Zucchini Parmesan Crisps Recipe
Zucchini Parmesan Crisps are a deliciously crispy and savory snack or appetizer made by coating thinly sliced zucchini rounds with Parmesan cheese and Panko breadcrumbs, then frying until golden. These crisps offer a perfect balance of tender zucchini and crunchy coating, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
- Author: Caleb
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Frying Ingredients
Breading Mixture
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Zucchini and Coating
- 2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced to 1/4-inch thick rounds
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Seasoning
- Prepare Zucchini: Line a baking sheet with paper towels and lay the zucchini slices flat in a single layer. Season with salt to taste and let them stand for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture, which helps achieve maximum crispiness.
- Heat Oil: In a large cast iron skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking, ready for frying the zucchini crisps.
- Mix Breading: In a large bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs and freshly grated Parmesan cheese; set this mixture aside for coating.
- Coat Zucchini: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, dredge each zucchini round first in the all-purpose flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the Panko-Parmesan mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres well.
- Fry Zucchini: Carefully add 5 or 6 coated zucchini slices to the hot oil in the skillet. Fry them until golden and crispy, about 1 minute on each side. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the cooked crisps onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the zucchini Parmesan crisps immediately while hot and crispy for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use thin 1/4-inch zucchini slices to ensure quick and even cooking.
- Salting the zucchini and letting it rest helps remove excess moisture, preventing sogginess.
- Maintain oil temperature to avoid greasy crisps; if the oil is too cool, the coating will absorb oil rather than crisp.
- For a healthier alternative, try baking the coated zucchini at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Freshly grated Parmesan is preferred over pre-grated for better flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe (about 6 crisps)
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Zucchini Parmesan Crisps, crispy zucchini, fried zucchini, appetizer, vegetarian snack, Panko crusted zucchini