Description
Crispy and flavorful baked zucchini fries coated in a seasoned breadcrumb and Parmesan crust, perfect as a healthy appetizer or snack. This easy-to-make recipe uses simple ingredients and baking to achieve a crunchy texture without frying, making it a lighter alternative for zucchini lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 4 medium zucchini (about 1 to 1 ¼ lbs.)
Breading
- ¼ cup flour (all purpose or gluten-free 1-to-1)
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tbsp. milk (regular, oat, soy, or nut-based)
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs (plain or gluten-free if needed)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- 1 tsp. salt (to taste)
- ¼ tsp. black pepper (to taste)
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- Parsley (curly, finely chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the zucchini fries.
- Prepare Zucchini: Trim the ends off the zucchinis and cut each one lengthwise into quarters to create fry-like strips.
- Set Up Breading Stations: In three shallow bowls, place the flour in the first bowl. Whisk together the egg and milk in the second bowl. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Coat the Zucchini: Working in small batches, toss the zucchini strips in the flour, shaking off excess. Dip them into the egg wash, allowing extra liquid to drip off. Finally, coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere well.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the coated zucchini strips in a single layer, making sure they do not touch to ensure even baking.
- Bake the Fries: Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through the cooking time to promote even crispiness.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle the zucchini fries with finely chopped parsley. Serve warm with your choice of dipping sauce such as ketchup, ranch, or marinara sauce. Enjoy your crispy baked zucchini fries!
Notes
- Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs if needed to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Choose a non-dairy milk like oat or almond milk to keep it dairy-free.
- For extra crispiness, consider turning on the oven’s broiler for the last 1-2 minutes—watch closely to avoid burning.
- Serve immediately for the best texture, as the fries may soften on standing.
- These fries make a great side dish or healthy snack option.
