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.
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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!
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!
Dip each zucchini round into the egg, letting the excess drip off.
Place each zucchini round 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 some before serving.
Present!
Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired, and serve.
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
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.
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Keto Fried Zucchini with Parmesan Cheese
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.
