Posted September 7, 2023 by: Admin #Kitchen

Fried Zucchini can be known as zucchini crisps, chips, or bites. Regardless of the name, one thing is for sure – they are incredibly delicious. It’s impossible to have just one, especially when you serve them with the irresistible zucchini dipping sauce (which is also very easy to make). Watch the video tutorial below and you’ll start craving them.

During zucchini season, we always have an abundance of zucchini from my Mom’s garden, so we find creative ways to use them. Some of our favorites include Zucchini Fritters and Zucchini Casserole, but this Zucchini Crisps recipe is our kids’ favorite.

Fried Zucchini Recipe

It’s a winner! These fried zucchini chips have a perfectly crunchy outside that seals in all of the fantastic natural juiciness of zucchini. It even stays crunchy after it cools to room temperature.

You’ll love serving these zucchini crisps with the (ridiculously easy to make) garlic aioli. It’s the same sauce we use for Chicken Patties and Shrimp Cakes. You will want to dip all of your fries and Popcorn Chicken into this sauce forever.

You’ll be happy to know that this recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled, but don’t forget to multiply the garlic aioli sauce, or you will be really disappointed when it is gone.

Fried Zucchini Chips Video

Watch Natasha make the best Fried Zucchini Chips and stay tuned for the taste test to hear that irresistible crunch. I’m craving these just thinking about them.

Ingredients

The ingredients for making fried zucchini are simple. You can actually use this same process to bread a variety of vegetables and even proteins like chicken. It’s a great recipe to have in your cooking repertoire.

• Zucchini – you’ll need 1 1/2 pounds which is about 2 medium/large zucchini.
• All-purpose flour – season your flour with salt and pepper to give flavor to your zucchini bites
• Eggs – beat 2 large cold eggs until well blended for your egg dip
• Panko bread crumbs – this is my favorite bread crumb for fried zucchini because it makes them extra crispy.
• Oil – use a high heat cooking oil. My go-to is extra light olive oil.

For the Garlic Aioli Sauce

The ingredients here are so simple but it’s a winning combination for the best zucchini dip.

• Mayonnaise – the creamy base for your sauce
• Garlic – pressed or grate 1 medium/large clove
• Lemon juice – please use freshly squeezed and not a concentrate version. It makes all the difference.
• Salt and pepper – add these to taste. You don’t need much.

How to Make Fried Zucchini

Once you have your basic breading stations set up, the process moves quickly and you can bread 2 or 3 at a time if your bowls have enough space.

• Create an assembly line: In the first bowl, mix together: 1/2 cup flour with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. In the second bowl, beat two eggs with a fork. In the third bowl, add 1 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs.
• Dredge zucchini – coat all sides of zucchini chips in flour.
• Dip in egg wash – use a fork to transfer zucchini into beaten egg, letting excess egg drip back into the bowl
• Breading – coat zucchini in bread crumbs and set on a platter. Repeat with remaining zucchini rounds.
• Fry – heat 1/4″ of oil in a large skillet over medium. Once the oil is hot (350˚F on a thermometer, or when a bread crumb sizzles), add zucchini in a single layer and sauté for 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a wire rack set over paper towels and repeat with remaining zucchini.

Pro Tip: To elevate the taste of fried foods, as soon as the fried zucchini come out of the oil, sprinkle with kosher salt to taste. It gives the crispy exterior the perfect little salty bite. We do the same with Easy Chicken Kiev.

To Serve

We love this fried zucchini as an appetizer or snack. Pair it with the Garlic Aioli Dip recipe or these amazing dips and sauces:

Common Questions

Can I substitute a different squash?

Yellow squash works great as a substitution since it is similar in size and flavor to green zucchini.

Can I make Baked Zucchini Chips?

Fried zucchini can easily be made in the oven. Set breaded zucchini onto a rimmed baking sheet, spray both sides with cooking spray, and bake in the center of a preheated oven at 425˚F for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.

Can I make Air Fryer Zucchini Chips?

It’s even easier in the air fryer since you don’t have to flip the zucchini halfway. Spray breaded zucchini on both sides with cooking spray and air fry at 370˚F for 10-13 minutes until golden brown and crisp.

Can I use different bread crumbs?

You can use an Italian bread crumb but we prefer the Panko Crumbs for the extra crunch.

More Summer Appetizer Recipes

These are some of our favorite summer appetizers (and we often sneak them into our rotation year-round because they are that good):

I’d love to hear about your favorite summer appetizers and how you love to use up all that summer zucchini. Maybe you’re making Fried Zucchini Crisps tonight?

Fried Zucchini Crisps with the Best Dipping Sauce

These zucchini chips have a perfectly crunchy outside that seals in all of the fantastic natural juiciness of zucchini. It even stays crunchy after it cools to room temperature. Don’t skip the garlic aioli – it’s wonderful. This recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled to serve a crowd.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
• Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
• Total Time: 30 minutes mins
• Servings: 6 people as an appetizer

To Make Fried Zucchini Crisps:

• Create an assembly line: In the first bowl, mix together: 1/2 cup flour with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. In the second bowl, beat two eggs with a fork. In the third bowl, add 1 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs.
• Dredge one of your zucchini slices fully in the flour mixture, tapping off the excess.
• Next, use a fork to dip floured zucchini in the beaten egg mixture, turning to fully coat, and let the excess egg drip back into the bowl before transferring to breadcrumbs.
• Move the zucchini to the bread crumbs bowl and coat all sides of the zucchini with crumbs. It helps to scoop the breading on top of the zucchini pieces so they are easier to flip and coat. Transfer to a platter and repeat with the remaining zucchini rounds.
• Heat a large, non-stick, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat and add about 1/4″ oil (enough to generously cover the bottom). Let the oil preheat to 350˚F on a thermometer or when a bread crumb sizzles in the oil then add breaded zucchini chips in batches in a single layer and sauté 3 minutes per side or until golden brown on each side. If browning too quickly, reduce the heat. Once zucchini is done frying, transfer them to a rack set over paper towels and repeat with remaining zucchini. Serve warm with aioli sauce.

To Make Garlic Aioli Dip:

• In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup mayo, 1 pressed garlic clove, 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine and serve.

Note: Nutrition label is an estimate for pan-fried zucchini crisps. Fat content will be lower for baked or air-fried zucchini.