Crispy Zucchini Fries Recipe (Vegan)

Make crispy zucchini fries with a dairy-free garlic cashew dip for an incredible snack or appetizer. They are incredibly crispy, made in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients, and great for summer. They can easily be either fried or baked.

Let's talk about zucchini for a second. Like many vegetables, it doesn't have the best reputation. And I'm not surprised: on it's own, it's pretty bland and boring. Even though I'm not a fussy eater at all (I'll eat pretty much anything as long as it's vegan), I wouldn't bring myself to eat plain zucchini.

But depending on how you prepare it, zucchini can be completely transformed and turned super delicious. As proof, I've already made zucchini bread and zucchini fritters. I even have a savory oatmeal recipe featuring this vegetable! As you can see, it's incredibly versatile and works well in so many recipes.

This recipe for zucchini fries is no exception. Over the past few weeks, I've made these countless times, and each time they disappear within minutes and that's no exaggeration. If you're looking for a new way to make vegetables taste good and love salty, savory snacks, this is the perfect idea for you! And you won't believe how straightforward they are to make, too.

Amazing crispy zucchini fries

I am sure that you will love these vegan zucchini fries as much as I do! They are:

• Perfectly crunchy.
• Easy and beginner-friendly.
• Made using simple ingredients.
• Ready in under 30 minutes.
• A delicious way to cook zucchini.
• Ideal for warm weather.

You can serve them either as a snack, a side dish or an appetizer. Vegetable fries like this are great for BBQs and outdoor gatherings: they will certainly impress vegans and non-vegans alike. Even people who usually don't like vegetables will change their mind!

How to make vegan fried zucchini

Prepare the zucchini

You have a couple of options here. You can either cut the zucchini into fries, or into circles. Both options work well. To cut the zucchini into fries, firstly remove the ends, then half the zucchini horizontally. Then, proceed to cut each half into 4 segments. You can proceed to half these once more for thinner fries.

Make the breading

Making the breading is very easy. Simply add flour, paprika, garlic powder, breadcrumbs and nutritional yeast to a large mixing bowl and whisk together. The nutritional yeast is optional, but does help to add a cheesy flavor. You can also add any other spices of your choice depending on personal preference.

Bread the zucchini

Dip each zucchini fry into plant based milk, then into the breading. Make sure that it's evenly-coated, and shake off any excess plant based milk before dipping it into the breadcrumb mixture.

Fry the zucchini

Heat a thin layer of olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat for around 30 seconds. Next, add the zucchini fries and cook for around 3-4 minutes, rotating around once every minute using kitchen tongs, until crispy and golden brown on all sides. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels before moving onto the next batch.

Garlic cashew dip

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I served these vegan zucchini fries with a quick homemade garlic cashew dip. It's so easy to make, and great if you're in a rush. And it's incredibly good, too, with a smooth texture and a cheesy garlicky flavor.

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You need just 5 ingredients: soaked cashews, plant based milk, vegan cheese, garlic and miso paste. Simply blend all the ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth and serve with the fried zucchini for ultimate deliciousness!

Tips for success

• This recipe also works really well with other vegetables, such as carrots and bell peppers.
• Make sure that the fries are even-sized so that they all cook at the same time.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan - it's much better to work in batches.
• Add more oil to the pan as necessary to ensure that the zucchini fries don't burn or stick.
• To ensure the best crispiness, these fries are best eaten straight away. But you can keep them in the fridge for up to 2-3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven at 200 degrees C (400 F) for around 10 minutes.

How to bake zucchini fries

Crispy zucchini is just as easy to make in the oven, and is just as tasty. Simply preheat the oven to 200 degrees C (400 F) and line a large baking tray with parchment paper. Arrange the breaded zucchini on the baking tray, making sure not to overcrowd. Bake for around 25-30 minutes until crispy and golden brown, rotating half way through using kitchen tongs.

Can these be made in the air fryer?

These zucchini fries can definitely be made in the air fryer! Simply place them into the air fryer basket in a single layer and fry for 15 minutes at 200 degrees C (400 F). Work in batches until you use up all the zucchini.

How to make zucchini fries gluten-free

There's a number of ways you can make this recipe gluten-free. Firstly, you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs, but if you can't find any, ground almonds make a great alternative. For the flour, you can use an all-purpose gluten-free flour mix, or another gluten-free flour of your choice. The chickpea and buckwheat varieties work well for this recipe.

Serving suggestions

If you want to switch up the garlic cashew dip for something else, you can also serve them with:

• Vegan sour cream
• Chunky guacamole
• Ketchup
• Spicy cashew cream
• Vegan BBQ sauce

Other delicious vegan snack recipes

• If you love fries, try out my crispy sweet potato wedges!
• My vegan cashew cheese is great for spreading on toast.
• Cauliflower wings with an almond dip take cauliflower to the next level!
• Try out vegan 'chicken' nuggets with a dip of your choice.

If you give this crispy zucchini fries recipe a go, be sure to tag me on Instagram (@ohmyveggies) and leave your feedback in the comments below together with a star rating! I love hearing from you.