Got zucchini? These Healthy Zucchini Fries are just as yummy and crisp as the restaurant version, minus all those pesky calories because this healthy appetizer is baked, not fried.
Our friend Ken dropped off some zucchini from his garden the other day…remember Ken from my Grilled Shishito Peppers post? I was pretty excited since I don’t have a garden this year, and even though Ken can’t stomach one more bite of zucchini, I was thrilled to get them.
First thing I did was make a batch of Healthy Zucchini Fries. I could eat these things all day long, so it’s lucky they aren’t deep fried. But they are crunchy, and lots of fun to dip.
My favorite Italian restaurant serves the deep fried version with marinara sauce, so I thought, in keeping with the lightened up theme, I’d go for a fresh tomato sauce, with a zippy ‘lemonnaise‘ alternate. These fries are so good I don’t think it much matters what you dip them into, but I’m partial to the lemonnaise.
After you slice the zucchini into sticks, it’s a simple 3 bowl dipping process, one bowl for flour, one for beaten eggs (or buttermilk if you have it) and the last one for seasoned panko bread crumbs. Panko are the extra crispy Japanese kind, you’ll find them right next to the regular crumbs in your supermarket. Panko help give these Healthy Zucchini Fries the ‘deep fried’ crunch we all crave.
It’s a good idea to bake these on a cooling rack that is placed over a baking sheet, that way air can circulate all around the sticks as they bake, and crisp them better. Spray it first with cooking spray.
Healthy Zucchini Fries
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup buttermilk , or 2 well beaten eggs
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs, I used whole wheat
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp minced fresh rosemary, or 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- marinara sauce , for dipping
garnish
lemonnaise
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp Greek yogurt
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice, (1/2 lemon)
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Set oven to 425°F.
- Set a cooling rack over a baking tray and spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Slice the zucchini into sticks.
- Set out three small bowls. Put the flour in one. Put the buttermilk or beaten eggs into another, and put the breadcrumbs, cheese, salt and herbs into the third.
- Coat the zucchini in flour first, then immerse into the liquid mixture, making sure to completely wet it. Then coat it with the breadcrumbs, pressing them on to completely coat each stick. Place the sticks on the rack.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes until crisp and golden.
- Eat right away garnished with parsley, and serve with tomato or creamy lemon dip.
- To make the lemonnaise whisk the ingredients together until smooth.
Notes
- These are best eaten hot from the oven. If you have leftovers and are desperate, you can wrap loosely in foil and heat in a 300F oven, or if you are super desperate, microwave in a single layer, very briefly, start with 20 seconds, but they won't be very crisp.
- I used whole wheat panko because that's what I had in the cupboard, and I liked the little deeper color it gives these fries. Regular will work just fine.
Nutrition
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I love zucchini fries!!! Yours look so good! I love all the herbs and flavors on them!
Yummy! Can’t wait to make these as soon as my garden starts producing! It won’t be long now. Love how crunchy they look.
That “lemonaise” sounds incredible, perfect for dipping anything “fried”. I love baking my fried foods too, not just because it’s a little healthier but it’s not as messy!
The lemonnaise is EVERYTHING Lauren 😉
I’ve never made zucchini fries and now I must! Your photos are gorgeous! Thanks for the inspiration!
I just happen to have a few zucchini in my refrigerator so think I may just make these for lunch! They look delicious!
These look delicious and I love the fact that they are baked not fried. I am bookmarking to try once I have some zucchini.
So we have planted 10 zucchini plants in the garden this year. I think this fries have gone on the list for what to make first.
Definitely!
I just love how you’ve lightened these up, they look just as crispy and golden as the original version!
I’ve never had zucchini fries but when our plants mature – this is what I’m going to make first! They sound wonderful and look delicious. Your photos are mouthwatering and beautiful!!!!
You’ve been missing out, Tricia!
It has been years since I last made some zucchini fries…yours looks absolutely delicious. Thanks for sharing, Sue.