (Approximate)

Calories: ~350 kcal
Protein: ~26g
Fibre: ~3g
Omega-3s: ~600mg
Calcium: ~15% RDI

💡 Tips & Hacks

Make ahead? Cook the fritters the night before and reheat in a dry pan or toaster oven in the morning.
On a budget? Use tinned salmon or skip the fish and serve with a poached egg or hummus.
Going GF? Swap flour for almond meal or gluten-free flour blend.

🥄 Solo Life Friendly

This recipe is:

✅ Quick (under 20 mins)
✅ Great for fridge clean-outs (toss in leftover herbs or corn)
✅ Reheats well
✅ Can be doubled for lunch tomorrow

🙌 Wrap Up

These fritters are the kind of meal that looks impressive but is secretly super simple. They’re ideal for those “I want real food but also can’t be bothered” mornings. Whether you’re fuelling up post-walk or just treating yourself midweek, this is a high-protein, low-fuss dish that hits the spot.