Follow these detailed, step-by-step instructions carefully to ensure your zucchini fries are perfectly crispy, never soggy, and incredibly delicious. The secret lies in the preparation of the zucchini and the setup of your breading station.

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet

First, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). A high temperature is crucial for quickly crisping the exterior of the fries before the zucchini inside has a chance to release too much moisture and become soft. Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven for even heat distribution.

Next, prepare your baking sheet. For the absolute best results and maximum crispiness, place a wire cooling rack inside a large, rimmed baking sheet. This setup allows hot air to circulate all around each individual fry, crisping up the bottom as well as the top and sides. If you don’t have a wire rack, line the baking sheet with parchment paper. Parchment paper will prevent sticking and help the bottoms brown, though a wire rack provides superior air circulation.

Step 2: Cut and “Sweat” the Zucchini (The Most Important Step!)

Wash and dry your zucchini thoroughly. Trim off the top stem and the bottom end. Cut each zucchini in half crosswise, then cut each half into fry-shaped sticks, approximately 1/2-inch thick. Try to keep the fries as uniform in size as possible to ensure they cook evenly.

Now for the critical step to prevent soggy fries: “sweating” the zucchini. Place the cut zucchini sticks in a colander set over a bowl or in the sink. Sprinkle them generously with 1 teaspoon of salt and toss gently to coat. Let the zucchini sit for 20-30 minutes. During this time, the salt will draw out a significant amount of excess water from the vegetable. You will see droplets of water forming on the fries and collecting in the bowl below. After 20-30 minutes, use paper towels to pat the zucchini fries completely dry. Be thorough—the drier they are, the crispier they will be.

Step 3: Set Up the Breading Station

To make the breading process smooth and organized, set up a three-station assembly line using three shallow dishes or plates.

• Dish 1 (Flour Mixture): In the first dish, whisk together the 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• Dish 2 (Egg Wash): In the second dish, crack the two large eggs and beat them lightly with a fork until the yolks and whites are fully combined.
• Dish 3 (Panko-Cheese Mixture): In the third dish, combine the 1 1/2 cups of panko breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Use a fork to mix everything together until the spices and cheese are evenly distributed throughout the panko.

Step 4: Bread the Zucchini Fries

This process can get a little messy, so using the “wet hand, dry hand” method is highly recommended. Use one hand (your “dry hand”) for handling the flour and panko mixtures, and the other hand (your “wet hand”) for the egg wash.

Working with a few zucchini sticks at a time, follow this sequence:

1. Dredge in Flour: Using your dry hand, take a zucchini stick and lightly coat it on all sides with the flour mixture. Tap off any excess flour. This dry layer is essential for the egg to stick.
2. Dip in Egg: Transfer the floured stick to your wet hand and dip it into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s completely coated. Let any excess egg drip back into the dish.
3. Coat in Panko: Transfer the egg-coated stick back to your dry hand and place it in the panko mixture. Gently press the panko crumbs onto all sides of the zucchini to create a thick, even crust.
4. Place on the Rack: Carefully place the fully breaded zucchini fry onto the prepared wire rack on your baking sheet, making sure there is a little space between each fry. Do not let them touch, as this will cause them to steam rather than crisp.

Repeat this process until all the zucchini sticks are breaded.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Lightly spray the tops of the breaded zucchini fries with olive oil spray or cooking spray. This helps them achieve a beautiful golden-brown color and enhances their crispiness.

Place the baking sheet in the preheated 425°F oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown and crispy. For even browning, you can carefully flip the fries halfway through the cooking time using tongs, but if you’re using a wire rack, this step is often not necessary. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes of baking to prevent them from getting too dark.

Step 6: Serve Immediately

Remove the zucchini fries from the oven and let them cool for just a minute or two before serving. They are best enjoyed immediately while they are hot and at their peak crispiness.