Description
Crispy baked parmesan zucchini fries offer a healthier alternative to traditional potato versions. Mediterranean-inspired seasonings elevate this simple side dish, creating a delightful snack you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium zucchini
- ½ cup (120 ml) breadcrumbs (Panko)
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Cooking spray
- Marinara sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Garlic aioli
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 425F (220C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly spraying with cooking spray to prevent adherence.
- Coating Creation: Blend breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish, creating a robust and aromatic seasoning mixture.
- Breading Process: Dunk zucchini strips into whisked eggs, ensuring complete egg coverage, then meticulously coat each piece with the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to achieve maximum adherence and flavor infusion.
- Baking Technique: Arrange the coated zucchini in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining spacing for optimal crispiness. Lightly mist with additional cooking spray to encourage a golden, crunchy exterior.
- Roasting and Transformation: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the zucchini fries halfway through to ensure uniform browning and a consistent, crisp texture throughout.
- Serving Preparation: Extract from the oven and allow a brief resting period, permitting the coating to solidify and maintain its delectable crunchiness before presenting to eager diners.
Notes
- Maximize Coating Adherence: Pat zucchini strips completely dry before coating to prevent soggy results and ensure crisp, even breading that sticks perfectly.
- Select Zucchini Wisely: Choose medium-sized, firm zucchini with minimal seeds for the best texture and most consistent fry-like strips that won’t become mushy during baking.
- Prevent Moisture Buildup: Space zucchini fries slightly apart on the baking sheet to allow hot air circulation, which prevents steaming and guarantees a crunchy exterior.
- Customize Seasoning Flexibility: Experiment with alternative herbs like dried thyme or Italian seasoning to personalize the flavor profile while maintaining the classic crispy coating technique.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg