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Zucchini Sticks Recipe (Baked, Air Fryer or Fry)
Breaded zucchini sticks are quick, crispy and a delicious appetizer!
These zucchini sticks are a perfect side dish or snack that can be prepared in a few simple steps, and with simple ingredients that you often already have at home.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
There’s nothing more comforting and delicious than a dish like this – a healthier alternatives to the classic french fries.
An easy recipe that you will want to make over and over again.
These crispy breaded zucchini sticks have only one flaw – they finish quickly!
Ingredients
Zucchini
I chose medium-sized zucchini.
When choosing zucchini, we must keep in mind the following: color, conformation and consistency.
It’s an easy trick, but one that allows us to always buy the best zucchini:
- Color: it should be deep green and uniform, with no darker spots.
- The ends of the zucchini should be brownish or light green, but not dark brown (a sign that the vegetable is rotting).
- Conformation: zucchini should be of medium length. Some zucchini can be too large, although apparently interesting, have a too watery pulp and can therefore be bitter.
- Consistency: the turgidity of the zucchini is a reference parameter for the freshness of the product.
- To the touch it must be hard, but when cut it must yield without excessive force.
Eggs
They will be used to create the egg mixture that adheres the breadcrumbs to the zucchini sticks.
Breadcrumbs
I used homemade breadcrumbs made from old bread, although supermarket breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs are also fine
Parmesan cheese
I personally love the great flavor that Parmesan cheese gives to these zucchini sticks. Parmesan cheese and zucchini are a perfect pair that work really well together.
Spices
I used classic salt and black pepper with the addition of parsley, but in this recipe, you can indulge in combinations such as garlic powder and Italian seasoning, which are also great combinations.
How To Make Zucchini Sticks
Step 1
Prepare all the ingredients. In a shallow bowl prepare the breadcrumbs with the Parmesan cheese and spices; in another small bowl beat the eggs.
Cut the ends of the zucchini halves vertically, then cut each half in the middle and from each half make two or three ½-inch sticks (depends on the size of the zucchini).
Step 2
Bread the zucchini strips by first dipping them in egg and then in breadcrumb mixture, making sure the breadcrumbs stick well to the zucchini.
Step 3
Cook the zucchini.
This recipe can be cooked 3 different ways by baking, air frying or frying in oil.
Below you will find all 3 cooking methods.
How Do You Cut Zucchini Sticks? (video)
Tips For Crispy Zucchini Sticks
- For a super crispy result, don’t use overly large zucchini; smaller ones contain less water and are better suited for this recipe.
- Cut the zucchini all the same size to ensure even cooking.
- For a perfect result make sure they are well dried before breading them. After cutting them into sticks, pat them dry with a bit of paper towel.
- To make the breadcrumbs adhere even better to the zucchini, you can dip the zucchini first in flour then in egg and breadcrumbs.
Substitutes
Make them gluten-free
Replace the flour and the breadcrumbs with a gluten-free product.
Vegan Zucchini stick
Prepare a batter with purpose flour and water, to the crumbs add nutritional yeast.
Then proceed as indicated in the recipe.
What To Serve With Zucchini Sticks
I love accompanying zucchini sticks with a Parsley Mayo Sauce. Making it is really easy.
To make it you need mayonnaise, a little lemon juice and zest, minced garlic and black pepper and chopped up parsley.
Mix everything together and this delicious sauce is ready.
Another alternative is to serve these delicious zucchini with a side of marinara sauce or ranch dressing.
FAQ’s
No!
There’s no need to peel zucchini.
In fact, the skin is a big source of zucchini nutrition, so you definitely want to leave the skin on.
Yes.
After breading the zucchini sticks, place them in a baking dish well spaced, and place them in the freezer, let them freeze, and then you can tasfer them in a frezzer bag. You can cook them from frozen, as there is no need to defrost them.
Why is zucchini a Superfood?
Zucchini, besides being good vegetables.
Thanks to their properties, their consumption brings considerable benefits to our body.
Zucchini is among the lowest calorie vegetables in existence.
Breaded Zucchini Sticks: How To Prepare Step By Step
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Breaded Zucchini Sticks
Ingredients
- 3 Zucchini
- 2 Eggs
- 1 cup Breadcrums
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- A handful of parsley
- Salt & Pepper to flavor
Instructions
- First, let's start by making the breadcrumbs. In a bowl, place the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, a pinch of salt and black pepper and combine the ingredients well with each other.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs.
