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    Home » Recipes » Antipasti and Light Bites

    Fried Zucchini Pizza Bites

    Published: Jul 30, 2020, Last updated: Aug 2, 2020 by Emily This post may contain affiliate links.

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    A pinterest graphic for zucchini pizza bites

    Looking for a fun party snack or appetizer? These Fried Zucchini Pizza Bites are sure to impress! Coated in crispy and crunchy breadcrumbs then topped with tomato sauce and bubbling mozzarella cheese. Super fun and delicious!

    An overhead shot of zucchini pizza bites on a marble cutting board

    These zucchini pizza bites are so much fun for parties, I mean everyone loves pizza-inspired appetizers and these are so delicious!

    Fresh zucchini with a crispy breadcrumb coating and topped with rich tomato and creamy, melted mozzarella cheese. So much fun and completely veggie!

    You can get creative with different toppings, I personally love adding some gorgonzola cheese on top and they can even be prepared in advance so all you need to do is pop them in the oven just before your guests arrive.

    Looking for more delicious ideas? Check out our Italian appetizers and antipasti recipes!

    Ingredients you need

    The ingredients are super simple, all you need is; breadcrumbs (panko breadcrumbs work great), zucchini, eggs, flour, crushed strained tomatoes (passata), mozzarella, oregano and olive oil.

    An overhead shot of all the ingredients you need to make zucchini pizza bites

    How to make Fried Zucchini Pizza Bites - step by step

    First cut the zucchini into ¼ inch thick rounds (photo 1).

    Dip the zucchini in flour, beaten egg and breadcrumbs until they're all coated in breadcrumbs (photos 2-4).

    Step by step photos showing how to bread rounds of zucchini

    Shallow fry the zucchini in olive oil until golden brown and crispy on both sides, drain on kitchen paper (photos 5 & 6).

    Arrange the fried zucchini bites on a baking tray and spoon a small amount of tomato passata (crushed strained tomatoes) on top of each one (photo 7).

    Step by step photos showing how to cook zucchini pizza bites

    Finally, top each piece of zucchini with mozzarella and bake until melted, golden and bubbling (photo 8).

    Top tips and recipe FAQs

    • Breading - I recommend using a fork to dip the zucchini in egg and breadcrumbs, it's less messy.
    • Toppings - you can get creative with the toppings why not try different cheese or salami?
    Can I make these low carb?

    To make these zucchini pizza bites low carb simply skip the breading and frying. Instead top each piece of zucchini with tomato and cheese and bake.

    Can I bake them instead of fry?

    Yes, you can bake the breaded zucchini instead but you'll need to spray them with oil so they're crispy and golden. Turn half way through baking to crispy up the other side before adding toppings.

    Can I use other vegetables to make pizza bites?

    If you don't have zucchini then I recommend using eggplant (aubergine) it works just as well!

    How long do they last?

    leftover pizza bites will keep well in the fridge for 1-2 days but are best served immediately.

    A close up of a zucchini pizza bite

    More Italian appetizers you might like

    • Bruschetta al Pomodoro
    • Easy Marinated Olives - 5 min recipe
    • Creamy White Bean Dip
    • Sausage Stuffed Olives
    • Rosemary Focaccia Bread

    If you’ve tried these Zucchini Pizza Bites or any other recipe on the blog please let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m getting up to.

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    5 from 1 vote

    Fried zucchini pizza bites

    Looking for a fun party snack or appetizer? These Fried Zucchini Pizza Bites are sure to impress! Coated in crispy and crunchy breadcrumbs then topped with tomato sauce and bubbling mozzarella cheese. Super fun and delicious!
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Italian
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 35 minutes
    Servings 12 Servings
    Calories 104kcal
    Author Emily Kemp

    Ingredients

    • 2 zucchini
    • 1.5 cup breadcrumbs (130g)
    • 2 eggs whisked
    • ⅔ cup crushed strained tomatoes (passata) 150g
    • 3 heaped tbsp plain flour
    • 1 cup mozzarella (125g)
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • salt and pepper to season
    • olive oil for frying

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
    • Arrange the flour, breadcrumbs and eggs into seperate dishes and add a pinch of salt to each of them.
    • Slice the zucchini into rounds about ¼ inch thick and toss them in the flour, shake to remove any excess then dip the slices one by one in the egg and then roll in breadcrumbs until completely covered.
    • Add around ¼ inch of olive oil to a frying pan under a medium heat and fry the zucchini slices in batches until golden brown on each side. Set aside on kitchen paper for a minute to drain.
    • Add the oregano, tomatoes and a pinch of salt and pepper to a bowl, mix together. Place the zucchini slices on a lined baking tray and top each slice with equal amounts of tomato and then mozzarella.
    • Bake in the oven for around 15 minutes until the mozzarella is bubbling and melted. Serve warm.

    Notes

    • Breading - I recommend using a fork to dip the zucchini in egg and breadcrumbs, it's less messy.
    • Toppings - you can get creative with the toppings why not try different cheese or salami?
    • leftovers - leftover pizza bites will keep well in the fridge for 1-2 days but are best served immediately.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 174mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 239IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 1mg
    Helpful Info for All Recipes
    • I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise
    • When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavour.
    • All vegetables are medium sized unless stated otherwise
    • All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven
    • Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
    • Check out our must have Italian Pantry Staples.
    • You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @insidetherustickitchen or tag #insidetherustickitchen! We'd love you see what you're getting up to in the kitchen!

    This post was first published on April 11 2017 but has since been updated.

    More Antipasti and Light Bites

    • Artichoke Bruschetta (Quick, Easy & Delicious)
    • Artichoke Pesto (Quick 5 minute Recipe)
    • Italian Stuffed Eggplant (Mozzarella and Tomato)
    • Burrata and Anchovy Sandwich from Amalfi

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nathan

      August 29, 2017 at 6:26 pm

      These were so delicious, great idea!5 stars

      Reply
    2. Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon

      April 13, 2017 at 8:37 pm

      So tasty looking! I love the idea of using a zucchini slice as the base of the pizza! I would definitely enjoy them with a nice glass prosecco. 🙂

      Reply
      • Inside the rustic kitchen

        April 13, 2017 at 8:40 pm

        So glad you like them, thanks Annemarie ☺️

        Reply
    3. Luci's Morsels

      April 13, 2017 at 8:00 pm

      What a fun and delicious recipe! I love the combination. Yummy! Going to try this one for sure. Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.

      Reply
      • Inside the rustic kitchen

        April 13, 2017 at 8:39 pm

        Thanks so much Luci, hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Deepika

      April 13, 2017 at 7:24 pm

      These look tempting. My little one would love these. Will give them a try.

      Reply
      • Inside the rustic kitchen

        April 13, 2017 at 8:39 pm

        Hope you enjoy them ☺️

        Reply
    5. Sandi G

      April 13, 2017 at 7:19 pm

      What a delicious kid-friendly dinner idea. I know my kids would love this.

      Reply
      • Inside the rustic kitchen

        April 13, 2017 at 8:38 pm

        Brilliant! Thanks so much Sandi.

        Reply
    6. sue | theviewfromgreatisland

      April 13, 2017 at 7:00 pm

      These are absolutely brilliant ~ fried zucchini is my favorite appetizer ever!

      Reply
      • Inside the rustic kitchen

        April 13, 2017 at 8:38 pm

        Ah really, they are so good aren't they?

        Reply

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