These zucchini bites make a fun and easy appetizer or snack. Like mini pizzas, zucchini rounds are topped with marinara sauce and parmesan cheese. Baked until the cheese is gooey and golden, these zucchini bites pack a lot of flavor in a little bite!
Getting my brother to eat vegetables can be a challenge at times. (For context, this is the same brother who loves Cheez-its as mentioned in the Sourdough Cheese Crackers post.) Broccoli? Forget it. Brussel Sprouts? No way. Zucchini? Absolutely not.
Then one day, our neighbor brought over a plate of these incredible zucchini snacks that combined all the flavors of pizza in one tasty bite. Thinly sliced zucchini spread with marinara sauce and topped with a bit of parmesan melted in our mouths. Needless to say, my brother found this form of zucchini to be tolerable. Delicious even.
Capitalizing on this opportunity, we decided to make some of our own at home, and he enjoyed them just as much as our neighbor’s. Even now with braces, he can still eat these snacks, making them an excellent way to sneak in some veggies.
While I’m not saying these zucchini bites are super healthy, at least they’re a fun way to eat some vegetables that normally might not be all that yummy. Plus, they’re vegetarian and gluten-free so they’re perfect for entertaining guests with allergies. You can also make them dairy-free by using dairy-free cheese instead of the parmesan.
If my pickiest sibling liked these, you will too! Read on to make a batch for your family’s dinner tonight.
How to make Zucchini Pizza Bites
It’s really easy to make zucchini pizza bites. Just slice zucchini into thin rounds, top with marinara sauce, sprinkle with parmesan and bake! They’re such a simple yet flavorful snack to make. Keep reading to find a list of ingredients and instructions for baking them!
Can I use another cheese besides parmesan?
You could also top these zucchini bites with shredded mozzarella and still preserve the Italian flavor. Shredded cheddar or Colby jack would work too, but the zucchini bites wouldn’t have the same pizza-like flavor. You could also use dairy-free cheese if you need. Feel free to experiment and see which cheese you prefer to top them with!
Tips for making Zucchini Bites
- I highly recommend using a mandolin slicer to thinly cut the zucchini into even rounds. If this is your first time using a mandolin though, it may take a few trials to figure out exactly how thick you want the zucchini to be. Just be patient, and even if you don’t end up with perfect rounds, you can still use them. They may just take a bit longer or shorter to cook, so watch them carefully while they bake.
- If you don’t have a mandolin, you can use a really sharp knife to cut the zucchini into little rounds. Try to cut them about 1/8″ thick if you can.
- Want to add a bit of heat to these zucchini bites? Feel free to mix 1/2 tsp of red pepper in with the parmesan mixture for a little added kick. 🙂
- My guess is that you won’t have any leftovers, but if you do, you can store them in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They can be reheated, but really do taste best on the first day right out of the oven.
Tools you will need
To make these zucchini bites, you’ll need a mandolin slicer, a baking tray, and parchment paper.
Ingredients you will need
You only really need 3 ingredients plus herbs to make these snacks.
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- pepper to taste
How to make these Zucchini Bites
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a convection setting on your oven, you can use it to make sure your zucchini bites cook evenly.
Wash the zucchini and slice off the stem. Use a mandolin to thinly slice the zucchini into rounds. It may take a couple tries to get the mandolin adjusted to the right thickness. The zucchini slices should be about 1/8″ thick.
If you don’t have a mandolin, you can also use a sharp knife to thinly slice the zucchini into rounds.
Place the zucchini rounds on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 5 minutes.
While the zucchini bakes, combine the parmesan and spices in a small bowl.
When the zucchini is done baking, use a spoon to top each zucchini round with about 1/2 tsp of marinara sauce (I don’t really measure, but that’s an estimate if you prefer to measure).
Next, sprinkle a little bit of the parmesan mixture on each zucchini round, again about 1/2 tsp.
Bake for 8 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown. Sprinkle with cracked pepper if desired, and serve!
Did you enjoy this recipe?
If so, make sure to explore other simple recipes at the Kitchen Counter! Here are a few quick snack ideas you might also enjoy:
Zucchini Bites
These zucchini bites make a fun and easy appetizer. Like mini pizzas, these snacks are topped with marinara sauce and parmesan, then baked until the cheese is gooey and golden.
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Wash the zucchini and slice off the stem. Use a mandolin to thinly slice the zucchini into rounds.
- Place the zucchini rounds on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 5 minutes.
- While the zucchini bakes, combine the parmesan and spices in a small bowl.
- When the zucchini is done baking, use a spoon to top each zucchini round with about 1/2 tsp of marinara sauce (I don't really measure, but that's an estimate if you want to).
- Next, sprinkle a little bit of the parmesan mixture on each zucchini round, again about 1/2 tsp.
- Bake for 8 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown. Sprinkle with cracked pepper if desired, and serve!
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 47Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 5mgSodium 211mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 3g
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