You won’t believe how crispy and flavorful these baked zucchini fries are! Easy to whip up in minutes and perfect for an abundance of zucchini.
Meet your new zucchini obsession! It’s coming dressed up extra-crispy and pairs well with pretty much any dipping sauce your heart desires.
Literally the best thing you’ll ever do with an abundance of summer zucchini I’ll tell ya that.
Yeah so anyways, you’re about to single-handedly eat an entire pan of these fries…
You’d never be able to tell that we’re oven-baking these fries instead of relying on deep-frying, because they’re just SO impossibly crispy and highlight the zucchini perfectly.
And in case you’re wondering, yes, it is possible to make a meal out of ’em.
These Zucchini Fries feature…
- A super crispy exterior
- Flavorful panko breading
- Minutes to make with additional air fryer instructions
Making the Zucchini Fries
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Egg
- 2% or skim milk
- All-purpose flour
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Zucchini
- Pan spray
Air Fryer Instructions
When we want a faster cooking method we love cooking these zucchini fries in the air fryer! Spray zucchini well with pan spray and air fry in a single layer at 400F 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
Do note that you will likely need to cook the fries in several batches (depending on the size of your air fryer) so as not to overcrowd the basket.
Tips for Perfect Zucchini Fries
- Cut zucchini into uniform sizes – ideally, you want uniform 1/2 x 3-1/2 inch zucchini fries. Try to cut them all the same size so they cook at the same rate.
- Use traditional breading method – this means coating the zucchini in flour, beaten egg, and then rolling in the breadcrumbs mixture. This method will help your breading stick to the zucchini.
- Spray fries with nonstick spray – this adds a little bit of fat to the fries and helps them cook up perfectly golden.
- Space fries on sheet pan – giving the fries ample space on the sheet pans is crucial for getting them to cook up crispy. If you overcrowd the fries they will steam and not brown properly.
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on these fries!
- Flavor breading differently – try different dried herbs or a little more cayenne powder for some heat.
- Add cheese to breading – add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or asiago to the panko mixture.
- Use summer squash – this recipe will work great with summer squash in place of the zucchini.
Storing and Reheating Fries
These fries store well in the refrigerator up to 4 days. To reheat fries, air fry in a single layer at 375F 4-6 minutes or oven bake in a single layer at 400F 12-15 minutes.
We do not recommend microwaving fries as a method of reheating as this will make the fries soggy.
It’s utterly insane how crispy these zucchini fries turn out for not being deep-fried! The coating is crisp, flavorful, and every bit as good as regular fries.
Seriously guys, mere words can’t describe how amazing these fries are. You need to get a batch in the oven NOW and find out for yourself.
Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.
Try these other keeper zucchini recipes next!
Oven Zucchini Fries
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup 2% or skim milk
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1-1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-in x 3-1/2-in fries
- Canola or vegetable oil pan spray
- Ranch dressing, barbecue, or marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F. Lightly grease two medium sheet pans and set aside (see blog post for air fryer instructions)
- In a shallow bowl, whisk egg and milk until smooth. In a separate shallow bowl, combine flour, salt, and pepper to taste. In a third shallow bowl, combine panko, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Dredge zucchini fries in flour, shaking off excess. Dip zucchini in egg, then roll in breadcrumbs until fully coated. Arrange zucchini between sheet pans, spacing fries apart as much as possible. Spray zucchini well with pan spray.
- Bake zucchini fries at 425F 15-20 minutes until fries are golden brown and crispy. Serve fries warm with your choice of dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was updated with new recipe tips and photos on 7/20/23.
Karen @ Lushious Eats says
Who ever says zucchini and fries can’t be amazing are WRONG! I’ve love zucchini fries they are super tasty! I love how you used milk to dip these, that’s sweet. I normally use egg whites – now I’ve gotta try these with milk. I have 4 zucchini plants growing in my garden……now I sit back and wait for fresh fries 😉
Have an awesome weekend Sarah!
Sarah says
That’s so cool that you grow your own zucchinis too, Karen! Aren’t they just the BEST thing ever?! 😉
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy says
OMG they look sooo good!! I’m with you – zucchini fries make me so super happy, it’s crazy! Love your version of these – pinned!
Sarah says
Thanks for the inspiration for these fries, Jen! They pretty much made my whole week. 😀
Annie @Maebells says
I loooove these! Zucchini fries are one of my favorite side dishes! Such a good alternative to normal fries!
