These Crispy Zucchini Rings are golden, ridiculously crunchy, and paired with a rich, garlicky dip that will completely change how you look at zucchini leftovers. Simple ingredients, massive crunch, and the ultimate finger food for when you want something cozy but light.
My garden in Ukraine is absolutely exploding with zucchini this year, and honestly, if I could ship a box straight to your kitchen, I totally would—though they'd probably turn into mush by the time they crossed the ocean. 😂 So instead, let’s turn them into the coolest snack ever. We are cutting them into rings, coating them in a ridiculous amount of seasoned breadcrumbs, and baking them until they get so loudly crunchy. But the absolute best part? The zero-waste sauce. Turning those leftover hollowed-out centers into a rich, garlicky, cilantro-heavy cream is a total mind-blown moment. It’s the ultimate finger food. The kind where you sit on the couch with the whole warm baking sheet on your lap, dipping, making a massive mess with the crumbs, and just thinking, "Yeah, I'm definitely not sharing this with anyone."
▶️ Video Tutorial
❤️ Why You’ll Love These Crispy Zucchini Rings
👶 Perfect for kids (and picky eaters) It’s a total lifesaver if you have kids or a husband who normally look at greens like they're a punishment. Because they're so crunchy and fun to dip, they disappear in two seconds—nobody even cares that they're eating a vegetable.
♻️ You use the whole vegetable I love that nothing goes to waste here. While the rings are baking, you quickly make the sauce from the leftover centers. It feels so good to look at your cutting board at the end and see absolutely zero trash left behind.
🥳 The ultimate crowd-pleaser Whether you have friends coming over, family visiting, or you're just making a huge batch for the grandkids, this is the first plate that empties. It’s light, simple, and you can easily double the recipe when the house is full.
🙌 No deep frying mess You don’t have to stand over a stove of hot, splattering oil while everyone else is relaxing. You just toss them on a baking sheet, pop them in the oven, and you’re free to actually sit down and hang out with your people.
🧺 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the zucchini rings:
🥒 Zucchini: 2 medium pieces (approx. 500g)
🫒 Olive oil: 2 tbsp (30ml)
🌽 Cornstarch: 2 tbsp (16g)
🥖 Breadcrumbs: 0.5 cup (30g)
✨ Nutritional yeast: 2 tbsp (10g)
🌶️ Paprika: 1 tsp (2g)
🧄 Garlic powder: 1 tsp (3g)
🧂 Salt: 0.5 tsp (3g)
🖤 Black pepper: 0.25 tsp (1g)
For the creamy dip:
🎯 Zucchini cores: reserved from the rings
🛢️ Olive oil: 1 tbsp (15ml) for sautéing
🥣 Vegan mayonnaise: 2 tbsp (30g)
🥛 Vegan sour cream: 2 tbsp (30g)
🧄 Garlic: 1 large clove
🌿 Fresh cilantro: a small bunch (approx. 10g)
🧂 Salt: 0.25 tsp (1.5g)
📋 How to Make Crispy Zucchini Rings
1. Wash and slice. Wash the zucchini thoroughly and slice them into rounds about 0.5-inch (1.5 cm) thick.
2. Cut out centers. Use a small round cutter, any suitable round shape, or simply a knife to cut out the centers of each round to create rings. Do not discard the zucchini cores — we will use them to make a zero-waste sauce!
3. Season and coat. Toss the rings with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, cornstarch, breadcrumbs, and nutritional yeast. Don't worry if the breading doesn't stick immediately; wait 5 minutes for the salt to draw out the moisture. If needed, press the breading firmly onto the rings with your hands.
4. Bake until crispy. Arrange the zucchini rings in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden and crunchy.
5. Sauté the cores. While the rings are baking, heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the reserved zucchini cores over medium heat until they are soft and lightly browned.
6. Blend the sauce. Transfer the cooked cores to a blender, add the vegan mayo, vegan sour cream, crushed garlic, fresh cilantro, and salt, then blend until completely smooth and creamy.
7. Dip and enjoy. Take the hot, golden rings out of the oven, dip them into the fresh creamy sauce, and enjoy!
👩🍳 Cooking Tips for the Best Crispy Zucchini Rings
⏳ Give the salt 5 minutes to do its thing When you first toss everything together, the breading might look a bit loose or dry. Don't panic! Just let it sit on the counter for about 5 minutes. The salt will naturally draw out a tiny bit of moisture from the zucchini, making all those delicious seasoned breadcrumbs stick perfectly.
🍕 Don't crowd the baking sheet Make sure to give your zucchini rings some breathing room on the parchment paper. If they are overlapping or packed too tightly together, they will steam instead of roast, and you'll miss out on that beautiful, loud crunch.
🥣 Adjust the dip thickness to your liking Depending on how juicy your zucchini cores are, the sauce might turn out slightly thinner or thicker. If you want it extra rich and scoopable, you can throw in an extra dollop of vegan mayo. If it's too thick, a tiny splash of water or lemon juice while blending will smooth it right out.
🔥 Serve them straight from the oven Like anything baked to a perfect crunch, these rings are at their absolute best when they are hot and fresh. Have your creamy dip ready on the table beforehand so you can start dunking the second the baking sheet hits the counter!
🥒 Zucchini is light, incredibly refreshing, and low-key one of the most versatile veggies in the kitchen. It has a subtle, delicate flavor that easily absorbs all the savory spices you throw at it, while naturally keeping things light, hydrating, and packed with vitamins and antioxidants. If you’re curious about all the incredible benefits packed into this summer favorite, there’s a quick read you might enjoy.
🔀 Fun Ways to Change Up Your Crispy Zucchini Rings
🔥 Spice it up If you love a little kick, throw a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes into the breadcrumb mixture. You can also add a few splashes of your favorite hot sauce straight into the blender with the creamy dip for a spicy-garlicky vibe.
🌿 Swap the herbs Not a fan of cilantro? No worries at all. Swap it out for fresh dill or flat-leaf parsley in the sauce. Dill gives it a super fresh, classic summer flavor that pairs beautifully with the zucchini.
🧀 Make it extra "cheesy" If your family loves that savory, cheesy flavor, double the amount of nutritional yeast in the coating. It adds an extra layer of rich, umami goodness that makes the rings taste like they’re loaded with parmesan.
Air Fryer version If you don't want to heat up the big oven, you can easily pop these into an air fryer. Arrange them in a single layer (cook in batches if needed) and air fry at 390°F (200°C) for about 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through until they are deeply golden and crispy.
🫙 Storage & Make-Ahead
🧊 Storage
These rings are definitely at their best right out of the oven, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To get that loud crunch back, do not use the microwave (it will make them sad and mushy!). Instead, pop them back onto a baking sheet in a 400°F (200°C) oven or into the air fryer for 3–5 minutes until they heat through and crisp up again.
⏳ Make-ahead tip
If you're hosting or just want to save time before dinner, you can slice the zucchini and hollow out the rings a few hours in advance. Just store the rings and the centers in separate containers in the fridge. Don't toss them with the oil and spices until right before you're ready to bake, otherwise the salt will draw out too much water ahead of time.
🍶 Saving the sauce
Unlike the rings, the creamy zucchini dip stores beautifully! Keep it in a sealed jar or container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It actually tastes even better the next day once the garlic and cilantro have had time to mingle. If you run out of rings, it doubles as an amazing spread for sandwiches or a dip for fresh veggie sticks.
🍽️ What to Serve With Crispy Zucchini Rings
🍝 Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Spinach This is such a beautiful, classic pairing. The simple garlic and olive oil pasta keeps things light, while these warm zucchini rings sit perfectly on top, adding that loud, seasoned crunch to every single forkful of spaghetti.
🍔 Curried Chickpea Salad Sandwich Skip the standard chips and serve a big handful of these crispy rings alongside your sandwich instead. The cool, spiced curry flavor from the chickpeas combined with a hot, crunchy ring dunked into that garlicky cilantro cream is pure perfection.
🥔 Perfect Baked Potatoes If you want the ultimate comfort food night, this is it. Load up your baked potato, put a massive pile of crispy rings on the side, and use the zero-waste zucchini sauce to drizzle over absolutely everything. It’s simple, warm, and incredibly satisfying.
🍿 Movie Night Platter Honestly, sometimes you don’t need a whole meal. Just pile these hot, crunchy rings onto a huge platter, place the bowl of garlicky green dip right in the center, and take it straight to the couch. It is the absolute best finger food for eating with your fingers while watching your favorite movie.
💡 My Tip: To save yourself from washing extra dishes (because let’s be real, nobody likes cleaning a chaotic kitchen), do the whole coating process right inside a big zip-top bag or a large container with a lid! Just toss the rings in, add the oil and all your dry ingredients, close it up, and give it a massive shake. Every single ring gets perfectly coated, your hands stay clean, and you have exactly one less bowl to wash.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Two main culprits here: either your oven isn't hot enough (make sure it's fully preheated to 400°F/200°C), or the rings are crowded too close together. If they are overlapping on the baking sheet, they will steam each other instead of baking. Give them some breathing room!
Yes, very easily! Just swap the traditional breadcrumbs for your favorite gluten-free version or even crushed gluten-free crackers. The cornstarch is already naturally gluten-free, so you'll still get that perfect, loud crunch without any issues.
If you don't have it on hand or aren't a fan, you can just skip it! The rings will still be super crunchy and delicious from the breadcrumbs. To keep that deep, savory flavor, you can add a tiny bit more garlic powder or onion powder to the mix instead.
