This Parmesan zucchini recipe is an Italian twist on our roasted zucchini sticks base recipe. Tossed with garlic, herbs, and a light panko-Parmesan coating, these roasted sticks are crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. They make a delicious veggie side or snack that’s sure to please kids and adults alike!
Must-Know Cooking Skills to Level Up your Kitchen Game
Want to whip up this recipe like a pro? Brush up on the basics with these quick how-to videos:
Take it a step further with our Knife Skills 101 course, and you’ll be slicing and dicing like a seasoned chef in no time!
Culinary Tips for the Most Delicious Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
We use weight instead of volume for the zucchini because sizes can be highly variable. Weigh at the store or use a simple kitchen scale. It’s okay if you have slightly more or less than 1.5 pounds.
If the zucchini is sticking to the pan after cooking, allow to cool for 5 minutes, and then it will naturally release.
For best results when roasting, use our memorable acronym: ROAST WELL.
Right Temp
Set your oven to a high cooking temperature to achieve optimal caramelization. In general, anywhere between 400ºF and 500ºF is considered a roasting temperature. Zucchini requires a high temp due to its high water content.
Oil Generously
Don’t be scared of oil! Healthy oils add nutrition, satiety, and great flavor to roasted vegetables. Make sure every piece is thoroughly coated with oil; it’s better to use a little too much than not enough. Use oils with high smoke points, such as canola or avocado oil.
Alike Items
If you want to roast an assortment of vegetables at the same time, select ones that are similar and will cook in the same amount of time.
Skip Pan Liners
For best caramelization and browning, place the oil-coated vegetables directly onto the pan. Although parchment paper, silicone mats, and foil make clean-up easier (we get it!), your vegetables won’t be quite as delicious.
Traditional Sheet Pan
When roasting, be sure to use a traditional sheet pan, with no more than a 1-inch rim along the sides. Deeper dishes cause vegetables to steam rather than roast – not optimal when trying to make crispy veggies! A metal pan also ensures browning.
Wash and Dry
You should always wash fresh produce before eating or cooking, but another important step when roasting is to make sure your vegetables are dry. Water generates steam, and again, we want to avoid steam to ensure the vegetables turn brown and crispy.
Even Cuts
It is important to make your pieces approximately the same size to ensure even cooking. Small pieces cook faster than large pieces. Check out our online Knife Skills class to improve your speed and efficiency in the kitchen!
Leave Space
Spread the vegetables out on a sheet pan and leave plenty of space around each piece. If you overcrowd the pan, the vegetables will steam. Are you noticing a trend here? Steam is the enemy when trying to create crisp, roasted veggies!
When in doubt, use two pans. Yes, that might mean more dishes to clean, but we promise that it will be worth it!
Let them Cook!
Cooking requires patience. While it can be tempting to pull the vegetables from the oven once they are soft, make sure that they get that nice, brown exterior. For longer cooking vegetables, such as potatoes, you can stir them halfway through the cook time to brown on all sides, but it’s not totally necessary.
To learn more about how to roast vegetables, check out this article!
Ingredient Swaps & Substitutions
- Zucchini: Substitute Mexican calabacita squash or yellow summer squash.
- Canola or Avocado Oil: substitute a lower-quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Granulated Garlic: Sub fresh minced garlic, but be sure to mix it into the oil to avoid burning.
- Parmesan Cheese: Pecorino Romano adds a saltier, sharper bite. Nutritional yeast can work for a dairy-free option.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Use whole wheat panko for more fiber or gluten-free panko if needed.
- Italian Seasoning: Try oregano, basil, thyme, or any dried herb mix you like!
Recipe Variations: Make it YOUR Own!
This recipe is super adaptable—try one of these tasty twists:
- Spicy Parmesan Zucchini: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the coating.
- Lemon Herb Zucchini: Stir lemon zest into the panko-Parmesan mix.
- Dairy-Free Crispy Zucchini: Skip the cheese and use extra seasoning and nutritional yeast instead.
Looking for more zucchini inspiration?
Start with our roasted zucchini sticks base recipe, then try these variations:
Equipment Recommendations
You just need a few basic tools for this recipe. Here’s your shopping list:
- Cutting board & Chef’s knife – for precise veggie prep
- Nested mixing bowls – to toss the zucchini evenly
- 13 x 18 Baking Sheet – for roasting to crispy perfection
- Measuring spoons – for accurate seasoning
Want to upgrade your kitchen tools? Don’t miss our Essential Equipment Guide for all the must-haves!
Health Benefits of Parmesan Panko Zucchini
Not only are Parmesan Zucchini Sticks delicious, but they’re also packed with nutrients. Bonus points for cheese lovers (that’s us!); even Parmesan has health benefits!
Zucchini
Zucchini is a nutrient-rich vegetable loaded with fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. It’s great for digestion and hydration, too!
Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan is rich in calcium, protein, and contains a decent amount of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Also, due to its aging process, it contains beneficial probiotics that can improve your gut and overall health. We do need to be mindful of the saturated fat cheese also contains, so limiting the amount is important. Luckily, a little goes a long way!
Spices & Herbs
Granulated garlic and Italian seasoning add flavor and nutrition to this recipe. Using spices and herbs helps reduce the amount of salt needed for flavor, which may help reduce hypertension risk and promote heart health. Additionally, spices contain powerful antioxidants which may help reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation leads to chronic disease like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Explore our Ingredient Guide for more tips on choosing the freshest, most flavorful picks for your recipes. Because great ingredients = great food! 🌟🍴
Serving Suggestions for Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
These crispy roasted sticks are perfect for:
- A kid-friendly veggie side
- A healthier alternative to fries
- Dipping in marinara, ranch, or tzatziki
- Serving with sandwiches, pasta, or grain bowls
Learn how to build a healthy balanced meal with our Whole Life Plate, meal plan, and book!
Storage & Reheat Tips
Leftovers? No problem! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a 450°F oven or air fryer for a few minutes until crisp. Avoid the microwave; it makes them soggy.
Craving more roasted vegetable recipes with Parmesan?
We have lots!!
Parmesan Garlic Roasted Potatoes
Lemon Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan
Share the Love – Leave Us a Review!
Unlike many other recipe blogs, we encourage you to tweak our recipes to suit your taste. Try it out, leave us a review, and tell us what changes you made! We love hearing how you make it your own.
FAQS
How do you keep zucchini sticks from getting soggy?
Can I make Parmesan zucchini sticks in the air fryer?
Do I need to peel the zucchini first?
Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of panko?
Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis (1- 1½ pounds)
- 1 Tablespoon canola oil
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅕ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons Panko
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450ºF.
- Cut ends off zucchinis. Cut in half the short way. To create zucchini sticks, cut each half lengthwise, then into lengthwise halves or thirds again, depending on the size of the zucchini. Dry sticks with a paper towel.
- Combine oil, granulated garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, and pepper in a bowl. Add zucchini and using clean hands or a spatula, toss to coat. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and Panko on top, and toss to coat again.
- Spread zucchini sticks on a baking sheet in a single layer. Place cut sides down for best browning. Press any loose topping onto sticks. Roast ~12 minutes or until the sides touching the pan are brown and sticks are easily pierced with a fork. Enjoy!
