Crispy Oven-Baked Zucchini Fries (Printable version)
Oven-baked zucchini sticks with a crispy, golden breadcrumb coating. A healthy, flavorful snack.
# List of ingredients:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 medium zucchini
→ Breading
02 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ For Serving
10 - Marinara sauce or ranch dressing (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Set oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
02 - Rinse and dry the zucchini, trim ends, then slice into sticks about 1/2 inch thick.
03 - Place flour in a shallow bowl, beat eggs in a second bowl, and combine panko, Parmesan, herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a third bowl.
04 - Dredge each zucchini stick in flour, shake off excess, dip into eggs, then press into breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly.
05 - Place coated zucchini in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once halfway until golden and crisp.
06 - Serve the zucchini fries hot alongside preferred dipping sauce.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They're genuinely crispy on the outside and tender inside—not soggy, not rubbery, just right.
- A vegetable that actually disappears from the plate, even if your usual skeptics are watching.
- Takes barely 40 minutes from start to finish, and most of that is just the oven doing the work.
02 -
- Moisture is the enemy—if your zucchini isn't completely dry before coating, steam will make them soggy no matter how crispy your breading gets.
- A light spray of cooking oil on top before baking makes a real difference in crispiness; it's the trick that turns good fries into ones people fight over.
03 -
- For maximum crispiness, pat the zucchini sticks dry multiple times—this is the single most important step that separates crispy from mediocre.
- Don't skip the parchment paper; it's the difference between fries that slip around and ones that brown evenly on both sides.