Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks are topped with a simple cheese herb mixture and ready in 30 minutes. This simple snack or side dish is big on flavor, low calorie, and ready to be enjoyed plain or with your favorite dip!

During zucchini season we also love to make Mediterranean zucchini boats and this list of healthy zucchini recipes comes in handy!

Baked parmesan zucchini cut into halves with herbs stacked on top of each other.

Baked Parmesan zucchini is one of the easiest healthy sides ever! What I like is 10 minute prep, how firm zucchini turns out and melted herbed Parmesan cheese on top.

And those burnt bits on the bottom of the baking sheet are the best! Zucchini with Parmesan cheese is a match made in heaven, lots of flavor and little calories.

Zucchini tomato bake and healthy zucchini casserole are two other cheesy sides we love, and when I am out of Parmesan I make grilled zucchini. Zucchini is truly one of my favorite versatile veggies!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Nutritious: Zucchini is low calorie, low fat but high in fiber. Which means you can eat a lot of zucchini with little calories and keep your belly full longer.
  • Affordable: It’s easy to grow, budget friendly and found year round at the grocery store.
  • Simple: 5 ingredients and that includes salt and pepper.
  • Easy: Less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
  • Family friendly: The neutral flavor of zucchini makes it so versatile!

These zucchini slices also are made without any oil, are egg free and naturally gluten free without any breadcrumbs in sight!

Zucchini sticks stacked.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Parmesan zucchini recipe is delicious with just 5 simple ingredients!

  • Zucchini: This recipe works best with small-medium zucchini you can just cut in halves. If you have large garden zucchini, cut into 2 inch thick rounds.
  • Parmesan cheese: Nothing beats freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-grated cheese in a shaker works but doesn’t taste the same as it contains fillers like cellulose. I usually buy fresh Parmesan hunk at Costco, cut a piece to use for now and freeze the rest.
  • Dried oregano: You can also use dried basil, thyme or Italian spice mix in equal amount or any combination of them.
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

How to Make Baked Parmesan Zucchini

While zucchini naturally contains a lot of water, it is all retained inside the wedges.

Zucchini cut in halves on cutting board.

Slice zucchini in halves, so their flat surface will hold cheese and spices. Place zucchini on large baking sheet.

Cheese herb mixture in a bowl.

Make cheese herb mixture by combining Parmesan cheese, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

Zucchini halves sprinkled with cheese and herbs.

Sprinkle mixture on top of zucchini, about 1 1/2 tsp per each slice. When spreading, go slow so precious bits do not fall on the baking sheet and stay there.

Parmesan zucchini sticks baked on a baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, then broil for 5 minutes. Broiling ensures the planks get nice and crunchy!

Tips for Best Results

  • Excess moisture: If your zucchini seems watery after slicing, sprinkle with salt, let rest 10 minutes and then pat dry with towel.
  • Size of zucchini slices: Larger zucchini cut in half will be more firm after cooking. If you prefer more tender results, try cutting your halves into quarters or try sticks aka Parmesan zucchini fries. If you are cutting zucchini rounds, thicker rounds will be more firm, thinner rounds more tender.
  • Even slices: No matter your cutting choice, aim for roughly the same size for all your pieces so it cooks evenly.
  • Love garlic? Me too! Add some garlic powder to your Parmesan and herb mixture.
  • Crunchier results: Add a few crushed sourdough croutons or panko bread crumbs to your cheese herb mixture.

FAQs

Is baked zucchini parmesan healthy?

Yes! Courgette aka zucchini aka summer squash is high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, vitamins C, B, K and potassium.

This oven roasted zucchini recipe uses minimal ingredients with Parmesan cheese being the only ingredient with additional calories. But with it’s robust taste, we only need a minimal amount.

How do you keep zucchini from getting soggy in the oven?

#1 reason for soggy zucchini is over-cooking it. Unlike firmer veggies, zucchini has high water content. It means that if you overcook it, water starts to seep out. Do not overbake and know that ovens vary, so you know your oven best. Also cut it into larger pieces because they are hard to overcook.

Can I make this in the air fryer?

Possibly, but it has not been tested. I would try at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes then check. Also, consult your air fryer manual for suggested cooking time.

What to serve these with?

Zucchini slices make a great side dish at dinner or literally eat by the stick for a snack. Drizzle or dip with healthy ranch dressing, marinara, salsa or pesto. Add protein like turkey burgers or turkey meatballs and you have a low carb dinner right there.

Storing Leftovers

Store: Baked zucchini stays fresh and firm in the fridge for up to 3 days, perfect for healthy lunch ideas. That is if crazy thing “leftovers” even possible with this yummy recipe.

Reheat: In the oven for a few minutes or if in a hurry the microwave. Microwave will be softer leftovers.

Another rule in life is to never freeze zucchini. They will thaw stringy and yucky.

More Zucchini Recipes

Enjoy, friends, and let me know how you liked baked Parmesan zucchini in the comments below.

A side view of baked parmesan zucchini sticks.
Parmesan zucchini sticks stacked on top of each other.

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks are topped with a simple cheese herb mixture and ready in 30 minutes. A simple side big on flavor and low calorie!
5 from 29 votes
Servings 16 servings
Calories 41
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Set aside.
  • Trim the ends of zucchini, then cut in halves and arrange on a baking sheet.
  • In a small bowl, mix Parmesan cheese, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper. Top each zucchini slice with approximately 1.5 tsp of cheese herb mixture, spreading evenly.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, then broil on High for 4 – 5 minutes or until cheese is crispy and golden.
  • Serve warm or cold as a side dish, appetizer or snack.

Video

Notes

  • Store: Refrigerate covered for up to 2 – 3 days. Do not freeze.
  • Garden zucchini: If you have large garden zucchini, cut it into 2″ thick rounds.
  • Dried herbs: Any combination of dried herbs works including Italian seasoning.
  • Fresh grated: Fresh Parmesan cheese tastes the best, not from a shaker.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 144mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: North American
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Could u please advise what “broil means” I have a standard gas oven so need help with this recipe, thank you

    1. Of course, if your oven doesn’t have a broil setting already set, it is usually around 500 degrees.

  2. 5 stars
    It was delicious we had it as a side with butternut squash wild rice and lamb for the holiday. I will make this again.

  3. 5 stars
    Very good snack!! Taste like pizza and hydrating… Just in reference to the 6 and 8 quart instant pot do I need to change your 6-quart recipes for 8-quart or no I noticed on some of the soup recipes you had a recipe for a 6 and a 8 quart just wondering thank you

    1. Soup recipes have more liquid and to the brim usually that’s why I specify IP size. If my recipe has no 8 quart special instructions then it can be made in both 6 or 8 quart using same recipe no changes.

  4. Hi I was wondering what’s the difference between a 6 quart and a 8 quart I know the size but I was wondering will I have to adjust all my 6-quart recipes to use an 8-quart? Thanks!

    1. Hi Renee! What type of parmesan cheese did you use? I recommend fresh parmesan. The parmesan cheese sold in the can will not melt as it has been processed several times to prevent clumping and therefore is prone to resist melting. Hope that helps!

      1. 5 stars
        I shredded them fresh from a parmesan block of cheese! Maybe it’s the parmesan block that I got….

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