Oven-Baked Zucchini Bites
Last Updated on August 15, 2022 by Annie
Get your snack on with these crispy Oven-Baked Zucchini Bites. Perfect for an appetizer or a Friday night dinner, these dairy-free crispy baked zucchini bites are sure to please!
These oven-baked zucchini bites have been on repeat in our basement apartment for about a month now and it’s an absolute miracle I kept it together enough to get pictures of these salty, crispy bites before inhaling the plate.
My first attempt at making these bites I planned on making a parmesan crusted zucchini alternative but the grocery store lacked any vegan parm option. I thought I might swap the vegan parm with nutritional yeast, but again the grocery store was fresh out. I really hope it means lots of people here love Nooch as much as I do and not that it just doesn’t get re-stocked often.
Anyways, with no vegan parm or nooch in sight, I thought what the heck, let’s bread these babies up and see if they are missing that nutty flavor. Spoiler alert– they were absolutely perfect!
HEALTH BENEFITS OF ZUCCHINI
While breading and baking these bites with a little olive oil might not make them the end all be all of healthy eating, these little bites of zucchini do have a few health benefits that make them the perfect appetizer or snack!
- Zucchini is a low carb vegetable packed with vitamin A.
- Also rich in antioxidants– win!
- Aids in digestion by adding both soluble and insoluble fiber– double win!
Picking the Perfect Zucchini
The base of this zucchini bites recipe starts with a perfectly picked zucchini. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you select and store your fresh zucchini for these crispy oven baked bites.
- Select a small to medium sized zucchini. The larger they are the quicker they spoil.
- Keep it dry. Make sure the zucchini stays dry until you are ready to wash and use.
- Don’t wash the zucchini until jest before you cook it.
- Keep stored in the refrigerator in a loose plastic bag with minimum humidity.
HOW TO MAKE OVEN BAKED ZUCCHINI BITES
INGREDIENTS FOR ZUCCHINI BITES
Honestly there is not much standing between you and these quasi-healthy zucchini bites. Grab a zucchini the next time you are at the grocery store and let’s whip these up!
- Zucchini– washed and sliced
- Egg– whisked
- Breading mixture– panko, flour, salt, pepper, and paprika
- Marinara- For dipping once the zucchini bites are baked and ready to dish out!
STEPS TO MAKE ZUCCHINI BITES
- Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Prepare zucchini: Wash and dry zucchini. Chop off the ends and discard. Slice the zucchini into 1/4 inch thick disks.
- Whisk egg: In a small bowl whisk one egg and set aside.
- Mix bread coat: In a medium bowl, stir together 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs, 1/3 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1 teaspoon paprika.
- Wet the zucchini: Dip a sliced zucchini into the whisked egg, be sure to coat both sides.
- Bread the zucchini: Then dip the zucchini slice into the breading mixture. Coat both sides and place breaded zucchini on baking sheet.
- Repeat this process with the remaining slices.
- Oil the bites: Drizzle the top side of the zucchini slices with olive oil. Flip and drizzle the other side with olive oil.
- Bake for 20 minutes in a preheated oven. Flip and bake the other side for 15 minutes.
- Cool (slightly): Remove from oven and allow a minute or two to cool before serving with a side of marinara sauce to dip them.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Some of the kitchen tools I’ve used for these zucchini bites include:
- Small Tongs– Perfect for flipping these zucchini bites before returning to bake.
- Silicone Baking Mat– Great for lining the baking sheet and using over and over.
Air Fryer Directions
If you want to cut the baking time down, you can easily whip these up and cook them in your air fryer. These air fryer directions were created with the Instant Pot Vortex and your results may vary based on your personal air fryer.
To make in the air fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Follow directions for making zucchini bites through the drizzling of the olive oil.
- Once drizzled with olive oil, place the zucchini bites in a single layer in the air fryer (you will probably end up with two batches of bites).
- Air fry for 12 minutes and flip halfway.
Serving Suggestions for Oven-Baked Zucchini Bites
I have been known to snack on these zucchini bites and nothing else for the rest of the night #noshameinthesnackgame but if you are looking to make these just and appetizer and want to dish them out with other items here’s what I would suggest next.
OTHER DELICIOUS SNACKS TO TRY
If you tried these Crispy and Savory Zucchini Bites and enjoyed them feel free to leave a comment below! I would love to hear how it went! Or, snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy to share all your life after dairy adventures!
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Oven Baked Zucchini Bites
Crispy Oven Baked Zucchini dipped in marinara sauce makes the ultimate appetizer or snack!
Ingredients
- 1 Zucchini washed and sliced
- 1 Egg whisked
- ¾ cup Panko
- ⅓ cup Flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- ¼ cup Olive Oil divided
- ⅓ cup Marinara Sauce for dipping
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
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Wash and dry 1 zucchini. Trim and compost or discard the ends. Slice the zucchini into ¼ inch thick disks. Set aside.
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In a medium bowl whisk 1 egg.
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In another medium bowl stir together ¾ cup panko, ⅓ cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon paprika, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
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Dip 1 zucchini round in the whisked egg and flip to coat both sides.
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Next dip the zucchini in the panko mixture and flip to coat both sides. Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining zucchini slices.
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Lightly drizzle the tops of the zucchini bites with olive oil. Use 2 tablespoons on one side then flip and drizzle the other side with the remaining 2 tablespoons.
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Place baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes.
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Remove from oven and flip each zucchini bite. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
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Remove from the oven and serve with a small bowl of marinara sauce to dip and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Air Fryer Directions
These air fryer directions were created with the Instant Pot Vortex and your results may vary based on your personal air fryer.
To make in the air fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Follow directions for making zucchini bites through the drizzling of the olive oil.
- Once drizzled with olive oil, place the zucchini bites in a single layer in the air fryer (you will probably end up with two batches of bites).
- Air fry for 12 minutes and flip halfway.
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