This incredibly crispy Fried Zucchini is the perfect way to transform this humble summer vegetable into an irresistible treat. With a golden, crunchy coating and tender interior, these zucchini slices make an amazing appetizer, side dish, or even a light meal when you’re craving something special but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. The best part? They’re ready in just 20 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Crispy: The special breading technique creates the most perfectly crispy exterior while keeping the zucchini tender inside.
- Quick and Simple: From start to finish in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when unexpected guests arrive.
- Versatile: Works as an appetizer, side dish, or even a main course when paired with a dipping sauce and salad.
- Great for Veggie Skeptics: Even those who typically turn their nose up at zucchini will be reaching for seconds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Zucchini: The star of the show! Medium-sized zucchini work best as they’re not too seedy. Cut them into consistent thickness for even cooking.
- Eggs: Acts as the binder that helps the coating stick to the zucchini. The protein in eggs also helps create that wonderful golden crust.
- Almond Flour: Creates a perfectly crispy exterior without being heavy like regular flour. It also adds a subtle nutty flavor that complements the zucchini beautifully.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds incredible flavor to the coating and helps it brown to a gorgeous golden color. The saltiness pairs wonderfully with the mild zucchini.
- Italian Seasoning: This herb blend brings aromatic flavor that elevates these simple zucchini slices to restaurant-quality.
- Paprika: Adds a beautiful color and subtle warmth without making the dish spicy.
- Garlic Powder: Infuses garlicky flavor throughout the coating without the risk of burning that comes with fresh garlic.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for bringing out all the other flavors. Don’t skimp here!
- Avocado Oil: Has a high smoke point, making it perfect for frying. It also has a neutral flavor that lets the zucchini and seasonings shine.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Want to customize your fried zucchini? Here are some delicious twists:
- Spicy Kick: Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the breading mixture for heat lovers.
- Mediterranean Style: Mix in some lemon zest and dried oregano to the coating, then serve with tzatziki sauce.
- Cheesy Delight: Add extra parmesan or mix in other hard cheeses like pecorino romano to the coating.
- Herb Garden: Use fresh herbs in place of dried Italian seasoning – minced rosemary, thyme, and basil make an amazing combination.
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free with the almond flour, but you can also try coconut flour or a gluten-free breadcrumb mixture.
How to Make Fried Zucchini
Step 1: Prepare Your Stations
Set up your breading station with two bowls: one for the whisked eggs and another for your dry mixture containing almond flour, parmesan, and all those wonderful seasonings. Create a third bowl with just a thin layer of the dry mixture.
Step 2: Perfect Breading Technique
Dip each zucchini slice first in egg, then place it in your third bowl. Spoon more dry mixture over the top, press lightly, then flip and repeat. This technique is the secret to getting that coating to stick perfectly without clumping!
Step 3: Fry to Golden Perfection
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Place your breaded zucchini slices in a single layer, cover with a lid, and let them sizzle for about 2-3 minutes per side until they’re beautifully golden brown.
Step 4: Drain and Serve
Transfer your crispy zucchini slices to a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil. Serve while still warm for the best texture and flavor!
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Keep One Hand Dry: Use one hand for the egg mixture and one for the dry ingredients to prevent your fingers from becoming a breaded mess.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Fry in batches to ensure each slice gets properly crispy. Overcrowding causes steaming instead of frying.
- Consistent Cutting: Slice your zucchini to a uniform thickness (about 1/4 inch) so they all cook at the same rate.
- Watch the Heat: Medium heat is perfect – too hot and the coating will burn before the zucchini softens; too low and they’ll absorb too much oil.
- Fresh Oil Between Batches: If your oil starts to get dark or contains too many loose crumbs, wipe out the pan and add fresh oil for the next batch.
How to Serve
Fried zucchini is versatile and pairs beautifully with various accompaniments:
Dipping Sauces:
Serve with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or a simple lemon-herb yogurt dip for the perfect appetizer.
Main Meal Pairings:
These crispy zucchini slices complement grilled chicken, fish, or a juicy steak beautifully. They’re also fantastic alongside pasta dishes.
