Crispy yet tender with the right amount of crunch, these Parmesan Zucchini Chips are an easy and versatile vegetable side dish.
If you've not enjoyed zucchini in the past, this recipe just might be a game changer. Plus you can feel good serving them to you family. Need more vegetable recipes? Try these Cranberry Cashew Broccoli and Asparagus and Peas recipes.
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Is your garden bursting or has the neighborhood zucchini fairy paid you a visit and you find yourself with more zucchini than you know what to do with? Parmesan Zucchini Chips are a delicious and fairly nutritious way to use them up.
What is zucchini?
Besides the plant that keeps on giving, zucchini is a fruit, yes it's a fruit, that grows on a vine and resembles a cucumber.
Zucchini is the American translation of the Italian zucchino, which translates to tiny squash. In France and England, it's called a courgette, the French translation of the Italian word. So if you ever see a recipe and it calls for a courgette, grab a zucchini.
It can get confusing to have things known by different names, much like eggplant/aubergine or cilantro/coriander, but whatever you call it, it's delicious!
Is a zucchini a cucumber?
No, while they look similar, they are not the same thing nor in the same plant family. Zucchini is more closely related to okra.
Recipe Ingredients
- Zucchini — The size of garden fresh and store bought can vary widely and that's ok. Slicing them to a quarter-inch is the important part to have them cook evenly and have the perfect texture.
- Olive oil — Using extra virgin olive oil is our preference, you can use your favorite cooking oil.
- Panko — These Japanese-style breadcrumbs are coarser than regular breadcrumbs giving a bigger crunch in each bite.
- Parmesan cheese — Use shredded instead of the finely grated, more powdery green-can variety for best results.
- Seasonings — oregano, granulated garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Cooking spray — Helps the chips keep from sticking to the bottom and aids in crisping up the top.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1 — Slice the zucchini into quarter-inch coins.
Step 2 — Mix the panko, Parmesan cheese, granulated garlic, and oregano together in a bowl.
Step 3 — Add the salt and pepper to the olive oil. Toss the sliced zucchini in a bag and pour the seasoned oil in. Seal and shake. We want all the sliced evenly coated.
Step 4 — Press the oiled zucchini into the breadcrumb mixture on each side.
Step 5 — Spray the skillet with cooking spray. Place the breaded chips in the pan. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the pan is full. Bake for 10 minutes in a 450°F oven. Gently flip them over and back for an additional 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
Additions, substitutions, and variations
- For extra crispy chips, bake the zucchini in a single layer.
- Add red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture for a slight kick.
- Thyme, parsley, basil, or Italian seasoning blend can be used instead of the oregano or added to it.
- Placing the skillet under the broiler for a minute will also crisp them up.
- Swap out half of the zucchini and add summer squash.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. While we love our cast iron, you can make these in any high-heat, oven safe pan or baking dish.
Yes! Add them to a platter and set them out for your guests to enjoy.
Store them in a sealed container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
The best way to reheat these zucchini Parmesan chips is to place them on a rack on a baking sheet in a single layer and place under the broiler for about a minute on each side.
To be honest, we've not tried this. When we do, we'll let you know.
What to serve with Parmesan Zucchini Chips
If you're making these as part of an appetizer buffet, serve them with our Bacon Wrapped Pickles or Jalapeño Poppers. Homemade ranch dressing and marinara or pizza sauce make great dipping options.
As a side dish, they are at home with Lasagna, Pizza Pasta, or our Sausage Peppers and Rice Skillet.
If you tried these Cast Iron Skillet Nachos or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Get the Recipe
Parmesan Zucchini Chips
Equipment
- 12" Cast Iron Skillet
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs fresh zucchini about 3 zucchini; cut into ¼" slices
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1½ cups panko bread crumbs
- 1½ cups Parmesan cheese grated
- 1½ teaspoon oregano dried
- 1½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Slice the zucchini and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl mix the olive oil, salt and pepper together
- In a separate bowl combine the panko, Parmesan cheese, oregano, and garlic powder.
- Blot the zucchini dry with a towel or paper towels to absorb any released water. Add to a large bowl or zip seal bag. Add the seasoned oil, coat well.
- Dip slices of squash in cheese mixture and coat on both sides, pressing to coat to stick.
- Spray the skillet with cooking spray and place the squash in the skillet.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven; gently flip the slices over, lightly spray with cooking oil and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until chips are golden brown.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or as is; enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Tavo says
Absolutely nailed it with the Parmesan Zucchini Chips post! The recipe is easy to follow, creating a perfect harmony between the zucchini's freshness and the golden crispiness of the Parmesan.
Lubna says
What a delicious way of relishing zucchini.....Recipe is simple and easy too...
Whitney says
I love zuchinni and everytime I try to make the chips they don't come out crispy, will be trying it your way!!
Dana says
These are amazing! I love zucchini to begin with. Add cheese and crisp them up and I'm in heaven! Thanks for the awesome recipe, Ned!
Sarah James says
Your Parmesan courgette chips look delicious. I'm always looking for new courgette recipes to try as we always have an abundance of courgettes growing in our garden. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to the summer when I can try your recipe.
Ieva says
We loved it. We grow courgettes in the garden over the summer and it will make a great addition to our list of dishes we make when they are in season!
Anjali says
These zucchini chips were cheesy and crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside! They were the perfect after school snack for my kids today!
Kathleen says
These are so easy to make and full of great flavor. They are perfect as a side dish or an appetizer.
Mimi says
I cannot wait to make this for our book club. Thank you so much for sharing.
Toni says
These are perfect appetizers!! My kids kept asking for more!
Gloria says
What a great use of zucchini. The perfect side dish. A great appetizer too.
Tara says
Oooh, such a fantastic use for zucchini! I love that parmesan crust and how easily it all comes together.
Charlotte says
So easy. Made them at least 5 times since my garden has more zucchini than I can deal with.
Ned Adams says
I totally get that! Once zucchini is on it tends to produce a lot! Glad you’ve been able to take advantage of that and make this recipe multiple times! Happy eating!