This fried zucchini is zucchini sticks coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese, then deep fried to golden brown perfection. Zucchini fries are the perfect side dish or party snack to feed a crowd!
There’s just something about fried food that makes it so delicious! When I’m looking to indulge a bit, I whip up a batch of fried ravioli, cream cheese wontons or this amazing fried zucchini.
I’ve been ordering fried zucchini in restaurants for as long as I can remember. That crispy coated squash is just addictive, especially when served with a side of marinara sauce! This homemade version of the restaurant classic is surprisingly easy to make at home, and it’s always a hit.
Make a party platter with some other appetizer recipes like fried mushrooms, baked chicken wings and onion rings!
Table of Contents
Fried Zucchini Ingredients
To make fried zucchini you will need zucchini, Italian breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, 2 eggs, oil and chopped parsley. You may want marinara sauce for dipping.
How Do You Make Fried Zucchini?
The first step to this fried zucchini recipe is to cut some zucchini squash into sticks. Mix together Italian breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Crack two eggs in another bowl and beat them. Dip a zucchini stick in the bowl with the eggs to coat it. Next dredge the egg coated zucchini in the breadcrumbs and coat it in the breadcrumb mixture. Set it on a baking sheet in a single layer. Repeat with the rest of your zucchini sticks. Cook the zucchini in hot oil until crispy and golden brown. Serve your zucchini fries with a sprinkling of parsley and some sauce for dipping!
Tips For The Perfect Fried Zucchini
- I liked to cut my zucchini in sticks because I find it easier to eat that way, but you can cut your zucchini into round coins if you prefer.
- Choose medium zucchini that you can cut into quarters.
- I use a mixture of Italian breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs for the best coating. If you don’t have Italian style breadcrumbs on hand, you can use regular breadcrumbs and add 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning.
- These zucchini sticks cook quickly, so watch them carefully in the oil!
- Fried zucchini is best served fresh from the fryer. I wouldn’t recommend trying to make this dish in advance.
- When the zucchini sticks come out of the oil, set them on a paper towel on a plate to drain excess oil.
- Use a long pair of tongs to place your zucchini in the oil and remove it from the oil.
Quick Tip
Use a deep frying thermometer to make sure your oil is at the proper temperature. Your oil should be between 350-375 degrees F.
Recipe FAQs
I personally don’t peel my zucchini before I fry it. The peel helps to hold the zucchini together so that it’s not overly mushy inside the coating. In addition, many of the nutrients are in the peel, so keep it on!
There are a few ways to keep zucchini from getting soggy when frying. First, select fresh, firm zucchini to fry. You don’t want bruised or soft zucchini. Second make sure you fully coat your zucchini in eggs and a breadcrumb coating. Finally, make sure to keep your frying oil between 350 and 375 degrees F so the zucchini cooks without absorbing a lot of oil.
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Flavor Variations
While this recipe is delicious and crispy as written, you can change the recipe to suit your taste.
- Spicy: Add some crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture for a spicy dish.
- Veggies: You can use this same method for other fried veggies such as onions, green beans, broccoli, asparagus spears, mushrooms and summer squash. If you want batter fried veggies check out my fried mushrooms, fried green beans and onion rings
- Dips: Try homemade dips like bacon ranch dip, blue cheese dressing, herb veggie dip or my tangy, easy fry sauce.
Can You Bake Fried Zucchini?
If you prefer to avoid deep frying, you can bake your zucchini in the oven. Bread your zucchini sticks according to the directions, then coat the zucchini with cooking spray and place them on a greased sheet pan. Bake at 425 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Once you try this fried zucchini, you’ll find yourself making it all the time! It’s the perfect game day snack, great for parties or just for a night at home when you’re in the mood for some Italian food.
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Love This Recipe?
Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below and a review in the comments section further down the page.
Fried Zucchini
Ingredients
- 4 zucchini quartered and cut into 3 inch pieces
- 3/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 eggs beaten
- oil for frying
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Place the Italian breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Stir to combine.
- Place the eggs in a second bowl.
- Dip the zucchini sticks in the egg, then roll in the breadcrumb mixture until completely coated.
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep pan to 350 degrees F.
- Fry 6-8 pieces of zucchini at a time for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Repeat with remaining zucchini.
- Place the cooked zucchini on paper towels to drain.
- Sprinkle with parsley, then serve immediately with marinara sauce on the side.
Notes
- I liked to cut my zucchini in sticks because I find it easier to eat that way, but you can cut your zucchini into round coins if you prefer.
- I use a mixture of Italian breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs for the best coating. If you don’t have Italian style breadcrumbs on hand, you can use regular breadcrumbs and add 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning.
- These zucchini sticks cook quickly, so watch them carefully in the oil!
- Use a deep frying thermometer to make sure your oil is at the proper temperature. Your oil should be between 350-375 degrees F.
What type if oil is best? I don’t have a deep fryer so will use a deep pan instead.
I typically use canola oil!
This is our favorite! It’s the only way my kids iwll eat zucchini and they devour it!
This is one of my go-to game day recipes! It’s perfectly fried and turned out so delicious!
My kids are really picky eaters and have never ate zucchini before but even they liked this.
Excellent…I did dredge them in flour first before egg then the breadcrumb/panko/parmesan mix! Served with Ranch dressing made from the Hidden Valley Ranch Package. Best ever!
I’m doubling the recipe next time as my family inhaled them!
I dredged in flour frist then egg then bread crumbs.. helped the coating stick better.. but so yummy thank you
We gobbled these down in 2 minutes! I guess I will need to double the recipe next time!
Have you tried this in an air fryer? Just wondering what settings to use?
I think it could work but I haven’t tried it myself!
I did these last week in my air fryer. I used the temp and time for oven instructions. I found in the comments. They came out awesome!