Complete the Plate:
For a light summer meal, serve with a fresh tomato salad and some crusty bread to soak up any leftover sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover fried zucchini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They won’t stay quite as crispy, but they’ll still be delicious!
Freezing
While possible, freezing isn’t ideal for fried zucchini as they can become soggy when thawed. If you must freeze them, place in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month.
Reheating
For maximum crispiness, reheat in a 375°F oven for 5-7 minutes. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it will make them soggy. A quick trip in an air fryer (2-3 minutes at 350°F) works wonderfully too!
FAQs
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Why is my breading falling off my zucchini?
This usually happens when the zucchini is too wet or the oil isn’t hot enough. Make sure to pat your zucchini dry before starting the breading process, and ensure your oil is properly heated before adding the zucchini slices. Also, avoid moving the zucchini too much during the first minute of frying to give the coating time to set.
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Can I make these in an air fryer instead of frying?
Absolutely! Preheat your air fryer to 375°F, spray the breaded zucchini lightly with oil, and cook for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. They won’t be quite as indulgently crispy as the fried version, but they’ll still be delicious with significantly less oil.
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How do I prevent my zucchini from becoming soggy?
The key is to slice your zucchini to the right thickness (about 1/4 inch), use high enough heat when frying, and don’t stack them while still hot. If you’re making a large batch, you can keep the cooked slices warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to maintain crispiness.
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What can I use instead of almond flour?
If you need to avoid nuts, try substituting panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs, or even crushed pork rinds for a different but equally delicious crispy coating. Each will give a slightly different texture and flavor profile.
Final Thoughts
This Crispy Fried Zucchini recipe transforms an ordinary vegetable into an extraordinary treat that’s sure to become a staple in your cooking repertoire. Whether you’re dealing with a bumper crop from your garden or just looking for a tasty way to enjoy more veggies, these golden, crispy rounds deliver huge flavor with minimal effort. The perfect balance of tender zucchini and seasoned crispy coating makes these irresistible to everyone at the table. Give them a try tonight – I promise your family will be asking for them again and again!
Print
Crispy Fried Zucchini Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Discover an easy way to turn zucchini into a crispy, golden treat. This fried zucchini recipe is perfect as a tasty appetizer or snack. The combination of almond flour, parmesan, and spices creates a delicious breading for zucchini slices, fried to perfection in minutes. Whether you’re serving it as a starter or enjoying it on its own, these crispy zucchini slices will quickly become a favorite!
Ingredients
For the Zucchini:
- 4 medium Zucchini (cut into 1/4-inch thick slices)
For the Breading:
- 2 large Eggs (whisked)
- 2/3 cup Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour
- 2/3 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 3/4 tsp Sea salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
For Frying:
- 2 tbsp Avocado oil (plus more as needed)
Instructions
- Prepare the Breading Mixture
In two separate bowls, prepare your components. Fill one bowl with the whisked eggs, and the second bowl with a mixture of almond flour, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Get a third, smaller bowl and add enough of the breading mixture to cover the bottom in a thick layer. - Bread the Zucchini Slices
Dip each zucchini slice into the whisked egg, letting any excess egg drip off. Place the slice in the third bowl with a light layer of the breading mixture. Sprinkle additional breading mixture over the top to fully coat the slice, pressing lightly. Flip the slice and repeat on the other side. Use one hand for coating with the egg and the other for the breading to prevent clumping. Continue this process, replenishing the third bowl with breading from the second bowl as needed. - Fry the Zucchini
Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat. Arrange zucchini slices in the pan in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch one another. Cover the skillet with a lid and fry the slices for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. - Drain and Repeat
Once cooked, transfer the fried zucchini to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Repeat the frying process with the remaining zucchini slices, adding more oil to the pan as needed to prevent sticking. - Serve and Enjoy
Serve the crispy fried zucchini warm as a delightful appetizer or snack.
Notes
- For best results, work in small batches when breading to keep the dry mixture from getting too wet.
- Using a lid while frying helps the zucchini cook evenly without burning the breading.
- Serve with marinara, ranch dressing, or other dips for an extra burst of flavor.
- This recipe works great in an air fryer as well—preheat to 375°F (190°C), arrange breaded zucchini in a single layer, and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Slices from 1/2 zucchini
- Calories: 125
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
