Description
Fried zucchini is a nostalgic snack-bar staple. It’s a great way to eat more garden veggies! Serve it as a crispy appetizer or a tasty side. Make this easy recipe in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini (about 1 1/2 lbs), sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch thick medallions
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- Corn oil, for frying
- Coarse salt, for garnishing
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnishing
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Dipping Sauce: Ranch Dressing
Instructions
Coat the Zucchini Slices
RECIPE PREP: Rinse the zucchini. Pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen cloth. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Pull out 3 shallow bowls. Add flour to the first bowl. Whisk eggs in the second bowl. In the third bowl, mix together bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper.
- Set up an assembly line of ingredients: sliced zucchini, bowl of flour, bowl of whisked eggs, bowl of seasoned bread crumbs, and prepared baking tray.
- Coat a piece of zucchini in flour. Dip it in egg. Dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat with remaining slices. As you work, place the coated pieces on the prepared baking tray.
- Put the tray in the freezer for 30 minutes, or refrigerate 1 for one hour. This step is a MUST for the breading to stick and not fall off during frying!
Deep Fry the Zucchini
RECIPE PREP: Preheat oven to 200°F. Line a baking tray with paper towels. Place an oven-proof wire rack over the tray. This is the draining station for freshly-fried zucchini.
- Add 1/2 inch oil to a heavy skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add a pinch of flour to the pan. If the flour sizzles, the oil is ready for frying.
- Add a few pieces of zucchini to the pan. We want to prevent overcrowding. There should be enough room for the pieces to freely float about in the oil as they cook.
- When bottoms are golden and crisp, flip the pieces over. Total cooking time is 1 to 2 minutes. When working with a new batch, adjust the heat up or down as needed. The oil should gently bubble without smoking or burning the fried zucchini. Between batches, use a metal strainer to remove pieces of coating left behind in the oil.
- Transfer deep fried zucchini to the wire rack over the prepared baking tray. The oil will drain down. Do not use paper towels to directly blot off excess oil from the pieces, or the breading will stick to it.
- Arrange the fried zucchini on a platter. Garnish with a sprinkling of coarse salt, parmesan cheese and freshly-chopped parsley. Serve with juicy lemon wedges and ranch dressing for dipping.
Notes
Should I peel the zucchini? No, keep the skin on! It’s edible and will help the deep fried zucchini slices keep their shape. Additionally, the skin of the zucchini offers nutritional benefits.
DIY seasoned bread crumbs: If you don’t have a container of seasoned bread crumbs in the pantry, you can make them at home. Combine the following: 2 cups dry plain bread crumbs, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper.
How to keep fried zucchini warm: Remove paper towels from baking tray with rack. Put tray with rack in the preheated 200°F oven to keep appetizer warm until serving.
Oven Fried Zucchini: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Slice zucchini lengthwise into 3-inch sticks. Coat with breading, per this recipe. Arrange zucchini fries in a single layer on the baking tray. Spritz zucchini with cooking spray. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
Air Fried Zucchini: Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Slice zucchini lengthwise into 3-inch sticks. Coat with breading, per this recipe. Arrange zucchini in a single layer. Cook the zucchini fries for 8 minutes, or until crisp and golden blonde.
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 10 Minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American