Oven Baked Zucchini Fries
Learn how to make my irresistible Oven Baked Zucchini Fries with this easy recipe. It’s a great alternative to traditional French fries and perfect for using up extra zucchini!
I’m really not a wasteful person. I really try to plan ahead so that I don’t buy more than we will use within a reasonable time. However, for some reason, I go absolutely nuts in my store’s produce department. And, for some reason, I always buy too much zucchini. I did it again last weekend.
So I had this zucchini sitting in my fridge, and I knew I needed to do something with it, but I couldn’t face another forkful of it sauteed. Then I thought, “Well, why not fry it? Anything fried is good, right?” Yes, if you don’t mind the grease everywhere and the smell for the next three days.
Hmmm. What to do? That’s when it came to me – oven fries!!!
I actually made this up on the spot, and it was really tasty! You can serve these zucchini fries as a side dish, a party appetizer, or even as a light meal when paired with a dipping sauce. They’re a great way to get kids (and picky adults) to eat more vegetables without any fuss.
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: Oven
Total Time: 30 Minutes
Servings: 4
Primary Ingredient(s): Zucchini, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese
Skill Level: Easy
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- It’s a good way to use up extra zucchini.
- The Parmesan cheese and bread crumb coating is delicious!
- It can be customized with your choice of seasonings.
Ingredient Notes
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- Fresh zucchini — You’ll want to choose firm, medium-sized zucchini for best results. You could, in theory, use whole, tiny baby zucchini if you grow a large garden and have an abundance, but do avoid really large, overgrown zucchini, which can be a bit too tough.
- Bread crumbs — Purchased, seasoned bread crumbs add extra flavor but plain work, too. You can also quickly make some fresh bread crumbs from a bit of leftover baguette, Italian bread, or any kind of bread you have on hand.
- Parmesan cheese — Freshly grated Parmesan is very flavorful but can be a little expensive. The stuff in the green shaker box is just fine for this.
- Eggs and cream (or half and half, or milk) — Dipping the zucchini sticks in this combination helps the breadcrumb and Parmesan coating stick better.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Equipment I Use
- Baking sheet — A large, rimmed baking sheet gives the zucchini plenty of space between the sticks so that they cook evenly.
- Parchment paper — It prevents sticking and makes cleaning up really easy. If you don’t have parchment on hand, just use some aluminum foil or leave it off entirely. It will only mean a bit of extra washing up at the end.
- Sharp knife — Of course, you’ll need one to prep the zucchini.
- Mixing bowl and shallow pan or dish — You’ll need a bowl for the egg-milk mixture and a pan for the breadcrumb coating.
How to Make Zucchini Fries
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Prepare a baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Spray the parchment or foil lightly with cooking spray and set it aside.
- Wash and dry the zucchini. Cut a small slice off each end. Cut zucchini into french fry shapes.
- Combine the eggs and cream (or half-and-half, or milk) in a large bowl. Use a fork to mix until thoroughly combined.
- In a shallow pan, combine the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Put the prepared zucchini sticks into the egg and milk mixture and toss well to coat.
- Working in small batches, place the zucchini into the breadcrumb mixture and toss until well coated.
- Place the coated zucchini fries on the pan leaving space in between each one. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray.
- Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. About halfway through cooking, remove the pan from the oven and apply additional cooking spray.
My Recipe Tips
- If the fries seem to be browning too fast, lower the oven temperature slightly.
- For even cooking, flip the fries halfway through baking.
- Don’t skip the cooking spray. Lightly spraying with cooking oil helps achieve a golden-brown color and nice texture.
- To ensure even cooking, cut the sticks to a consistent size, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
- Leave space between each fry on the baking sheet. Overcrowding can lead to steaming.
- Substitute half of the regular breadcrumbs with panko breadcrumbs for a crispier coating.
- In the last 1-2 minutes of baking, switch the oven to broil to get a beautifully browned outside. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Cool the fries on the baking sheet for a few minutes after removing them from the oven.
Possible Recipe Variations
- For spicy zucchini fries, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the coating mixture.
- Mix 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder into the breadcrumb mixture to make garlic Parmesan zucchini fries.
- If you need a gluten-free option, use gluten-free bread crumbs or crushed cornflakes for the coating.
How I Serve Baked Zucchini Fries
- For a great game day spread, serve with buffalo chicken dip, a veggie platter, and sliders.
- Pair with grilled chicken breast and a mixed green salad for a light summer dinner.
- For a great Italian-inspired meal, serve with baked eggplant parmesan and a Caesar salad.
How I Store the Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 5-10 minutes until warmed through. Be aware that storing and reheating will result in a softer product.
Questions About Baked Zucchini Fries
For making ahead, I’d suggest preparing the recipe up to the coating step and refrigerating for a few hours before baking. They’re best served hot and fresh from the oven.
Try marinara sauce, ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or tzatziki with these!
Yes! This coating method works well with yellow squash, eggplant, green beans, or even sweet potato sticks.
Questions? I’m happy to help!
If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Recipe
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Oven Baked Zucchini Fries
Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchini
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon cream (or half-and-half, or milk)
- 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Prepare a baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Spray the parchment or foil lightly with cooking spray and set it aside.
- Wash and dry the zucchini. Cut a small slice off each end. Cut zucchini into french fry shapes.
- Combine the eggs and cream (or half-and-half, or milk) in a large bowl. Use a fork to mix until thoroughly combined.
- In a shallow pan, combine the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Put the prepared zucchini sticks into the egg and milk mixture and toss well to coat.
- Working in small batches, place the zucchini into the breadcrumb mixture and toss until well coated.
- Place the coated zucchini fries on the pan leaving space in between each one. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray.
- Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. About halfway through cooking, remove the pan from the oven and apply additional cooking spray.
Notes
- To make ahead, prepare the recipe up to the coating step and refrigerate for a few hours before baking. They’re best served hot and fresh from the oven.
- For dipping, try marinara sauce, ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or tzatziki with these.
- This coating method also works well with yellow squash, eggplant, green beans, or even sweet potato sticks.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
— This post was originally published on May 5, 2009. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.
sounds strange, but even i end up buying lots of zucchini n struggle to finish it off ……….this looks easy n yum……baked fries are always good.
Zucchini fried = yum!! Glad that these are baked rather than fried.