These crunchy baked zucchini sticks are made with parmesan cheese and a thin coating of flaky panko breadcrumbs adding a crunchy texture. Dip these in pizza sauce for a tasty appetizer or serve as a side dish.
Baked Zucchini Sticks
I often see these baked zucchini sticks described as fries, but I don’t think I could enjoy these as much if I thought the were replacing French fries.
Who else loves French fries, especially when they’re almost over cooked and the ends get super crunchy. That’s the part that I like to nibble on first!
Oh, and any burnt pieces…LOVE! Fries are in a league of their own: shoestring, steak, curly and those basket weave looking ones. All tasty in my opinion, but I don’t eat a lot of fried foods so it’s more of a treat if I make or order French fries at a restaurant.
How to make zucchini fries
This easy recipe is simple, but there is one key element to ensure these zucchini sticks are nice and crunchy.
First, cut the zucchini in the size and shape you want and lay them of a couple of layers of paper towels. Sprinkle salt over the zucchini to release the moisture and let it sit for about an hour, then pat the zucchini dry with clean paper towels.
In three separate shallow bowls add the almond meal to one, the second bowl whisk together the panko, parmesan and Italian seasoning. In the third bowl beat the eggs together.
Roll each zucchini stick in almond meal, then the eggs and finally the panko mix. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes, and then flip the zucchini sticks over and bake an additional 12 minutes.
What to serve with baked zucchini fries
I made these for Alan and me to nosh on. We both had eaten large lunches and didn’t want anything heavy for dinner, but we did want something!
We ended up making a meal out of this and ate the whole batch with pizza sauce!
You might also enjoy these with classic grilled hamburgers or for a all veggie meal try this open faced cauliflower cheddar melt for a complete meal.
To serve as an appetizer, enjoy with your choice of a 3 ingredient cocktail from Take Two Tapas.
Healthy “fries”
If you think you need to entice your kids to eat their zucchini then go ahead and tell them that these are “special” fries!
I bet they’ll eat every one and ask for more!
Crunchy Baked Zucchini Sticks
Ingredients
Instructions
Katerina
So crunchy and so healthy as they are baked in the oven!
Sandra Shaffer
No grease splatter mess when you bake these instead of frying them. Bonus!
Joy @ Joy Love Food
I love zucchini, this sounds like a delicious preparation!
Sandra Shaffer
These zucchini sticks are super delicious and easy to make too!
Diane
Our zucchini harvest is just in and already overwhelming us. We love eating zucchini this way. Love your recipe! they look perfect!
Sandra Shaffer
Thank you, Diane! Zucchini are so good for you and you are so lucky to be able to grab them fresh!
Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets)
Totally excited to try this one…I have finally found gluten free panko 🙂
Sandra Shaffer
Oh, sweet! I haven’t seen GF panko! Glad this recipe can be adapted easily!
Marjie@homeagainjiggetyjig.com/wp
These look delicious. I love Zucchini, and this is such a yummy way to fix it.
Sandra Shaffer
Completely addicting in a delicious way 🙂
Michelle @SimplifyLiveLove
I have a ton of zucchini from my garden. I should try this!
lizzy
LOVE THIS RECIPE!!! I love doing stuff like this on weeknights as a healthy side for dinner, and it changes up the usual veggie recipe, printing!
Norma Chang
Love your use of almond meal instead of flour and baked instead of frying sure makes a healthy dish.
Debra @ Bowl Me Over
They look so crunch and delicious – perfectly cook, pinning!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist
Those look so crunchy for being baked. I must make these.
Heather Johnson
My kiddos and I love zucchini. I will have to try this delicious looking recipe next zucchini season! Yum!