Description

This Parmesan Crusted Zucchini recipe offers a crispy, flavorful twist on a classic vegetable side dish. Tender zucchini spears are coated with olive oil, seasoned with Italian herbs, and crusted with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before baking and broiling to golden perfection. Served with an optional tangy garlic lemon mayo dip, this dish is a delicious, healthy appetizer or side that’s quick and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Zucchini and Seasoning

1 ½ pounds zucchini (about 3 medium)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
Fresh lemon juice and zest (optional)

Garlic Lemon Mayo Dip (Optional)

¼ cup mayonnaise
2 garlic cloves (finely minced)
1 tablespoon lemon juice (from 1–2 lemons)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking the zucchini spears.
Prep Zucchini: Cut each zucchini into roughly 3-inch pieces by first slicing lengthwise into quarters, then cutting each quarter in half widthwise, resulting in about 8 pieces per zucchini.
Season Zucchini: Place the zucchini spears into a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss well to coat evenly. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, tossing again until all pieces are thoroughly seasoned.
Coat in Parmesan: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top. Spread the grated Parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl. Press the flat side of each zucchini piece into the cheese, coating both flat sides, then arrange them in a single layer on the wire rack with space between each piece.
Bake and Broil: Bake the coated zucchini at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they begin to soften. Then switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, rotating the pan as necessary to avoid burning, until the Parmesan crust turns golden brown and crispy.
Serve: Remove the zucchini from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Optionally, sprinkle with fresh lemon juice and zest for extra brightness before serving.
Prepare Dipping Sauce (Optional): In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, finely minced garlic, and lemon juice to create a tangy dipping sauce to accompany the zucchini.

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for a better crust texture and flavor.
You can adjust the Italian seasoning based on your taste preferences by adding herbs like oregano, basil, or thyme.
The optional garlic lemon mayo dip adds a creamy tang that complements the crispy zucchini, but the zucchini is delicious on its own as well.
Ensure the zucchini pieces are spread out on the rack to promote even baking and browning.
If you prefer a milder crust, reduce the amount of Parmesan cheese slightly.
Serve immediately after resting for optimal crispness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 17 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Parmesan crusted zucchini, baked zucchini, healthy zucchini recipe, Italian seasoned zucchini, gluten free appetizer, vegetable side dish, garlic lemon mayo dip, easy vegetable recipes, crispy zucchini