Description
Crispy, cheesy, and herby zucchini fries baked to golden perfection—an easy, guilt-free snack or side dish that’s crunchy on the outside and tender inside. Perfect for game day, family dinners, or sneaking extra veggies into your meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium zucchini (about 1 lb), ends trimmed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or a mix of basil, oregano, and thyme)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray or olive oil (for brushing or misting)
- Optional dipping sauces: marinara sauce, ranch dressing, garlic aioli
Instructions
- Wash and dry zucchini. Trim ends, then slice each zucchini lengthwise into sticks about 1/2-inch thick and 3-4 inches long.
- In a shallow bowl, beat eggs until smooth. In a separate bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If using a wire rack, place it on the baking sheet and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Dip each zucchini stick in the egg wash (let excess drip off), then roll in the parmesan-breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly so the coating sticks.
- Arrange coated fries on the prepared baking sheet or wire rack, leaving space between each fry.
- Lightly mist fries with cooking spray or brush with olive oil.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer fries to a plate and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Pat zucchini dry before coating for maximum crispiness. Use panko for best crunch. For gluten-free, use GF panko. For vegan, substitute aquafaba for eggs and nutritional yeast for parmesan. Fries are best served hot; leftovers can be reheated in the oven. Avoid overcrowding the pan for even browning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22-25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the batch (approximately 1 cup fries)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
Keywords: zucchini fries, baked fries, parmesan, healthy snack, crispy, oven, gluten-free option, vegetarian, easy recipe, game day, side dish