There’s certainly no shortage of amazing zucchini recipes. However, when it comes to appetizers, you can’t beat these recipes. From crispy fritters to pizza bites, your guests will devour every last one of these scrumptious hors d’oeuvres. What’s so fabulous about zucchini is it’s like the multi-tool of veggies. You can turn it into so many tasty things to easily achieve a crowd-pleasing platter. From summer barbecues to weddings, there’s a zucchini appetizer on this list ready to dazzle and delight.
1. Zucchini Bruschetta
Turn bruschetta into the perfect low-carb bite with this recipe. Crisp zucchini replaces the bread while still getting the classic sensational cheesy tomato topping. You’ll want to brush the zucchini slices with olive oil so they can crisp up and hold the toppings. Otherwise, they’ll be too soggy. This is a great dish for a keto crowd or anyone who can appreciate a phenomenal appetizer.
2. Zucchini Fritters
Talk about crisp zucchini! These fritters are like a mix between a hash brown and latke only with zucchini instead. You can have this five-ingredient appetizer hot and ready in less than 30 minutes. While dipping sauce is optional, I think a zesty avocado crema would taste divine. Either way, your guest will love biting into these crunchy, flavorful fritters.
3. Hasselback Zucchini Pizza
You don’t need pizza dough when you’ve got this Hasselback pizza! Building this pizza is super easy. All you do is layer zucchini, pepperoni, and cheese, then bake. Aside from how easy this is, the great thing about this recipe is you can easily double or even triple the serving size to feed a crowd. This fun appetizer is an awesome choice for kid birthday parties, game days, and more.
4. Zucchini Meatballs
Zucchini meatballs are a vegetarian take on an Italian delicacy. Each meatless meatball is bursting with fresh flavors like basil, lemon, and of course, zucchini. And if you think these puppies taste great, wait until you try the sauce! The rich marinara is packed with spinach and creamy ricotta cheese. Serving can get a little messy, so a toothpick in each meatball may help you get this from platter to plate.
5. Veggie Zucchini Roll-Ups
Looking for a garden-fresh recipe that will appease your guests without ruining the main course? These veggie zucchini roll-ups are the ideal solution. They’re the epitome of light and tasty. You smear Caesar dressing on lengthwise slices of zucchini and roll them up with raw veggies inside. If you’re not big on Caesar, any creamy dressing will do. Or, you can skip the dressing and opt for hummus instead. Roasted garlic along with cilantro and jalapeno hummus are my two favorite choices, but to each their own.
6. Chipotle Zucchini Boats
This recipe is brilliant! It involves stuffing zucchini halves with a cheesy and crunchy filling. The tricky part is hauling out the zucchinis without puncturing their skin. I find a melon baller is the best tool for the job, but a spoon works, too. Just make sure the spoon you’re using isn’t wider than the flesh.
7. Zucchini Fries
Fries don’t have to be a complete diet wrecker. Case in point, these zucchini fries. Each one of these juicy fries is dredged in a panko breadcrumb coating flavored with parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. They’re then baked until nice and crispy. Crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, zucchini fries will be your new addiction.
8. Baked Zucchini Hummus Bites
These low-carb and low-calorie hummus bites are a dandy snack that require minimal effort and time. You’ll simply pop zucchini in the oven for a few minutes, then top them with fixings. I like the fresh snap of the bell pepper and the bite from the feta. As for hummus, there’s no right or wrong flavor. You could match these with roasted bell pepper or try spinach and artichoke hummus. You can even get fancy with it and serve this with an array of different hummus flavors.
9. Zucchini Pesto Puff Pastry Tart
Puff pastry is a lifesaver when it comes to entertaining and that includes this fantastic recipe. This spectacular creation is rife with fresh zucchini and flaky puff pastry. I’m particularly fond of the pesto spread that keeps this light while adding a burst of flavor. While the recipe doesn’t call for it, I think some goat cheese stuffed squash blossom flowers will be the perfect match.
10. Zucchini, Cherry Tomato, and Gorgonzola Bites
Heading out on a camping trip or throwing a summer barbecue bash? These bites are terrific for the grill! You’ll hollow out zucchini slices, then pack each one with cherry tomato and gorgonzola cheese. Fresh, tangy, and sharp, this recipe hits the spot!
11. Zucchini Parmesan Squares
Holiday or potluck, this savory dish is fit for a crowd. It’s cheesy, fresh, and gluten-free. Unlike other appetizers, this one doesn’t require meticulous assembly. You can whip it up in a casserole dish so you can prep and transport the dish without worrying about it falling apart.
12. Zucchini Dip
Who doesn’t love a yummy dip! This dip is packed with veggies, cream cheese, and garlic, making it a nice balance between indulgent and healthy. I like to serve this with a platter of crackers and veggie sticks. Although, it would taste sensational smeared on some baked zucchini rounds, too.
13. Stuffed Zucchini Flowers
This is one of the most requested appetizers I get asked to bring to parties. It’s a fun and delightful use of zucchini flowers that are great for a range of occasions. Weddings, birthdays, barbecues, you name it! You’ll stuff, batter, and fry zucchini flowers with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese packed on the inside. I find goat cheese also works well with this finger food. Each blossom is jammed with so much flavor you won’t even need a dip!
14. Spinach Artichoke Zucchini Bites
I love how eye-catching this appetizer looks, and even more how simple it is to make. Each little hors d’oeuvre is an immaculate bite of garlicky spinach and artichoke spread on top of a juicy zucchini round. If you have an air fryer, I highly recommend busting it out. Air frying gives zucchini the ideal firm yet juicy texture to serve the creamy topping.
15. Zucchini Pizza Bites
Pizza isn’t the most low-carb dish, but this recipe is! It takes thin slices of zucchini and turns them into mini-pizza bites. Cheese, mini pepperoni, and marinara keep the toppings simple and easy. However, you can mix it up depending on the company. This recipe is great for kids, but I know quite a few adults who love it, too.
16. Zucchini Tots
Love tots? Try them with zucchini! These tiny tots are super crispy and totally poppable. Appetizer or side dish, whip up a batch of this comforting finger food and I guarantee there won’t be a tot left in sight. Between the fresh zucchini and the parmesan, I find zucchini tots to be more flavorful than regular tater tots. To make these perfectly crisp, you’ll want to remove as much water content from your grated zucchini before baking.
17. Zucchini Chips
Zucchini chips are dangerously addicting. But luckily, they’re not too bad for you. They’re a healthier take on the typical greasy potato chips you get from a bag. What’s even better than that is they’re super fresh. You’ll want to slice them razor-thin, so they don’t turn out soggy. A mandolin slicer is the best way to cut them if you have one. Oh, and if you’ve looking to cut down on oil, I recommend making these in an air fryer. Click on a star to rate it!
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