Too much Zucchini? Make some delicious Cheesy Zucchini Bites, double cheese makes these the perfect side dish or appetizer.
Cheesy Zucchini Bites
Cheesy Zucchini BitesWell we are heading into Zucchini Overload Season! But after you taste these Zucchini Bites made with double cheese, you will be glad to have a few extra zucchini hanging around.
I have to be honest and say I don’t have that overload of Zucchini that I used to have a few years ago. With my mother-in-law not planting anymore and the Italian a little bit on the lazy side with the garden (ok me too) I tend to be buying more and more veggies at the market.
What are the ingredients for Zucchini Bites
- Zucchini
- Firm Mozzarella
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- One Egg
- Bread Crumbs
- Fresh Parsley
- Garlic
- Salt and Pepper
These Double Cheese Zucchini Bites are very easy to put together and the ingredients are easy to find. And you probably already have them in your kitchen. Simple and Delicious, exactly what Summer is all about.
More Delicious Zucchini Recipes
Creamy Italian Zucchini Risotto
Zucchini Cake Donuts with Light Cream Cheese Frosting
These Zucchini Bites can be cooked a number of ways, including, deep-fried, which many Italians like to do, pan-fried which is the way I made them or even baked which would make these not only delicious but healthy too and only 40 calories for one!
Once the bites have been formed it is best to refrigerate them for about an hour or if your house is extremely hot like mine 2 or 3 hours would be best (you don’t want them to fall apart while cooking.
I actually left them in the fridge over night and cooked them the next day.
They can also be frozen, just place them uncooked in an airtight container or freezer bag (single layer) and they can be frozen for up to a month!
So whatever you make with your extra zucchini, I hope you will keep a couple aside and try these Cheesy Zucchini Bites. And of course don’t forget to let me know what you think of them. Buon Appetito!
Cheesy Zucchini Bites
Ingredients
FOR THE ZUCCHINI BITES
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium zucchini (chopped small)
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup shredded firm mozzarella (1 cup if you like it extra cheesy)
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 egg (large)
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons bread crumbs
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh chopped Italian parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1-2 dashes pepper
EXTRAS (FOR ROLLING)
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs (approximately for rolling)
Instructions
- In a medium frying pan add the olive oil, chopped zucchini, minced garlic, salt and water. Cook covered on medium low heat for approximately 10-15 minutes (make sure the zucchini does not brown, you want it tender), remove cover and continue to cook on low until the water has evaporated and zucchini is tender.
- Then remove from heat place in a large bowl and squish with a fork. To the bowl add the shredded mozzarella, parmesan cheese, egg, bread crumbs (1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons), parsley and pepper, combine gently until compact.
- Form into 19 balls, then roll the zucchini balls in the 1/4 cup of bread crumbs, place on a plate, cover with plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour**.
- Remove from the fridge and either deep fry in hot oil (350 F / 180 C) until golden, or pan fry in a little hot oil, turn once or twice until golden, or bake in a pre heated 350F / 180C oven for approximately 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle with a little salt before serving. Enjoy/!
Can be refrigerated overnight and cooked the next day.
Nutrition
Lindsey says
Do these have to be served hot?
Rosemary says
Hi Lindsey, they probably are best served warm, but I have eaten them room temperature. You could probably warm them up in the oven or microwave before serving.
Rachel Nicole says
Hello! We made these last night and enjoyed them overall. They were easy to make and was something different for our party, but we do have a couple of suggestions. We felt the zucchini was too wet when we cooked it in the pan and took a long time to reduce it down. We ended up pushing it through a fine sieve to release more of the water. The last suggestion would be to add some salt to the mixture before rolling it into breadcrumbs. Thanks for a great base recipe! We’ll make this again.
Patti says
Can’t wait to use up the 3 extra large fresh zucchini in my fridge I love zucchinis n yellow summer squash
Rosemary says
Hi Patti, thanks let me know how it goes. I hope you like it.
Billie Seaton says
On the cheesy zuck bites, do you use dried or fresh breadcrumbs?
Rosemary says
Hi Billie, I used dried breadcrumbs. I hope you like them. Let me know.
Cindy says
Is the nutrition information per bite or for the whole recipe? It doesn’t say what a serving size is.
Rosemary says
Hi Cindy, yes it’s the nutrition information for one bite. Hope you enjoy them. Have a great weekend.
Alyssa says
Approximately how many cups of chopped zucchini do you think it would be? Didn’t want to add too much/not enough and offset the proper consistency. Have a couple larger zucchini to use up
Rosemary says
Hi Alyssa, I would say about 1 1/2 cups, but start with a cup and if it isn’t firm enough and won’t roll into a ball, add the other 1/2 cup. Hope that helps.
Lorraine says
The zucchini bites were delicious. I made them like the zucchini pancakes of my childhood. I know my Italian mother would have loved them. Thanks for sharing!!
Rosemary says
Hi Lorraine, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed them. Have a great day.
2pots2cook says
Perfect when the heat is on, and believe me, it is on ! Thank you !
Rosemary says
Thanks so much, I know it’s unbearable.
Ann says
Who doesn’t love zucchini? I can eat it every day. Definitely going to make this recipe. Thank you and hope you’re enjoying your summer.
Rosemary says
Hi Ann, thanks so much, I agree I love it too. Yes great summer, a little too hot here in Italy but other than that! 🙂 I hope you are enjoying your summer too. Have a great weekend.
Shellie says
So i made these today, they were delicious.
We dipped them in ranch, then my husband started experimenting with different dips. Believe it or not we both loved them dipped in Apple syrup.
A little different but worth the try.
Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Rosemary says
Hi Shellie, thanks so glad you both enjoyed them. I will have to find some Apple syrup! Have a great weekend.
Shellie says
I am confused, is the 1/4 cup plus 2 T bread crumbs supposed to go in the zucchini mixture and then is there sn additional 1/4 cup for rolling the mixture in?
Rosemary says
Hi Shellie, yes the 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons go into the mixture and then there is an additional (approximate) 1/4 cup for rolling. I adjusted the recipe. 🙂
Ann says
Looks great! I’ve made zucchini bites that are grated, but I like this method. Question, is the calorie/nutrition info for a serving of one bite? Or several? I’m assuming that’s based on the baked variety rather than fried?
Rosemary says
Hi Ann, thanks and yeah sorry one bite and baked. I think the pan fried would maybe be an extra 20 calories. Deep fried, out of this world 🙂