📝 Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, this is exactly the kind of food that makes cooking so much fun. It’s not trying to be a fancy five-star meal, but it completely delivers on everything you actually want—massive crunch, an insanely rich sauce, and that warm, cozy feeling of a kitchen fully utilized. It is proof that you don't need complicated ingredients to make something everyone will run to the table for. Grab your biggest baking sheet, blast your favorite music, and go make some mess with the crumbs. I really hope you love this one as much as we do, and happy dipping!
If you end up making these zucchini rings, you have to tell me—did they actually make it to a nice plate, or did you just eat them hot straight off the baking sheet while standing over your kitchen counter? 😄 Did the kids or your husband try to steal them all before you could even finish blending the sauce? I truly love hearing how these little kitchen moments play out in your home. Your stories, your messy counters, your own little twists—that is exactly what makes this space feel so shared and alive.
📄 Scroll down for the full recipe card with step-by-step instructions.
✨ More Zucchini Recipes to Fall in Love With:
Crispy Zucchini Rings
Video Tutorial
Ingredients
For the zucchini rings:
- 2 medium zucchini
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the creamy dip:
- Reserved zucchini cores
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp vegan mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp vegan sour cream
- 1 large garlic clove
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Wash the zucchini thoroughly and slice them into rounds about 0.5-inch (1.5 cm) thick.2 medium zucchini
- Use a small round cutter, any suitable round shape, or simply a knife to cut out the centers of each round to create rings. Do not discard the zucchini cores — we will use them to make a zero-waste sauce!
- Toss the rings with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, cornstarch, breadcrumbs, and nutritional yeast. Don't worry if the breading doesn't stick immediately; wait 5 minutes for the salt to draw out the moisture. If needed, press the breading firmly onto the rings with your hands.2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp cornstarch, ½ cup breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp nutritional yeast, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
- Arrange the zucchini rings in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden and crunchy.
- While the rings are baking, heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the reserved zucchini cores over medium heat until they are soft and lightly browned.Reserved zucchini cores, 1 tbsp olive oil
- Transfer the cooked cores to a blender, add the vegan mayo, vegan sour cream, crushed garlic, fresh cilantro, and salt, then blend until completely smooth and creamy.2 tbsp vegan mayonnaise, 2 tbsp vegan sour cream, 1 large garlic clove, 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped, ¼ tsp salt
- Take the hot, golden rings out of the oven, dip them into the fresh creamy sauce, and enjoy!
Notes
🔀 Recipe Variations
🔥 Spice it up If you love a little kick, throw a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes into the breadcrumb mixture. You can also add a few splashes of your favorite hot sauce straight into the blender with the creamy dip for a spicy-garlicky vibe. 🌿 Swap the herbs Not a fan of cilantro? No worries at all. Swap it out for fresh dill or flat-leaf parsley in the sauce. Dill gives it a super fresh, classic summer flavor that pairs beautifully with the zucchini. 🧀 Make it extra "cheesy" If your family loves that savory, cheesy flavor, double the amount of nutritional yeast in the coating. It adds an extra layer of rich, umami goodness that makes the rings taste like they’re loaded with parmesan. Air Fryer version If you don't want to heat up the big oven, you can easily pop these into an air fryer. Arrange them in a single layer (cook in batches if needed) and air fry at 390°F (200°C) for about 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through until they are deeply golden and crispy.🫙 Storage & Make-Ahead
🧊 Storage
These rings are definitely at their best right out of the oven, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To get that loud crunch back, do not use the microwave (it will make them sad and mushy!). Instead, pop them back onto a baking sheet in a 400°F (200°C) oven or into the air fryer for 3–5 minutes until they heat through and crisp up again.⏳ Make-ahead tip
If you're hosting or just want to save time before dinner, you can slice the zucchini and hollow out the rings a few hours in advance. Just store the rings and the centers in separate containers in the fridge. Don't toss them with the oil and spices until right before you're ready to bake, otherwise the salt will draw out too much water ahead of time.🍶 Saving the sauce
Unlike the rings, the creamy zucchini dip stores beautifully! Keep it in a sealed jar or container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It actually tastes even better the next day once the garlic and cilantro have had time to mingle. If you run out of rings, it doubles as an amazing spread for sandwiches or a dip for fresh veggie sticks.Nutrition
🐾 Life of Emma
While I’m busy trying to turn the apartment upside down with a deep cleaning session, Emma decided to turn herself upside down instead. 🤭 Seriously, I’m running around with a microfiber cloth, and she’s just lying there in her bed, paws in the air, living her absolute best life. 😅 I swear, she looks at me like, "Hey, you missed a spot... but also, can you keep it down? I'm trying to schedule my third nap of the day here." 😂 I guess someone has to hold down the couch while the real work gets done. Hard work, but Emma is always ready to sacrifice herself for the cause! 💛🐾
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