This easy-fried zucchini recipe transforms ordinary zucchini into a crispy and flavorful dish. Serve as an appetizer or a tasty side dish with a bowl of warm marinara and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
If you have a summer garden, chances are pretty good that you have some zucchini, and if you don’t, zucchini is readily available at your local grocery store all year. This is one of our favorite zucchini recipes. You can make these up to a few hours in advance and reheat them right in the air fryer or oven, and they will still be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. We like to serve them with marinara, but you can also serve them with Honey Mustard Sauce or Southern Comeback Sauce.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Zucchini: Look for medium-sized, unblemished, firm zucchini
- Breadcrumbs: You can use Italian or Panko breadcrumbs, but I like a combination of both.
- Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese as it is flavor-packed and helps make this recipe so delectable.
- Seasonings: Dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper
- Oil: Use a high smoke point oil like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil.
- Sauce: marinara or homemade ranch
Preparation Tips For Fried Zucchini
- Leave the skin on and cut the sticks or rounds for zucchini bites about 1/3-1/2 inch thick for optimum frying.
- I like to make my breadcrumbs using croutons. They provide such terrific flavor with a lot fewer preservatives. I grind them up in my mini food processor.
- To avoid the dreaded breading fingers, use one hand for the wet ingredients and the other for the dry ingredients! Voila, no more constant hand washing.
- Try cooking in the air fryer for a lighter version with less fat and calories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bread the zucchini per the instructions and spray the pieces lightly with cooking spray. Then, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Arrange in a single layer and cook for about 5-7 minutes or until crispy. Every air fryer cooks differently, so check on them several times.
Bread the zucchini per the instructions and spray the pieces lightly with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the breaded zucchini in a single layer with some space between them. Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Reheat in an air fryer in a single layer at 400 degrees for 2-3 minutes or in the oven at 375 degrees for 5-6 minutes.
More Zucchini Recipes
Fried Zucchini Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 medium to large zucchini
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Marinara optional
Instructions
- Set up 3 bowls. One with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one mixed with Italian breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Dip each stick in the flour, then in the eggs, and then in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat 1/2 inch oil in a Dutch oven heavy or heavy skillet. Working in batches, fry the zucchini for 2-3 minutes per side. Remove to paper towels to drain any excess grease. Serve with warm marinara sauce.
Notes
- Leave the skin on and cut the sticks or rounds for zucchini bites about 1/3-1/2 inch thick for optimum frying.
- I like to make my breadcrumbs using croutons. They provide such terrific flavor with a lot fewer preservatives. I grind them up in my mini food processor.
- To avoid the dreaded breading fingers, use one hand for the wet ingredients and the other for the dry ingredients! Voila, no more constant hand washing.
- Try cooking in the air fryer for a lighter version with less fat and calories.
Nutrition
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Samantha
I never used to like zucchini and recently found that I did like it, so this came at the right time for me. So darn delicious and easy to make.
Paula Montgomery
I like your tip about using one hand for wet ingredients and the other for dry. Sounds like a simple trick that saves frustration during the breading process.
Beth Pierce
Yes, indeed!
Karen
We tried the fried zucchini yesterday and they turned out sooooooo good…Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe. I will be doing it again over the weekend.
Beth Pierce
So happy that you liked the fried zucchini, Karen!
Camille L
Really enjoyed this recipe – the fried zucchini turned out much better than I expected. Thanks for sharing a simple, satisfying idea that’s so easy to pull together!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Camille!
Janelle D
This is such a great and alternative idea for courgettes. I love the crispy coating a lot – it makes a great little appetizer or a side dish.
Staci
Another great recipe by you. You’re literally my go-to for meal planning. My family and I can’t thank you enough.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Staci!
Sandy
Absolutely delicious. They are nice and crispy. They are pretty easy to make. My husband loved them and so did I. I grew zucchini and I still have a lot left. I will try your other recipe, too. Thank you so very much.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Sandy!
Kennerly
We love zucchini and this was a fun new way to fix it. I served it with some sriracha mayonnaise and the kids and I loved them. Great texture and crunch!
Marilyn
I’ve had zucchini fries a couple times, but I’ve never tried making them. We have a new air fryer and I’d love to give this a try, especially in the summer when we have so much zucchini!
Rosalinda K
I did dip in marinara but I think they also taste good on their own. Crispy and flavorful! My daughter and I loved them!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Rosalinda! So glad that you and your daughter liked them!