Turn fresh zucchini into a crispy, cheesy appetizer with these Zucchini Garlic Bites. Combine grated zucchini with garlic, Parmesan, fresh herbs, and panko breadcrumbs before baking until golden on the outside and tender in the center. Serve these bite-sized snacks with marinara sauce or ranch dressing for an easy appetizer, party snack, or delicious way to use up an abundance of summer zucchini.
Recipe at a glance
- Recipe: Zucchini Garlic Bites
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Serves: 4
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best For: Appetizers, party platters, after-school snacks, and summer entertaining
- Main Ingredients: Zucchini, garlic, Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, eggs, and fresh herbs
- Serve With: Marinara sauce, ranch dressing, garlic aioli, tzatziki, or your favorite dipping sauce
- Why You'll Love It: Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with garlic and Parmesan, these bite-sized snacks are a delicious way to use up fresh summer zucchini.
- Perfect For: Using up garden zucchini, entertaining, lunchboxes, or serving alongside soups and salads.
- Pairs Well With: Grilled meats, fresh salads, pasta dishes, or a simple vegetable platter.
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Ingredients
Find below the list of ingredients I used to make my Zucchini Garlic Bites recipe.
- Zucchini
- Garlic Cloves
- Panko Crumbs
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Eggs
- Fresh Parsley
- Fresh Basil
- Salt and Pepper
- Marinara Sauce or Ranch Dressing for dipping
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Zucchini Garlic Bites
1. Preheat your oven to 400F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Grate enough zucchini so that it makes 2 cups, when gently pressed into the measuring cup.
3. Use a Potato Ricer to squeeze out most of the water out of the zucchini. You can also use a Nut Milk Bag or a clean kitchen cloth to wring out the liquid from zucchini.
4. Combine in a large bowl; the panko crumbs, grated parmesan, eggs, parsley, basil, garlic, and zucchini.
5. Mix (and press) everything together until the panko crumbs start absorbing the liquids, resulting in the mixture coming together in a large mass.
6. Use a cookie dough scoop which usually holds 11/2 to 2 tablespoon of dough. You should get about 12 balls. Help shape them with your fingers to get them more round and place them on your prepared baking tray.
7. Give the Zucchini Garlic Bites a quick spray of oil to help them crisp up in the oven (optional). Place the tray in the preheated 400F oven for 20-22 minutes, or until the bites start to become lightly golden and firm.
8. Remove the baked Zucchini Garlic Bites from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with your choice of warm marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, or even Cesar salad dressing.
Substitutions
- Zucchini - Replace the zucchini with the same amount of grated Yellow Squash.
- Panko - Use your choice of bread crumbs instead of Panko crumbs.
- Fresh Herbs - Change up the flavor profile of the Zucchini Garlic Bites by combining different herbs like parsley, basil, oregano and/or cilantro.
Storing Zucchini Garlic Bites
Store any remaining Zucchini Garlic Bites in an airtight container and refrigerate for 2-3 days. Place in the freezer for up to a month and heat them back up in the air fryer or oven at 350F to bring them back to their original crispy texture.
You may also like
If you loved finding a delicious way to use fresh zucchini in these Zucchini Garlic Bites, there are plenty of other zucchini recipes to enjoy. Oven-Baked Turkey Zucchini Meatballs combine lean turkey and shredded zucchini for a tender, protein-packed dinner, while Chicken and Zucchini Bake is a comforting one-pan meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. Looking for something lighter? Zucchini Dill Soup transforms fresh zucchini into a creamy, herb-filled soup that's ideal for lunch or as a starter. If you're in the mood to bake, Tomato Zucchini Muffins make a savory snack or side dish, and Carrot Cake Zucchini Muffins offer a sweet way to use up extra garden zucchini for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
Recipe
Zucchini Garlic Bites
Ingredients
- 2 cups Zucchini grated
- 5 cloves Garlic finely minced
- ? cup Panko Crumbs
- ½ cup Grated Parmesan
- 2 large Eggs
- 3 tablespoon Fresh Parsley finely chopped
- 3 tablespoon Fresh Basil finely chopped
- 1 spray Oil Spray to coat the bites
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Grate the 2 cups of zucchini and and squeeze out any excess water from it. This can be done by placing it in a potato ricer, or wringing out the liquids with the help of a clean dish towel or nut milk bag.
- In a large bowl, combine the drained zucchini with the garlic, panko crumbs, grated parmesan, eggs, parsley and basil.
- Mix all ingredients together with a rubber spatula. The panko crumbs will start to absorb the liquids and it will start to bind everything together as a large mass.
- When the above mentioned texture is achieved, start shaping the balls. Use a cookie scoop which holds between 1 ½ tablespoon to 2 tablespoon of mixture. You should be able to make 12 balls.
- Place the rounded bites onto the prepared baking tray and lightly spritz the zucchini bites with oil spray.
- Bake in the preheated 400F oven for 20-22 minutes or until they start to take on a golden color and become firm.
- Remove from the oven and serve with your choice or marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, or even Caesar salad dressing.
