Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries
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These amazing Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries are super easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. Coated with a savory herbed breading and baked to perfection, they’re the perfect crunchy and delicious side dish, healthy snack or game day appetizer!
My kids may say they don’t like zucchini but when it’s transformed into these baked zucchini fries, it’s a different story! It’s a super easy recipe that they love helping to make AND eat! Just slice the zucchini into fry shapes, then let them have fun dipping them into the egg wash and panko breadcrumbs!
Once they’re all coated, just place them on a cookie sheet in the oven until they are golden brown and baked to crispy perfection. Serve these delicious zucchini fries with marinara sauce, ranch dressing or other favorite dipping sauce and watch as they are woofed down!
If your family loves zucchini recipes as much as mine, you should definitely try this amazing Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread and Baked Ziti with Zucchini! With these recipes in your meal planning line up, you’ll never have a hard time getting kids to eat their veggies!
💖 Why We Love this Baked Zucchini Recipe
- They have the most amazing crispy texture with delicious, savory Italian herb seasoning
- Easy recipe that’s a great way to use up an abundance of zucchini during the summer growing months.
- Healthier alternative to regular fries that kids and adults alike will love.
What’s Needed for Baked Zucchini Fries
What’s Needed for Baked Zucchini Sticks
- Fresh Zucchini– you’ll want medium sized zucchini because larger ones usually contain too much water.
- Flour-all purpose flour or self rising can be used in this breading.
- Panko breadcrumbs– needed to make the breading light and airy.
- Milk– use whole milk or even evaporated milk to make the egg wash. 2% and skim contains too much water
- Eggs-regular large eggs work fine
- Garlic powder– you can also use dried granulated garlic
- Italian seasoning-we used the store-bought blend
- Salt and black pepper
- Marinara sauce for dipping (optional)– use whichever is your favorite brand
How to Make Baked Crispy Zucchini Fries
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 1. Whisk together the egg and milk in a shallow bowl.
Step 2. In a separate small bowl or plate, stir together the panko crumbs, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Step 3. Place flour, salt, and pepper in another separate bowl and whisk to combine.
Step 4. Cut off the ends of the zucchini, then cut the zucchini in half. Next, cut each half into thirds and each third into strips.
Step 5. Dip each zucchini strip in the egg wash.
Step 6. Then place them into flour mixture.
Step 7. Then put them back in the egg mixture, then in the panko mixture.
Step 8. Transfer the coated zucchini pieces in a single layer to the lined baking sheet.
Step 9. Spray each coated fry liberally with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 10. Place the prepared baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the breaded zucchini for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping, if desired.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days.
While you can make these in advance, just like any other breaded vegetable, because of their moisture, they will become soft the longer they sit.
Are Baked Zucchini Fries Healthy?
These crispy baked zucchini fries are very healthy. A medium zucchini only has about 20 calories but is loaded with fiber, vitamins and nutrients, like vitamin A, manganese, potassium and vitamin C.
There are many health benefits associated with these nutrients that you can read all about in this article on Healthline.com.
Tips for the Best Zucchini Fries
- Always start with fresh zucchini. When selecting zucchini for this recipe, look for zucchini that feels firm and heavy with a shiny peel. The flesh of fresh zucchini should have an even white or creamy yellow color.
- Once you get your zucchini home from the grocery store or market, you should rinse it off and dry it. Place it in the fridge in the veggie crisper. It should stay fresh for about a week. Once the skin begins to wrinkle or it becomes softer to the touch, it has past its prime.
- When slicing the zucchini sticks, the larger the slices, the soggier they tend to be. For crispier fries, you’ll want to cut the fries into smaller even pieces.
- Don’t preseason sliced zucchini in advance because it will draw out the moisture which can also make the fries soggy.
Variations for Baked Zucchini Fries
- For a cheesy topping add some finely grated parmesan cheese to the top of the fries once they come out of the oven.
- We used Italian herbs to season our zucchini fries, but you can use just about any seasonings you prefer. Lemon pepper seasoning works great with this recipe, as does dry ranch seasoning mix.
- Marinara sauce is great with these fries, but you can serve them with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce.
- If you want to add a little heat to the seasoning, you can add a little Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper.
- For a low carb option, you can make the breading using almond flour and pork panko in place of the flour and the traditional panko.
- If you want a super fun twist to this recipe, you can cut the zucchini into chip shaped slices and bake them the same way.
Want More Side Dish Recipes?
- Easy Baked Beans With Bacon
- Broccoli Salad with Craisins
- Fruit Salad With Cool Whip
- Easy Grape Salad
- Mango Corn Salsa
- Black Bean & Corn Salsa
Baked Zucchini Fries
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 cup flour
- Salt & pepper
- 2 zucchini medium
- Marinara sauce for dipping optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the egg and milk in a shallow bowl.1 egg, 1/4 cup milk
- In a separate small bowl or plate, stir together the panko crumbs, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- Place flour, salt, and pepper in another separate bowl and whisk to combine.1 cup flour, Salt & pepper
- Cut the ends off the zucchini. Next, cut the zucchini in half and cut each half into thirds. Then cut each third into strips.2 zucchini
- Dip each zucchini strip in the egg wash, then place in flour mixture.
- Place zucchini strips back in the egg mixture, then roll in the panko mixture.
- Transfer the coated zucchini pieces in a single layer to the lined baking sheet.
- Spray each coated fry liberally with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the prepared baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the breaded zucchini for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping, if desired.Marinara sauce for dipping
Notes
- When slicing the zucchini sticks, the larger the slices, the soggier they tend to be. For crispier fries, you’ll want to cut the fries into smaller even pieces.
- Don’t preseason sliced zucchini in advance because it will draw out the moisture which can also make the fries soggy.
Nutrition
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My kids love this so much! Can’t wait to try the recipe! I think they will be very happy, thank you!
I hope they love this recipe as much as we do! Enjoy!