Baked Parmesan Zucchini Curly Fries

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This healthy recipe combines two bar food favorites--fried zucchini and curly fries--into one tempting package. Serve these baked zucchini fries with a simple dipping sauce made with ranch dressing and marinara sauce for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a side dish for burgers, chicken or pizza. No matter what you serve them with, they're a fun way to eat more vegetables for kids and adults alike.

Prep Time:
30 mins
Additional Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 servings

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray

  • ¼ cup cornstarch

  • 4 large egg whites, lightly beaten

  • 1 cup panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs)

  • ¾ ounce Parmesan cheese, finely grated (see Tip)

  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano

  • 12 ounces spiralized zucchini noodles (see Tip)

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ cup light ranch dressing

  • ¼ cup lower-sodium marinara sauce

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; coat with cooking spray. Place cornstarch in a shallow dish. Place egg whites in a separate shallow dish. Stir together panko, Parmesan and oregano in a third shallow dish.

  2. Coarsely chop zucchini noodles into 5- or 6-inch-long pieces. Working in batches, dredge the noodles in the cornstarch; shake off excess. Dredge in the egg whites; shake off excess. Dredge in the panko mixture; shake off excess. Arrange the noodles, well spaced apart, in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Coat with cooking spray.

  3. Bake until golden and crispy, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with salt.

  4. Combine ranch and marinara in a shallow bowl; serve alongside the fries.

    baked parmesan zucchini curly fries on a plate

Tips

Tips: Finely grate Parmesan using the medium holes of box grater (you should get about 1/4 cup).

Look for a package of fresh zucchini noodles in the produce department, or make your own zucchini noodles; you'll need about 3 medium or 2 large zucchini for 12 ounces of zoodles.

Equipment: Parchment paper

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, April 2019

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

137 Calories
4g Fat
18g Carbs
6g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 1 cup fries & 2 Tbsp. sauce
Calories 137
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 18g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 6g 13%
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 4%
Cholesterol 4mg 1%
Vitamin A 101IU 2%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Folate 2mcg 0%
Sodium 340mg 15%
Calcium 48mg 4%
Iron 1mg 4%
Magnesium 5mg 1%
Potassium 240mg 5%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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