Zucchini Garlic Bites: Crispy, Healthy & Baked to Perfection

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect snack or appetizer that’s healthy, delicious, and easy to prepare, look no further than these zucchini garlic bites. They’re bite-sized flavor bombs made with shredded zucchini, fresh garlic, cheese, and herbs ideal for guilt-free snacking.

Need more ways to use zucchini? Pair these bites with crispy zucchini fritters for a savory zucchini platter or follow up with sweet zucchini muffins for dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Zucchini Garlic Bites

• Customizable – Easily adapted for dietary needs
• Quick and easy – Ready in under 30 minutes
• Healthy – Low calorie, low carb, packed with nutrients
• Versatile – Perfect as appetizer, snack, or side dish

Ingredients Needed For Zucchini Garlic Bites

To make zucchini garlic bites, gather these ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded zucchini (drained well)
• 1 clove grated garlic
• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan version)
• 2 tbsp chopped chives (or 1 tbsp dried)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley (or 1/2 tbsp dried)
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp oregano
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Marinara sauce for dipping

Ingredient Substitutions:

• Vegan? Use a flax egg substitute and vegan cheese.
• Gluten-free? Swap breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free crackers.
• Dairy-free? Replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast or a dairy-free cheese.

How to Make Zucchini Garlic Bites

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to make these savory veggie bites:

1. Prep the Zucchini

• Wash zucchini, trim ends, and shred using a box grater.
• Wrap shredded zucchini in a clean towel and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. This is crucial for a crispy texture.

2. Mix the Ingredients

• In a large bowl, combine the drained zucchini, garlic, cheese, egg, breadcrumbs, and herbs.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Stir until fully combined.

3. Shape the Bites

• Scoop out 1 tablespoon of mixture.
• Roll into a ball or form a small patty.
• Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

4. Bake or Air Fry

• Oven: Preheat to 400°F. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until golden brown.
• Air Fryer: Preheat to 375°F. Cook for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway through.

Alternative Cooking Methods

Don’t want to bake? No problem. Here are other ways to cook zucchini garlic bites:

• Pan-Fry: Use a non-stick pan with light olive oil. Cook over medium heat until crispy.
• Air Fry: For a crispier, oil-free version, use an air fryer (perfect for low-fat diets).
• Freeze Ahead: Freeze uncooked or cooked bites and reheat straight from the freezer.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your zucchini garlic bites with:

• Warm marinara or garlic aioli
• Over pasta (as a veggie meatball substitute)
• On top of salads or grain bowls
• As a game-day or party appetizer

Pair with moist homemade zucchini bread for a garden-fresh meal experience.

Nutrition Info (Per Bite)

Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown per serving:

• Calories: 26
• Protein: 1.9g
• Carbs: 2.2g
• Fat: 1.2g
• Fiber: 0.2g
• Sugar: 0.3g

This makes them ideal for low-calorie, low-carb, and keto-inspired diets.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

Want to prep in advance? No problem.

• Refrigerator: Store cooked bites in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Flash freeze on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Store up to 4 months.
• Reheating: Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes or air fry at 375°F for 5–7 minutes.

Variations & Flavor Additions

Spice things up or tweak the recipe with these ideas:

• Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
• Mix in shredded carrots or corn for more texture.
• Use Pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast for deeper flavor.
• Try different herbs like thyme or rosemary for a new twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not draining zucchini: This leads to soggy bites.
• Skipping breadcrumbs: Causes the mixture to fall apart.
• Overmixing: Can make them mushy instead of tender.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re embracing Meatless Mondays, planning a party menu, or just using up your garden zucchini, these zucchini garlic bites are a total win. Crispy on the outside, cheesy and herby inside, they’re the kind of snack that disappears in minutes.

Give them a try and experiment with your favorite herbs and dips. Who knew zucchini could be this addictive?

Zucchini Garlic Bites: Crispy, Healthy & Baked to Perfection

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• Author: MERIEM
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 16 bites 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

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Description

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, these zucchini garlic bites are a healthy, cheesy, and flavorful snack or appetizer. Perfect for kids, parties, or meal prep, and easily adapted for gluten-free or keto diets.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 cup shredded zucchini, drained well
1 clove garlic, finely grated
1/3 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free alternative)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (or 1 tablespoon dried)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1/2 tablespoon dried)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
Pinch of salt and pepper
Marinara sauce for dipping

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Grate the zucchini using a box grater and place in a clean towel. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
In a mixing bowl, combine shredded zucchini, garlic, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended.
Scoop one tablespoon of mixture and roll into a ball. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Serve warm with marinara dipping sauce.

Notes

For an air fryer version, cook at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway.
For vegan bites, use a flax egg and vegan cheese.
For gluten-free bites, use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best crispiness.

• Prep Time: 12 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snack
• Method: Baking, Air Frying
• Cuisine: Italian-Inspired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bite
• Calories: 26
• Sugar: 0.3 g
• Sodium: 54 mg
• Fat: 1.2 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2.2 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 1.9 g
• Cholesterol: 13 mg

Keywords: zucchini garlic bites, baked zucchini bites, healthy zucchini snack, zucchini appetizer recipe