Fried Zucchini (Crispy & Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

Have you ever tried a fried zucchini recipe? This one will have you hooked! I make baked zucchini fries and zucchini chips in the air fryer all the time in the summer, but there’s nothing quite like the crispy texture you get from pan frying zucchini. This method tastes so good, you won’t believe it’s healthy! Fried foods get a bad rap, but this recipe proves you can make them better.

Why You’ll Love This Fried Zucchini Recipe

• Crispy outside with tender inside
• Savory, cheesy taste
• Simple pantry ingredients
• Done in just 20 minutes
• Naturally low carb, gluten-free, and vegetarian
• Perfect as a healthy vegetable side dish, snack, or appetizer

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for pan fried zucchini, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

• Zucchini– Opt for smaller zucchini if you can, as they tend to be more tender and have a sweeter flavor. You can also use yellow squash.
• Egg –Use a room temperature egg for easier coating. An egg substitute would probably work, but I haven’t tried it to confirm.
• Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour – This flour has healthy fats, protein, and fiber, but you could use regular all purpose flour or bread crumbs (either panko breadcrumbs, gluten-free ones, or regular) if it fits your lifestyle.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese – Adds a savory and nutty flavor and enhances the crispy texture.
• Italian Seasoning – Make your own homemade Italian seasoning in just a few minutes, or you can use store-bought.
• Spices – Including paprika, garlic powder, sea salt and black pepper.
• Avocado Oil – I like the neutral flavor, but you can use any heat-safe cooking oil for pan frying zucchini. Olive oil also works great.

How To Make Fried Zucchini

This section shows how to fry zucchini, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

1. Set up the dipping stations. Prepare two bowls: one with eggs, and the other with a mixture of almond flour, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Get a third bowl and place just enough of the flour mixture in it to cover the bottom in a thick layer.
2. Coat the zucchini. Dip each zucchini slice in the egg, then the third small bowl with flour mixture, and then use a spoon to dust more from the second bowl, shaking off the excess (see tips below). Set the breaded slice aside. Repeat and dredge all the slices.

3. Fry zucchini. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Pan fry zucchini in a single layer, without a lid and without touching until golden brown on both sides.
4. Drain. Transfer the zucchini bites to a paper towel over a baking sheet to absorb excess oil. Repeat frying the remaining zucchini.

Is Fried Zucchini Good For You?

Fried foods don’t have to be unhealthy. This fried zucchini recipe is a prime example of a healthy fried snack, but it also makes a healthy side dish. The key is to use a natural, low carb breading and a healthy oil.

Storage Instructions

• Store: If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The zucchini softens when you store it, but you can make it crisp again if you reheat it correctly.
• Reheat: To crisp it up for serving again, you can either fry quickly or reheat in an air fryer if you have one. Since the fried zucchini is already golden brown, you’ll want lower heat to warm it up.
• Freeze: For best results, freeze the zucchini after breading but before frying. To do this, blanch the raw zucchini in boiling water for just a couple of minutes, then transfer to ice water to stop the cooking process. Pat them dry, then follow the fried zucchini recipe as usual to add the breading. Arrange on a parchment paper lined sheet pan and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you are ready to cook, fry from frozen. Or, learn how to freeze zucchini without breading here!

What To Serve With Fried Zucchini

Now that you have mastered the art of creating crispy and flavorful fried zucchini, it’s time to explore the perfect pairings:

• Sauces – Try it as an appetizer and dip in marinara sauce (pictured above), garlic aioli, Greek yogurt (feel free to throw some herbs in there), or ranch dressing.
• Chicken – Serve pan fried zucchini with bacon wrapped chicken breast or lemon garlic chicken, or for a BBQ feast, pair these summer veggies with some crispy grilled chicken thighs.
• Seafood – I love pairing them with grilled halibut or grilled salmon, but if you want a fancy romantic dinner, you can’t go wrong with grilled lobster tail. If it’s too cold or rainy to grill, baked salmon is perfect!

More Easy Zucchini Recipes

Because zucchini is everywhere in the summer, I’m always looking for more ways to use it! Here are some more amazing zucchini recipes for you to try: