Baked Zucchini Sticks are crispy crunch favorites that even kids love to snack on!
Looking for a healthy way to eat those crispy, fast-food favorites? Switch out the carb-heavy French fries for these super crunchy, tender baked zucchini sticks! Breaded and oven-baked, this recipe can also be a paleo or keto winner. Plus it’s a great way to get kids to eat their veggies. Since these are baked not fried, it makes them that much healthier than the deep fried variety, but without sacrificing any of the flavor or crunch.
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Best Baked Zucchini Sticks
- Get that deep-fried exterior with fewer calories, in a savory Italian and parmesan cheese coating, zucchini sticks are the fun dippable snack that even the kids will love!
- Oven-baked or air-fried, zucchini sticks are a guilt-free snack or party app that everyone will reach for again and again!
- Try some super delish dips, sauces, like Creamy Dill Dressing or Everything Bagel Dip. Or mix up a platter of other tasty goodies like these Air Fryer Green Beans, Italian Meatballs, and some Jalapeno Poppers.
Ingredients and Variations
ZUCCHINI: Put those end-of-summer zukes to good use! No need to peel them! Just cut them in equal sizes so they cook at the same rate. This same breading recipe and method can also be used for other veggies like sweet potatoes, broccoli or cauliflower florets, or even mushrooms!
BREADING: Panko breadcrumbs always deliver the best crust coating for everything from veggies, to meats, and fish! Get that deep-fried style coating without the excess oil! Use a store-bought Italian-style seasoning mix or DIY this Italian Dressing Mix. Try this Jamaican Jerk Seasoning, for a super flavorful version. For a truly keto and gluten-free breading use almond in place of regular flour in the coating and crushed pork rinds for the Panko. The result is the same but super low-carb!
How to Make Baked Zucchini Sticks
The breading process has just two easy steps that take minutes:
- Coat zucchini pieces in a zippered bag with the flour.
- Dip into the egg mixture, and then press into the prepared breadcrumbs.
- Cook per recipe below.
In the Oven: Place prepared pieces in a grease baking sheet and bake until they are crispy on both sides, turning them over halfway through.
In an Air Fryer: Spray pieces with pan release and place the prepared pieces in a single layer in the air fryer. Cook 10 minutes until the zucchini sticks are golden brown. Shake the basket or the pieces over until they’re fully cooked.
Tips & Tricks
- For easy clean-up, shake zucchini sticks in a zippered bag with the flour in it.
- Avoid crowding the baking sheet or the air fryer basket so the hot air can circulate all around the food.
How to Store
Keep leftover zucchini sticks in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them under the broiler or in the air fryer before serving.
More Great Vegetable Side Dishes
- Oven Roasted Asparagus – simple and lightly seasoned
- Air Fryer Roasted Cauliflower – low carb and keto
- Oven Roasted Radishes – different and easy to make
- Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe – just 5 minutes to prep!
- Air Fryer Corn Ribs – fun and easy to make.
Baked Zucchini Sticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-2 large zucchini cut into ½-¾” sticks (about 1 pound)
- ½ cup flour
- 1 egg beaten (may need an additional egg)
- 1 Tablespoon milk optional
- olive oil or cooking spray, to spray zucchini before baking
Breading Mixture:
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs or Italian bread crumbs
- ½ cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 tsp Italian dressing mix or italian seasoning (omit if using Italian bread crumbs)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp pepper or to taste
- ¼ tsp kosher salt or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking tray with parchment
- Add flour to a small bowl, and in a separate small bowl, add beaten egg, mixing in milk if using.
- In a third bowl, combine breading mixture ingredients.
- Toss zucchini in the flour and shake excess.
- Dip in egg until coated. Dredge in breading mixture, lightly pressing mixture onto zucchini, until well coated.
- Arrange on baking tray in a single layer, leaving space between each zucchini stick. Spray lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking for doneness after 20 minutes. Flip and spray again after 15 minutes for most even browning.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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