- Set aside the eggs and the breadcrumbs and move on to the zucchini.
- First wash the zucchini and remove the two ends.
- Cut zucchini in half vertically, then cut each half down the middle and of each half will make two or three sticks, depending on how big the zucchini is. (See video below).
- Place the zucchini sticks in paper towels to remove any excess water.
Breading the zucchini sticks:
- Dip each stick first in the egg and then in the breadcrumb mix, pressing to make the breading stick well.
- Place the zucchini sticks in a tray, make sure they do not touch each other.
- Heat plenty of oil in a high-sided frying pan and fry the zucchini until golden brown.
- Place the zucchini sticks on a tray covered with paper towels and serve immediately.
- Enjoy!
Air Fryer Zucchini Sticks
Preheat the air fryer to 400 F degrees (200°C). Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray.- Arrange the zucchini fries in the basket in a single layer, making sure they aren’t touching.
- Cook until golden brown and crispy, about 10 minutes. Turn them halfway through cooking.
Baked Zucchini Sticks
- Place the breaded zucchini sticks in a baking dish with parchment paper making sure that they do not touch each other, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil or use a cooking spray
- and bake in a preheated oven at 400 F degrees for about 15/20 minutes until golden brown.
- Perfect cooking method If you have to make a big batch.
Notes
How Store Breaded Zucchini Sticks
If you have leftover zucchini sticks, store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Reheating: Heat them in an oven (370 F degrees for 5/6min) or in an air fryer (350 F degrees for 3/4 minutes).
Freezing: My advice is to freeze it uncooked for up to 3 months.
There is no need to defrost them for cooking.
Enjoy!
Other favorite zucchini recipes:
- Frittata Recipe With Zucchini & Fresh Tomatoes That you Will Love
- Spaghetti With Zucchini: A Simple Dish Full Of Taste
- Authentic Pasta With Zucchini, Bacon & Tomato Sauce: Italian Recipe
- Zucchini In Air Fryer: The Best Recipe For Roasted Zucchini
This is my technique. Dip the raw sticks in lemon juice. Then coat with flour > egg wash > breadcrumbs > EVOO. Bake @ 350* F. for 25 minutes. My dipping sauce is similar to yours; i.e. “Ranch”. Variety is the spice of life.
Thank you Angelo for your technique. I will give a try 🙂
I love courgettes and often have them fried but never have I thought to coat them. These look delicious and I’m going to pin this recipe as I know I’ll end up with a glut of allotment courgettes again this year.
Thank you Rebecca 🙂 Here in South Africa where I am at the moment, they are already in season 🙂
I love breaded courgette. And these look so super-crisp and delicious. We still have a few months before courgette come into season here… But I may just have to head to the supermarket with such temptation. x
Thank you Kate, fortunately where I am, they are in season right now.
delicious and super smart idea
I served these as a side dish with chicken and my family loved it! This is such a great recipe
I have been looking for a zucchini stick recipe for some time. This was perfect
So delicious!
I love zucchini so much and this is just another delicious way to eat them.
Perfect zucchini sticks. I like with breaded version
This is addictive! My kids loved it, too!
I love how quick and easy this is!
I love these as an appetizer when we’re trying to be ‘healthier’. Thank you for the air fryer instructions! I’m still getting used to it, but it beats the mess of using oil!
This has been a go to recipe. It is a delicious alternative to mozzarella sticks and so delicious.
These breaded zucchini sticks are brilliant, they taste amazing with Parmesan in the coating, thank you.
I love zucchini in any form. These were super delicious and so easy to make. Thanks for the recipe!
How cool is this recipe? I had a bunch of zucchinis sitting in my kitchen and this is the perfect way to prepare them.
Is my favorite way to prepare zucchini! 🙂
I was really hoping that this would work. It didn’t. The bread crumbs just would not stick to the zucchini. I even tried dipping them in the egg again and back in the bread crumbs. Then the bread crumbs got wet from the egg and really wouldn’t stick. I followed your directions exactly. I dried the zucchini with paper towels. But it came out the same as every other time I tried to make zucchini sticks. I use basically the same method when I make eggplant, the crumbs stick to them. I finally got frustrated and grated the remaining zucchini into the egg mixture and made patties and put them in the oven. Not what I wanted, but at least nothing was wasted. As with most people who grow zucchini, I have way more than I need. I really wanted this to work.