Oven-Fried Zucchini

Written by
Stephanie Gallagher
Stephanie Gallagher is a journalist and food writer who has authored multiple cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Stephanie Gallagher
Updated 03/22/21
Oven-fried zucchini

The Spruce
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 18 mins
Total: 33 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
130 Calories
8g Fat
7g Carbs
7g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 130
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 11%
Saturated Fat 2g 12%
Cholesterol 117mg 39%
Sodium 338mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Protein 7g
Calcium 96mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This easy oven-fried zucchini recipe is a delicious way to enjoy this summertime vegetable. Zucchini is sliced into rounds, breaded in a Parmesan-breadcrumb coating, and "fried" in the oven until crispy, without the stovetop mess or the higher calorie count.

Oven-fried zucchini is a great side dish with everything from chicken to fish to burgers; it's also a terrific appetizer as is, or with ranch, tzatziki, or another dip on the side.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
  • 4 medium zucchinis
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 425 F. 

    Ingredients for oven fried zucchini
    The Spruce

  2. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over a baking sheet to evenly coat. Set aside.

    Drizzle olive oil
    The Spruce 

  3. Wash, trim, and slice the zucchini into 1/2-inch-thick rounds.

    Wash and slice zucchini
    The Spruce

  4. Beat the egg in a small bowl.

    Beat eggs
    The Spruce

  5. Spread the breadcrumbs out in a shallow dish. Stir the Parmesan cheese, salt, basil, and pepper into the breadcrumbs.

    Adding Parmesan cheese, salt, basil, and pepper into breadcrumbs
    The Spruce

  6. Dip 5 to 6 zucchini slices into the beaten egg.

    Slices of zucchini dipped in eggs
    The Spruce

  7. Transfer to the breadcrumb mixture, pressing on both sides to coat.

    Coating zucchini in breadcrumbs
    The Spruce

  8. Shake off excess and place the coated rounds on the prepared baking sheet.

    Zucchini on a baking sheet
    The Spruce 

  9. Repeat with the remaining zucchini slices.

    Repeat dipping zucchini slices in egg
    The Spruce 

  10. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the zucchini.

    Oil drizzled over zucchini slices on baking sheet
    The Spruce 

  11. Bake for 8 minutes. Using tongs, turn the zucchini so the other side gets crispy. Bake another 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown. Allow the zucchini to cool on the pan for 2 minutes.

    Bake zucchini
    The Spruce

  12. Serve hot as a side dish or appetizer and enjoy.

    Baked zucchini
    The Spruce

Tips

  • To keep oven-fried zucchini warm if serving them later, place the baking sheet in a 200 F oven.
  • To improve the crispiness, instead of baking breaded zucchini directly on a baking sheet, arrange them on a wire rack that has been lightly coated with cooking spray and placed on a baking pan to catch any drips. Give the tops of the zucchini rounds a light mist with cooking spray and bake as directed.
  • If you are concerned the zucchini will come out soggy, you can salt the rounds beforehand to extract some of their moisture. Place the sliced zucchini on a paper-towel-lined plate and salt both sides. Let sit for a few minutes and then blot the zucchini dry before proceeding with the breading process.

Is Oven-Fried Zucchini Healthy?

Cooking up some crispy zucchini rounds in the oven instead of frying in a pot of oil means this vegetable dish has fewer calories and fat. Zucchini is also a more nutritious choice than french fries, for example, as they are high in fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidants.