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You are here: Home / Recipes / Side Dishes / Fried Zucchini Recipe with Parmesan Cheese (keto & gluten free)

Fried Zucchini Recipe with Parmesan Cheese (keto & gluten free)

Published January 7, 2020. Last updated October 22, 2020 by Lauren Vavala

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Fried Zucchini made with a crunchy almond flour and Parmesan cheese coating is a delicious side dish or appetizer. With only 5 net carbs per serving, it’s perfect for those following low carb diets and is naturally gluten free.

Fried Zucchini on a rectangular serving tray with a white sauce and spoon next to it on a white background

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Getting enough vegetables into a daily diet can be hard for anyone. It can be especially difficult for those following very low carb diets, like keto. This Fried Zucchini recipe is a great solution since it only has 5 net carbs per serving. It’s also naturally gluten free.

With it’s crunchy coating, it feels more like a treat than a vegetable. Your kids may even eat these delicious little rounds without turning their nose up at the idea that it’s actually a vegetable – a green vegetable!

Why This Recipe Works

  • Fried zucchini is a great way to use this versatile vegetable. If you grow zucchini in your garden, then you know how abundant it can be. Finding simple, delicious ways to use it helps it not to go to waste, as well.
  • It can be served as a side dish, appetizer or snack. Kids tend to enjoy it as well because of the crunchy coating.
  • This recipe is low carb, keto friendly, and gluten free.

How to Make Fried Zucchini

Prep!

Zucchini cut into rounds on a red and white cutting board

Wash the zucchini and slice into 1/4-inch rounds. Line a plate with paper towels and set aside.

Tip: use smaller zucchini for the best results. Smaller zucchini tends to be firmer and holds up well during frying. If your zucchini is too large, it may get mushy in the center when fried.

Prepare the ingredients needed for breading the zucchini. Add the eggs to a bowl and lightly whisk. Then, combine the almond flour, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper in a second bowl. Mix well.

Create!

3 Zucchini Rounds in an egg wash in a white bowl

Dip each zucchini round into the egg, letting the excess drip off.

Breaded zucchini rounds in a white bowl filled with breading ingredients

Place each zucchini round into the almond flour mixture. Coat each round in the almond flour mixture, then transfer to a plate.

Close up of a slice of zucchini frying in a black skillet

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.

Add the zucchini rounds, leaving enough space between them so that they don’t touch. You may have to work in batches.

Cook on one side for 2-4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Then, flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.

Remove to a paper towel lined plate to cool some before serving.

Present!

CLose up of fried zucchini topped with extra Parmesan cheese

Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired, and serve.

Close up of a fried zucchini round being dipped in roasted garlic aioli

Tip: dip them in Roasted Garlic Aioli or Ranch dressing for even more flavor!

Tips and Techniques for the Best Fried Zucchini

  • Using smaller zucchini will give you the best results. Smaller zucchini tends to be firmer and holds up well during frying. If your zucchini is too large, it may get mushy in the center when frying.
  • Roasted Garlic Aioli or Ranch dressing make a great dip for adding even more flavor to these Fried Zucchini rounds.
  • Store leftover Fried Zucchini in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 2 days for the best results. Reheating in the oven or a toaster oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes is recommended to help them crisp back up.

FAQ’s

  • Do you peel zucchini before frying it? You don’t have to peel zucchini before frying it, unless you prefer to. If your zucchini is exceptionally large, the skin can be more bitter. If this is the case, you may want to peel it first. Keep in mind that larger zucchini often become mushy in the center when fried. Smaller zucchini works best for fried.
  • Is zucchini allowed on a keto diet? Zucchini is a low carb vegetable that is suitable for those following a keto diet. It has approximately 2.5 net carbs per 1 cup.

More Low Carb Zucchini Recipes to Try

A collage of 3 recipes using zucchini

Have some more zucchini to use up? This Keto Mac and Cheese with Zoodles recipe is vegetarian and can be served as a side dish or the main course. Some other low carb main dish recipes you may like that use zoodles are Low Carb Beef & Broccoli Zoodles and Keto Shrimp Scampi.

Love this Fried Zucchini recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

Fried Zucchini on a rectangular serving tray with a white sauce and spoon next to it on a white background
Print

Keto Fried Zucchini with Parmesan Cheese

Fried Zucchini made with a crunchy almond flour and Parmesan cheese coating is a delicious side dish or appetizer. With only 5 net carbs per serving, it's perfect for those following low carb diets and is naturally gluten free.
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 241kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 2 small zucchini
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup blanched almond flour
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • extra virgin olive oil for frying

Instructions

  • Slice the zucchini into 1/4-inch rounds, discarding the ends.
  • Add the eggs to a bowl and lightly whisk.
  • Combine the almond flour, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper in a second bowl and toss to combine.
  • Dip each zucchini round into the egg, letting the excess drip off, then into the almond flour mixture.
  • Coat each round in the almond flour mixture, then transfer to a plate.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add the zucchini rounds, leaving enough space between them so that they don't touch. You may have to work in batches.
  • Cook on one side for 2-4 minutes, or until lightly browned, then flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.
  • Remove to a paper towel lined plate to cool before serving.

Notes

Tips and Techniques for the Best Fried Zucchini

  • Using smaller zucchini will give you the best results. Smaller zucchini tends to be firmer and holds up well during frying. If your zucchini is too large, it may get mushy in the center when frying.
  • Roasted Garlic Aioli or Ranch dressing make a great dip for adding even more flavor to these Fried Zucchini rounds.
  • Store leftover Fried Zucchini in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 2 days for the best results. Reheating in the oven or a toaster oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes is recommended to help them crisp back up.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and does not include the olive oil, as the amount used and absorbed will vary. The use of olive oil will only impact the total fat in this recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 241kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 630mg | Potassium: 303mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 461IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 294mg | Iron: 2mg

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Filed Under: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Recipes, Side Dishes

Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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