10 Creative Ways To Bake with Zucchini
Zucchini is a great go-to vegetable that everyone should have in their kitchen. It’s super versatile and has a lot to offer the culinary world – and you! It’s easy to get creative when baking with zucchini and this list highlights just a few of the ways to explore both the savory and sweet sides of this little squash!
1. Roasted Zucchini
Roasting zucchini in the oven is a classic way to enjoy this vegetable, and it’s so easy! There are a lot of recipes out there, but I like to cut my zucchini into rounds and cover in a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper and then pop them in the oven.
Roasted zucchini makes a great side dish for dinner or can be added to a salad or grain bowl for extra texture. Sometimes, if I want a little extra kick, I’ll sprinkle a little paprika over my zucchini before placing it in the oven!
2. Zucchini Bread
If you haven’t tried zucchini bread yet, what are you even doing? It’s delicious and a great way to sneak some veggies into a yummy treat that can be eaten for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert.
There are so many different variations to baking zucchini bread, the possibilities are almost endless! You can have fun with it by adding chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and cinnamon (my personal go-to) for a delicious treat that’s easy for a quick grab-n-go breakfast!
3. Baked Zucchini Fries
Before you knock it for being a healthier alternative to the classic potato french fry, you have to try it! There are lots of ways to execute this dish, but I like to cut my zucchini into strips resembling fries, coat them in egg and breadcrumbs, sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top, and pop those babies in the oven!
This is a really fun side dish for any dinner and SO easy to make. You can feel a little better about eating these fries as well, and who wouldn’t love a guilt-free (or mostly, anyway!) fry?
4. Cheesy Z-Bake
This is one of my favorite ways to bake with Zucchini! It’s packed with flavor and not something a lot of people would expect zucchini to be a good fit for. It just so happens that cheese and zucchini go really well together, especially when you marry them in the oven!
This is a fun recipe because it works as a main dish rather than a side dish, which zucchini is most commonly used for. Change it up with this flavorful bake!
5. Zucchini Brownies
Okay, who doesn’t love brownies? Adding some grated zucchini to your brownie mix is a great way to elevate the texture without messing up the desired brownie flavor.
Since zucchini doesn’t have a very strong flavor on its own because it’s mostly water, your brownies won’t end up tasting weird or funky, just like chocolate! Also, you can feel good about eating these brownies because there’s technically a vegetable in it, so go ahead and bake yourself a batch and enjoy this easy dessert!
6. Zucchini Muffins
Another great breakfast idea, baking zucchini muffins is really similar to baking zucchini bread, but in cute muffin shapes! Bake these on a lazy Sunday and enjoy them for breakfast all week long.
These muffins make a great on the go breakfast but are also really good when warmed or toasted with your favorite butter. I like to enjoy them warmed with peanut butter and a cup of coffee myself, but there are lots of different ways to enjoy them!
7. Quick Zucchini Fritters
Fritters are a delicious and creative way to enjoy zucchini and are really easy to make! I keep mine simple with some grated zucchini, parmesan, garlic, olive oil, and egg, but you can spice these up however you want to!
The zucchini adds a really good texture and acts nicely with the egg to hold the fritter together while baking. If you’re worried about the fritter holding together in the oven, go ahead and fry them! Both are great options when making these fritters. Add a dollop of sour cream on top to finish them off!
8. Crispy Zucchini Chips
A personal favorite of mine, baking sliced zucchini into crispy chips makes a great and healthy snack that is great all year round. Skip the potato chips and satisfy your cravings with these instead! Add a little sea salt when they’re done baking for more flavor. Go ahead and have as many as you’d like, they’re a much healthier option for you than processed, store-bought chips!
Pro Tip: These chips are a great appetizer to make if you’re entertaining friends or family. They’re easy, quick, and go great with a veggie dip! Also, serving these homemade chips shows you went the extra mile for your guests!
9. Zucchini Quiche
Elevate your traditional quiche recipe by adding some grated or shredded zucchini. Along with adding texture, zucchini adds a lot of health benefits to the dish such as nutrients to regulate digestion and improve heart health. Adding this veggie to a classic or vegetable quiche is quick, easy, and takes your dish to the next level by adding some great color without compromising flavor!
10. Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Finally, I’ll leave you with this amazingly creative idea: chocolate zucchini cake! Adding zucchini to a chocolate cake batter may seem like a crazy idea, but the chocolate and the mild flavor of the veggie go really well together.
Similarly to baking bread or muffins with zucchini, it offers a nice texture to the cake when shredded and you get all the added benefits of the vegetable while enjoying a chocolate cake! A win-win, right? If you want to get even crazier with it, add some chocolate chips!
