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Do you ever get weird cravings? I have been craving Fried Zucchini for weeks now! I used to LOVE the ones that we got from Carl's Jr in Fresno, California. I don't know if all of the Carl's Jr restaurants serve them, but they were awesome! So was the Mexican food...like I said, I'm not sure if all of the restaurants sell them or not. Fresno was a test market for new products, so we always got to try out fun new things.....
While my Fried Zucchini is not an exact copy, they are actually better than the originals.
How to make Fried Zucchini:
I used panko crumbs instead of bread crumbs, so they were really light and crispy! I also tried to keep all of my zucchini at a 1/2-inch, so they would not be too thick.....
I prefer my zucchini to be cooked and not raw at all in the center. 😉 I again used my favorite breading trick, I used brown rice flour to coat the zucchini. I also decided to season it with some garlic and onion powder, as well as some paprika.....
My onion and garlic powder has parsley mixed in, so ignore the green flecks. 😉 It adds a subtle flavor, without being overpowering. Dredge the zucchini slices through the seasoned flour.....
Then dip it in the beaten egg.....
and the panko crumbs.....
It is best to coat all of the zucchini before you start frying, you don't want to get distracted!
Or if you are like me, you don't want to make a bigger mess than you have to. 😉 Heat about 1/2 an inch of oil in a heavy bottom pot or Dutch oven to 350 degrees.....
Once you reach 350, carefully drop several zucchini slices into the oil.....
You don't want to overcrowd the pan, or drop the temperature too much. You want it to stay as close to 350 as you can. If the oil is not hot enough, the zucchini will be oily because they are sitting in the oil longer. If the oil is too hot, the outside will cook too quickly, and the inside will not be cooked at all.
Cook the zucchini for 3 to 5 minutes, until golden brown.....
Remove zucchini with a wire strainer or tongs, and place on paper towels to drain.....
Serve with Homemade Ranch Dressing.....
and try to share with others! I know, it's hard. They are so delicious.....
I never seem to remember to make my Homemade Ranch Dressing ahead of time, so it always looks very thin in photographs. I promise, it really does thicken up when it's cold. 🙂 As you can see, I did not let that stop me! 😉
more delicious zucchini recipes:
- Zucchini Fritter with Pine Nut Dipping Sauce
- Zucchini Shrimp Scampi
- Sauteed Zucchini and Carrots
- Grilled Summer Squash Pizza
- Sheet Pan Greek Chicken Dinner
Enjoy!!
Fried Zucchini
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 1/2 cup brown rice flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 1/4 cups panko crumbs
- 1/2- inch oil for frying I used peanut oil
- Ranch Dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Season flour with garlic, onion, and paprika and place on a large plate.
- Place eggs in a bowl and beat to combine.
- Place panko on a large plate.
- Dredge zucchini slices through the flour, dip in the egg, and coat with panko crumbs.
- It is best to coat all of the zucchini before you start frying. Place on a large plate as you go along.
- Heat about 1/2 an inch of oil in the bottom of a heavy bottom pot, to 350 degrees.
- Place several zucchini in the pot and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until golden brown.
- Remove from pan, and place on paper towels to drain.
- Serve with Creamy Ranch Dressing.
Baby June says
That looks great! Awesome use for zucchini 🙂
Lisa Johnson says
Thanks so much, it's my favorite way to eat zucchini. 😉
Claire @ A Little Claireification says
Yum! We love fried zucchini! Looks like it's time to bust our deep fryer again. Any excuse. lol Pinned!
Lisa Johnson says
It is one of my favorites!! Thanks Claire. 🙂
Cindy Eikenberg says
Lisa, these are a great little snack and love that you used panko. Sounds like a perfect snack while watching a game - which we'll be doing a lot of around here, between baseball and football! 🙂 Thanks for sharing and pinning! Have a happy Monday!
Lisa Johnson says
They will be perfect while watching a game Cindy!! Thanks so much. 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
ooh this looks delicious.. never thought to deep fry zucchini like that, i bet it tastes amazing!
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you so much Thalia...they were insanely good! 🙂
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says
I am always intimidated by frying....but these look so delicious I might need to get over my fear!! Pinning & sharing!
Lisa Johnson says
LOL, I wish I had a fear of frying Cathy!! I use a deep pot so there is less splatter, but it is soooo simple to do. Waaaaay too simple to do. 😉
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
I could make a meal out of just this!! Yum!! On a side note, I grew up on the East coast and I have always called it Hardee's ...... even though I have lived in AZ for over a year now, I still cannot call it Carl's Jr LOL!! Btw, I think it must be a Fresno thing, I don't think our "Carl's Jr" here in Phoenix carries fried zucchini?!
Lisa Johnson says
I did make a meal out of them Jamie, shhh;) I was so confused when we moved to Iowa, and the Carl's Jr sign had Hardee's name printed on it! It's not the same, they taste different...and we still call it Carl's Jr after 15 years!!
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you so much Claudia. 🙂
Amy @thelittlefarmdiary says
These look so delicious! Yum, yum, yum!
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you so much Amy! 🙂
bill @thewoksoflife says
What a lovely execution of a classic recipe and great photos!
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you so much Bill. 🙂
Aida @ TheCraftingFoodie says
Lisa,
That is some gorgeous looking fried zucchini! I love the spice mixture that you dredged the veggies in before frying. My family would love this!
Bobbi says
Love fried zucchini and squashers 🙂 Recipe sounds great!!
Pinning it!
Thanks for sharing!
andi says
Oh. Freaking. Yum. Zucchini is in my top 3 veggies of all time, along with asparagus and I can't remember what the other one might be. I must try this magical recipe....
-andi
Lisa Johnson says
Bahaha, thank you Andi...you just made my night...wait morning, it's almost 1am! 🙂 Yes, you must try...you will love!!
J. Lee says
The Carl's Jr located on Grand Ave, just south of Bell Rd. in Surprise, Az does carry Fried Zucchini.
Lisa Johnson says
OMGosh, thank you so much for letting me know!!