Crispy zucchini

Name: Crispy zucchini
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Zucchini 1 lb; Eggs medium 2; Breadcrumbs 1 ¼ cup; Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese 3 oz; Fine salt ½ tsp; Parsley to taste; Basil to taste

Difficulty: Very easy
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Very low

PRESENTATION

Crispy zucchini straight from the oven, no frying pan required — and no oil either. The crust comes entirely from a three-part coating of breadcrumbs, Parmigiano, and aromatic herbs, which bakes up golden brown and fragrant while keeping the zucchini tender inside. That combination of a crunchy, savory exterior and a soft center is what makes this a reliable side dish worth returning to. A hot oven does the work that oil would otherwise do, and the result is a coating that holds its texture without feeling heavy or greasy.

The contrast between the crispy coating and the soft center is the whole point, and it carries across a range of settings. Serve these as a starter when you want something light but satisfying, alongside meat or fish when you need a side that can hold its own, or as part of a vegetarian spread where variety matters. They need no adjustment for any of those occasions. Everything comes together with just one pan, a handful of ingredients, and a straightforward trip through the oven — which is part of why this crispy zucchini recipe earns a regular spot in weeknight cooking.

How to prepare Crispy zucchini

To prepare the crispy zucchini start by washing them, drying them and trimming the ends 1. Cut them in half and slice into pieces about 0.5 cm thick (about 0.2 in) 2. Gather the basil leaves and parsley and finely chop them with a knife 3.

In a bowl pour the breadcrumbs together with the grated Parmesan 4, add the salt 5 and the chopped herbs 6.

Mix well 7 and coat the sliced zucchini first in the beaten eggs 8 and then in the breadcrumb mixture 9.

At this point arrange the zucchini on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, without overlapping them 10, and bake in a conventional oven at 392F for 20 minutes 11. When the crispy zucchini are golden, serve them, adding an extra pinch of salt on top if you wish 12.