Fried Zucchini

Fried Zucchini are flavorful, savory, and delicious. Soft and tender zucchini fries are coated in a golden crispy breadcrumb exterior in every mouthwatering bite. This recipe is one of my favorite ways to use up that summer zucchini from the garden or farmer's market.

This fried squash makes the best summer appetizer, game day snack, or summer cookout bite. Fried zucchini is so easy to make using just a handful of ingredients in under 30 minutes. Plus, you can get the whole family involved in coating the zucchini while you get busy at the stove frying them in batches. The kids will love dunking this summer veggie in flour, egg and breadcrumbs. So much fun!

Why You'll Love this Fried Zucchini

• Quick and easy appetizer. You can make 4 servings of fried zucchini in just 25 minutes — and maybe even less if you have some helpers in the kitchen. Just slice up the zucchini into fries or rounds, coat them in flour, eggs, and seasoned breadcrumbs, then fry them to golden perfection. It's a great last minute appy to make this summer.
• Crunchy outside creamy inside. These delicious zucchini bites are soft and tender inside, while crisp and golden outside giving a satisfying crunch to every bite. Truly the best combination of textures!
• They are freezer-friendly. You can make this fried zucchini months ahead and store in the freezer for another day. Plus, you can reheat them directly from frozen. Meal prepping freezer-friendly meals to have on hand on busy days is so convenient!

Ingredient Notes

To make this delicious Fried Zucchini, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• zucchini - choose a zucchini that doesn’t have any soft spots. It should be firm when squeezed, dark green on the outside, and 6-8 inches long for the best results.
• breadcrumbs - use store-bought breadcrumbs or make your own by crushing up some toast or dried bread. You can also use panko breadcrumbs for a different texture.
• Parmesan cheese - you can also substitute with asiago cheese.
• seasoning - we season the breadcrumb mixture with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. You can play around with different seasoning blends to change up the flavor.
• flour - or substitute with cornstarch.
• eggs
• vegetable oil - for frying the zucchini.

Dipping Sauce

You can serve fried zucchini plain or pair them with some dipping sauce. Some of our favorite dips are:

• Marinara Sauce
• Ranch Dip
• Caramelized Onion Dip
• Pizza Dip
• Ketchup
• Mayonnaise

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, shallow bowls, and a skillet or frying pan.

How to Make the Best Fried Zucchini

1. Prep zucchini. Cut off the ends of the zucchini. Slice the zucchini into approximately ½-inch wide x 3-inch long pieces, or slice into rounds.

2. Make breadcrumb mixture. In a mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix well and transfer onto a shallow plate.

3. Coat the zucchini. Place the flour into another shallow plate, and the beaten eggs into another clean shallow plate. Dip each zucchini stick into the flour to evenly coat it on all sides. Then, dip into the egg to evenly coat, and then coat it in the breadcrumb mixture. (The flour will stick to the zucchini, the egg sticks to the flour, and the breadcrumbs sticks to the egg). Shake off any excess breadcrumbs. Arrange the breaded zucchini on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

1. Fry. Add oil to a large skillet or frying pan until it is at least ½-inch deep. Heat over medium-high heat the hot oil is sizzling. Fry the zucchini sticks in batches until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer the fried zucchini onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

5. Serve. Serve with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce, if desired.

How to Serve

Serve Fried Zucchini on their own as an appetizer or snack with a side of marinara sauce or ranch for dipping. You can also serve them as a side dish at dinner. Some of our favorite meals to pair this with are:

• Black Bean Burgers
• Creamy Salmon Pasta
• Southwest Quiona Salad
• Chicken Meatballs
• Garlic Butter Steak Bites
• Caprese Sandwich

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Line an airtight container with paper towels. Once the fried zucchini cools to room temperature, place them in the lined container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How to Reheat

You can reheat fried zucchini bites in the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer. Preheat the oven to 400F and arrange the zucchini in a single layer. Heat for 5-10 minutes or until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Place the fried zucchini in a single layer on a baking sheet in a single layer and place in the freezer for 1-2 hours until hard. Then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. and store for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen in a 400F preheated oven for about 10 minutes until warm and crispy.

More Zucchini Recipes

• Cheesy Baked Zucchini with Marinara
• Zucchini Lasagna
• Zucchini Fritters
• Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
• Zucchini Bites
• Zucchini Bread

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