Zucchini Bites are little savory balls that are loaded with fresh zucchini, Parmesan, and an assortment of seasoning for the best flavor. They are crispy and golden brown on the outside, and tender inside. Plus, they're quick and easy to make in under 30 minutes and you can either bake them in the oven or cook in the air fryer.
So if you have an abundance of summer zucchini growing in your garden, zucchini balls are the perfect recipe to try. Serve these zucchini nuggets as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce, as a snack in your kid's lunch box, or as vegetarian meatballs in your favorite dinner recipes.
Why You'll Love These Zucchini Bites
- Quick and easy. Who doesn't love quick and easy recipes? These zucchini bites are ready to eat in under 30 minutes - including prep! All you need to do is shred the zucchini, combine the ingredients, roll into balls and cook. It's so easy that it's perfect for beginners to try and build some confidence in the kitchen, but seasoned home cooks will love it too!
- Crispy outside, soft and tender inside. These zucchini balls have the best texture thanks to the moisture in the fresh zucchini. They are crispy and golden on the outside, and tender on the inside.
- You can bake or air fry them. I love making these zucchini nuggets in the air fryer because it cooks fast, requires no preheating, and the results are delicious. But the good news is that if you don't have an air fryer, you can easily cook these bites in the oven.
- Serve them hot or cold. You can serve these zucchini parmesan bites hot and fresh out of the oven and enjoy the leftovers cold. Either way, it's delicious and totally your personal preference how you want to eat them. For this reason, they are also great for meal prep as a healthy snack in work lunches or as vegetarian meatballs for school lunches.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make these delicious Zucchini Bites, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in recipe card below):
- zucchini - these zucchini balls are made with shredded zucchini. Shred zucchini easily using a box grater or food processor.
- Panko breadcrumbs - I like the texture of Panko breadcrumbs in this recipe, but you can easily substitute it with regular breadcrumbs.
- Parmesan cheese
- egg - helps to hold the balls together.
- vegetable oil
- garlic powder
- paprika
- Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a box grater or food processor (to shred the zucchini), mixing bowl, and skillet.
How to Make the Best Zucchini Bites
- Shred the zucchini. Use a box grater or food processor to shred the zucchini.
- Combine ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded zucchini, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, oil, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well until evenly combined.
- Shape zucchini bites. Take 2 spoonfuls of the zucchini mixture at a time and shape into 1.5-inch balls. Set aside on a plate.
- Cook. Cook the zucchini bites in an air fryer or in the oven.
- To air fry: Place the zucchini balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray with some cooking oil spray to keep them from sticking together. Cook at 350F for 13-15 minutes until golden brown.
- To bake: Bake in a 375F preheated oven for 15 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, if desired.
How to Serve
Serve zucchini balls as a hot appetizer on its own or with a side of your favorite dipping sauce. Try it with:
You can also serve these air fryer zucchini bites as vegetarian meatballs, substituting them in your favorite meatball recipes and just make the sauce to toss them in such as Teriyaki Meatballs, Swedish Meatballs, or Italian Meatballs.
Or serve them over salads to that need a little extra to make them more filling.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to store: Allow the air fryer zucchini bites to cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- How to freeze: These zucchini balls also freeze well. Once they have cooled to room temperature, store in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To eat, allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator first. Then, serve it cold or warm it up and enjoy it hot.
- How to reheat: I recommend reheating these baked zucchini bites in an air fryer if you have one. Reheat at 350F for 4-5 minutes until warm and crisp on the outside. You can also reheat them in an 350F preheated oven for about 10 minutes until warm.
More Zucchini Recipes
- Zucchini Fritters
- Baked Zucchini with Marinara
- Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
- Air Fryer Vegetables
- Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins
- Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
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Recipe
Zucchini Bites
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 20 pieces (4 servings)
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Zucchini Bites are savory balls that are loaded with fresh zucchini. They're quick and easy to make in under 30 minutes in the air fryer or oven.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded zucchini
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Use a box grater or food processor to shred the zucchini.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded zucchini, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, oil, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well until evenly combined.
- Take 2 spoonfuls of the zucchini mixture at a time and shape into 1.5-inch balls. Set aside on a plate.
- Cook the zucchini bites in an air fryer or in the oven.
- To air fry: Place the zucchini balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray with some cooking oil spray to keep them from sticking together. Cook at 350F for 13-15 minutes until golden brown.
- To bake: Bake in a 375F preheated oven for 15 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, if desired.
Notes
How to store: Allow the zucchini bites to cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
How to freeze: These zucchini balls also freeze well. Once they have cooled to room temperature, store in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To eat, allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator first. Then, serve it cold or warm it up and enjoy it hot.
How to reheat: I recommend reheating these zucchini bites in an air fryer if you have one. Reheat at 350F for 4-5 minutes until warm and crisp on the outside. You can also reheat them in an 350F preheated oven for about 10 minutes until warm.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nicole says
Awesome appetizer, easy enough that you can make other things and not feel exhausted. Tastes like you spent hours. It's refreshing to have a vegetable based app that isn't doused in cheese. I served it with an herby whipped ricotta per your suggestion, also a new recipe for me. Both were a hit. I will be looking for more recipes here. Thank you for your post
Elizabeth Murphy says
I made my Sunday sauce and this recipe and OMMGGG this recipe is so good! I used fresh garlic and herbs like parsley and basil compared to dry it definitely brings amazing flavors out. Definitely try this out!
Liz N says
The only adjustment I’d make to the recipe is to drain the zucchini by patting it with a clean towel to remove as much water as possible. Because mine were wet I flattened the second batch of zucchini bites when I put them in the air fryer so that they cooked more evenly. Thanks for easy zucchini recipe!