Whether you serve it as a side or an appetizer, this restaurant style Fried Zucchini is a family favorite. Fried to perfection, this dish is simply addicting, especially dipped in ranch and marinara!
Zucchini is one of our favorite vegetables! There are so many sides and appetizers you can make with it, like baked parmesan zucchini, or zucchini tots. This is one of our most favorite ways to enjoy it though!
Delicious Deep Fried Zucchini
Today I am sharing another family favorite – our Fried Zucchini Recipe. This one happens to be my favorite appetizer in the whole world! It’s a recipe we have at least once a month for Sunday dinner, and it’s always gone in minutes!
You can serve this in different ways depending on how you cut the zucchini (discs or sticks), but however you make it, it’s always delicious. We love to serve it with Marinara sauce or Homemade Ranch. We’ve also tried several versions over the years and now have Baked Zucchini Fries and Zucchini Chips.
I also like to order this dish at restaurants and have decided that Cheesecake Factory and Claim Jumper have my favorite versions of this yummy dish. Have any of you tried this at these places?? If not – don’t fret, because we have a feeling you’ll love this homemade version just as much.
How to Make Fried Zucchini
Other than a little time, this recipe doesn’t take much. The steps are simple as well as the ingredients.
SLICE. To make zucchini, begin by slicing it up (no need to peel zucchini). Prepare a bowl of milk as well as two Ziploc bags – one filled with flour and one filled with bread crumbs or Panko.
BATTER. Place some of the zucchini slices in the milk, making sure all sides get wet. Add this to the bag of flour, shake and then add back to bowl of milk. Add this to bag of bread crumbs and shake.
FRY. Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. Add slices and fry until golden brown. Serve with Ranch or marinara.
How do you air fry zucchini? A great healthy alternative to traditional pan frying is to use an air fryer. Heat your air fryer to 390°F. Prepare your zucchini according to recipe directions. Place a single layer of zucchini rounds or fres in the air fryer. Cook for 5-7 minutes until crispy.
How to bake zucchini? If looking for a healthier version, check out our Baked Zucchini Fries.
Additional Tips
How to reheat zucchini? Fried zucchini is ideal when eaten right away, but If you happen to have leftovers, the best way to reheat them is in the oven. You can broil them on low for 2-4 minutes or place them in a preheated oven at 375° F for 5-7 minutes until they are heated through.
How can I add flavor to fried zucchini? If you’re looking to add some variation try adding parmesan cheese, chili flakes, garlic salt, or cayenne pepper before frying. You can also use a seasoned breadcrumb or Panko mixture. The Italian versions are some of our favorites!
Another way to change up the flavors it to use different dipping sauces. We love dipping these in homemade ranch dressing, but you can also try some of your favorites dipping sauces such as marinara sauce or horseradish sauce.
Don’t those Fried Zucchini chips look amazing?! Really, though – look no further. This recipe is beyond simple and SO good!!
For more zucchini recipes, check out:
- Parmesan Crusted Zucchini
- Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
- Zucchini Boats
- Baked Zucchini Chips
- Zucchini Chicken Alfredo Roll-Ups
- Baked Crusted Zucchini Sticks
Fried Zucchini Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Zucchini
- 2-3 cups milk
- 2 cups Panko Bread Crumbs Plain or Italian
- 3 cups flour
- oil
Instructions
- Heat oil to medium heat.
- Slice zucchini into several circles. Throw 10-15 slices of zucchini into a bowl of milk.
- From there add slices to a gallon bag filled with the flour. Shake around.
- Put slices back into the milk and make sure it gets all wet again.
- Add slices to a gallon bag filled with Panko crumbs. Shake around.
- Fry until golden brown. Repeat process until all the slices are breaded and fried.
Zucchini is not a vegitable…it is a fruit because it is seed bearing. Just a little information for whoever did this recipe. Thank you and God bless
I did not see any salt, peper or any seasOning Being added anYwhere in the procEss of this recipe. Is there none used?
There isn’t, but you could definitely add some, if you like 😉
This is so delicious I love this ?
Glad you do! Thank you!
Just made this for my family for dinner. The recipe is easy to follow and i used the air fryer for a healthier option. It was a hit! Found my new favorite way to use up mY ZUCCHINI from my garden.
Love it in an air-fryer! Thank you for sharing that!
made these today and they were delicious. Not to heavy and very filling. I will definitely be making these again.
Yay!! We make them all the time! Glad you liked them! Thank you!
I made these tonight and my family devoured them in minutes. So good. Thanks for the delicious recipe.
You are so welcome! I am so happy your family liked them, that much!
I dont even like zuchinni, but i cooked some for my family tonight f dinner. Theyloved them! Said they were restaurant quality. Thanksforthe recipe.
Yay!! I am glad they think so 🙂 Please, tell them thank you!
This was great! I was happy to not need eggs as I was making a small amount. This worked perfectly!
Happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing that!
Just made these this weekend for my family and they were a huge hit. Such a good texture and so yummy.
I loved these & overall they were delicious. I made the mistake of having the oil too hot, which is a common mistake of mine. I gave a 5 star review since it was my cooking error. I will definitely make them again & I’ll pay more attention next time.
Tasted great family loved it.
I’m so glad your family loved it! Thanks for sharing!
Are 2-3 cups of milk correct? Seems excessive. Also, can I use seasoned cornmeal instead of Panko or breadcrumbs that I normally don’t keep around? I fry green tomatoes that way
You are welcome to switch things up however you would like. The recipe is accurate and we included what we used and loved, but you can certainly substitute and modify things to what you enjoy. The recipe will just turn out slightly different. 🙂
Boy, you weren’t kidding. Now my favorite tecipe for zucchini. Of course, the chef has to “sample” while they cook. I over sampled a d had to make more.
Haha! Sounds like what I do too. Chef’s gotta make sure it’s good for everyone else to eat. 😉 So glad you enjoyed the recipe!!
Very yummy. I used yellow squash fresh from a farm. Cooked in Canola oil. Added Italian seasoning after reading other posts.
Sounds delicious!!
Wow!! Excellent recipe so easy and delicious! Thank you so much!! 😃
You’re welcome!! I’m so glad you loved it!
Why so many carbs??