Sarah says
Aren’t they just the BOMB, Annie?! I think I love them even more than regular potato fries! 🙂
Allison says
I am so into this! I tend over-buy zucchini and love learning new ways to prepare it. Giving it a little crunch would be fantastic, especially since it can go kind of limp when cooked. Awesome recipe, as always, Sarah!
Sarah says
Oh, I’m ALWAYS on the lookout for new ways to fix zucchini too—LOVE the stuff! Especially in the summertime. 😉 Thanks Allison–have an awesome weekend girl!
Danielle says
I love zucchini, it’s one of my favorite veggies. Coating it in breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese and making it crispy is always good too!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says
Love these cripspy baked zucchini. . I wish I had a plateful of these delicious zucchini fries in front of me right now.. they look super yummy!!
Sarah says
Thanks, Arpita!
Elizabeth says
Your pictures are amazing!! We have some zucchini that needs to be used. Can’t wait to try these!
Sarah says
Thank you so much, Elizabeth! I hope you like these fries! 🙂
Ashley says
haha I’d die from happiness after eating these fries too! I’m not a fan of frying either so I love baking things like this! These sound awesome – zucchini is the best!
Sarah says
Thanks, Ashley! And IKR?! Zucchini is the BOMB! 😀
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
These zucchini fires look amazing Sarah! I really hate to fry too so these are perfect. And I love Ranch so much, I could drink it 🙂
Sarah says
Haha! I’m right there with ‘ya on drinking Ranch dressing, Christin! 😉
Joanne says
Don’t get me wrong, I will probably never turn down a plate of French fries….but I will also never turn down these baked zucchini fries. BIG yum.
Sarah says
Totally, Joanne! Regular fries are amazing too, but zucchini fries are a whole ‘nother level of YUM. 😉
Kelly says
Oh my gosh, these look amazing, Sarah! I love that these are baked – they’re so crispy and just perfect:)
Sarah says
Thanks, Kelly! I know you will LOVE these fries! 🙂
Isadora says
I completely agree with you, Sarah, why would you ever want to fry vegetables?! And it really does make your house smell disgusting and it makes me feel a little disgusting after eating them! I’ve been eating so many zucchinis lately too, but for some reason I have yet to make fries out of them. Fries are one of my favorite things ever and I want to eat all these fries right now!!
Sarah says
TOTALLY uncool on the issue of frying vegetables—sooo not right! And oh my gosh, girl if you have yet to make zucchini fries this summer you MUST try this recipe ASAP. 😀
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen says
I love all the seasonings you have in your breadcrumbs. They must be so flavorful! Great idea to serve it up with ranch dressing, I bet the kids would love these.
Sarah says
Thanks, Sherri! Even my picky siblings enjoyed these fries. (with a lot of Ranch, of course) 😉
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
Only 21 calories! Why don’t I have these in my oven right now?!?! Must get zucchini at the farmers market tomorrow. Yumm!
Sarah says
Totally jealous of your farmers market, Lindsey! Go gawk at all the pretty produce for me! 🙂
Consuelo - Honey & Figs says
YES I DO WANT TO EAT THEM ALL BY MYSELF OH PLEASE
How good they look? And that ranch dressing?? I think I’m dying too 😉
Sarah says
Haha! Totally understand that, Consuelo! I reaaaally didn’t want to share these fries with anyone. 😉
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I totally forgot about zucchini fries! How could I forget, they’re one of my favorite ways to use up zucchini. One year I went a little overboard planting zucchini in the garden. I had more zucchini than I knew what to do with. Best problem ever : )
Sarah says
Hahaha! “Best problem ever.” EXACTLY how I feel about most veggie overloads! 😀
Sarah @ Running On Brie says
I’m ALL over these zucchini fries! I want one for breakfast right now too! Zucchini is one of my absolute fave vegetables- but I haven’t breaded them recently- looks like I need to give this a try. Delicious!
Sarah says
Zucchini is my fav veggie too, Sarah! You definitely need to give breading them a go. 😉
Jennifer S. says
I want to try these. I love how you are always so hopeful adding a note about how long things can be stored in the refrigerator. Somehow I’m thinking that doesn’t happen often (like our house).
Sarah says
Hahaha! Same deal in this house, Jen!
valerie says
The oven baked zucchini fries…. Can you please tel me what I might be doing wrong?
I’ve tried zucchini fries and chips several times and each time I fail. Mine always come out soggy. I thought I might be putting too much oil on the pan so I didn’t use much at all this time, but still soggy fries.
Sarah says
It might be that you’re not baking the fries at a high enough temperature that’s resulting in sogginess. I bake mine at 425F and that results in a crispy outside. Hope this helps, Valerie!