Description
Zucchini garlic bites bring Mediterranean flavors to appetizer tables with crispy, golden-brown edges. Herb-infused and packed with parmesan, these small morsels offer a delightful crunch you’ll quickly devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded zucchini, drained well
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Bread and Seasoning:
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (or 1 tablespoon dried chives)
- 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)
Aromatics and Seasoning:
- 1 clove garlic, grated fine
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 400F (200C) and lightly coat a baking sheet with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Grate zucchini using a box grater, then transfer to a clean kitchen towel. Squeeze firmly to remove excess moisture thoroughly.
- Finely grate garlic using the smallest holes on the grater to release maximum flavor.
- Combine zucchini, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, parmesan, chives, parsley, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Blend ingredients until well incorporated.
- Form mixture into compact bite-sized spheres using a tablespoon, ensuring even size and smooth surface.
- Arrange zucchini balls on prepared baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between each bite.
- Roast in preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until exterior turns golden brown and crispy edges develop.
- Remove from oven and let cool momentarily to set texture. Serve immediately with marinara sauce for optimal taste and temperature.
Notes
- Squeeze zucchini thoroughly to remove excess moisture, ensuring crispy and well-formed bites that won’t become soggy.
- Experiment with alternative breadcrumbs like gluten-free or almond meal for dietary restrictions and added texture.
- Use fresh herbs when possible for more vibrant and intense flavor profiles in the zucchini bites.
- Customize seasonings by adding red pepper flakes or switching herbs to match your preferred taste preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 116
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 135 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg