65 Must Try Zucchini Recipes - Breads, Desserts, Side Dishes, and More! (2025)

Table of Contents

Health Benefits of Zucchini 65 Zucchini Recipes Zucchini Breakfast Recipes Zucchini Main Dish Recipes Side Dishes Zucchini Desserts: Zucchini Bread Recipes Savory Zucchini Breads Zucchini Sweet Breads Ways to Preserve Zucchini PIN THIS FOR LATER More Posts You Might Enjoy: FAQs

Zucchini recipes don't have to be boring! There are tons of different ways to eat this summer squash. Try something new with one of these 65 zucchini recipes covering everything from breakfast to dinner, desserts, and more!

If you keep a garden, or live anywhere near someone who does, you are likely used to the over abundance of zucchini that shows up during the summer months.

We are only 5 days into our zucchini harvest and we have already gathered 25 pounds of this prolific vegetable!

Now I have quite a few ways I like to prepare zucchini for my family, but this year with such a healthy and rapidly producing garden I decided I might need to branch out a bit so that we didn't tire of the provision.

So I gathered up a bunch of recipes for myself and thought you might enjoy them as well! Some of these ideas for how to use zucchini really shocked me and I'm looking forward to trying them all!

My favorite is definitely this gluten free, paleo chocolate cake recipe made with zucchini flour!

RELATED: What to do with LARGE zucchini - 5 delicious recipes

Health Benefits of Zucchini

Prior to this season I just accepted zucchini as a summer food and didn't think much beyond that. But now that we have a little one to feed I like to look more into the health benefits of the food we are eating as a family, beyond the fact that it's a fresh veggie.

I had no idea zucchini was so good for you! Like, actively good for you!

Just check out the nutritional value of one medium zucchini!

33 calories
0 fat
2 grams fiber
2 grams protein
5 grams carbs
3 grams sugar
3 milligrams vitamin C (56 percent DV)
4 milligrams vitamin B6 (21 percent DV)
3 milligrams manganese (17 percent DV)
3 milligrams riboflavin (16 percent DV)
514 milligrams potassium (15 percent DV)
57 milligrams folate (14 percent DV)
4 milligrams vitamin K (11 percent DV)

During the summer we each eat 1-3 medium zucchini per day so I'm thrilled with all the good stuff we are getting!

Because of all those amazing nutritional components, zucchini is anti-inflammatory, cancer preventive, can help improve heart health, improve digestion, promote healthy blood sugar, improve thyroid and adrenal function, and even improve your eye sight!

Who knew this unassuming little vegetable could do so much? I love it!

65 Zucchini Recipes

So if you are totally sold and ready to eat your body weight in these nutritious green veggie, look no further! This post includes a ton of ways to cook and preserve zucchini so that you never tire of it!

From zucchini bread, to zucchini cake, and everything in between. Find zucchini recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert!

Zucchini Breakfast Recipes

I foolishly thought there was no way to sneak zucchini into our breakfast menu unless it was in the form of zucchini bread. Fortunately I was wrong!

Zucchini Main Dish Recipes

We tend to have zucchini as a side dish, but these all look so great that I'm going to have to start making zucchini as the main dish!

Some are light and would be excellent for a lunch meal, which others are hearty enough for dinner!

Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles)
Zucchini Tomato Gratin
Grilled Zucchini Pizza Slices
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Cheesy Zucchini Rice
Chicken and Zucchini Meatballs
Zucchini Pizza Crust
Zucchini Parmesan

Zucchini Pesto Tart
Bacon Zucchini Quiche
Spinach and Zucchini Soup
Cheesy Zucchini Potato Casserole

Raw Zucchini Tomato Lasagna
Vegetarian Pizza with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Spicy Zucchini Fritatta

Side Dishes

Or if you don't have enough zucchini for a main dish, any of these recipes for zucchini side dishes will make an amazing addition to your meal!

Parmesan Zucchini Medallions
Baked Zucchini Fries
Zucchini Tater Tots
Grilled Artichoke Pesto Zucchini Bites
Baked Zucchini Chips

Cheesy Garlic Zucchini Chips
Breaded Zucchini Chips
Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Flowers
Light Zucchini Hummus
Zucchini Pasta Salad

Zucchini Butter (More like no-sugar jam)
Zucchini Bacon Rice Casserole

Zucchini Desserts:

Dessert is most people's favorite part of any meal... why not sneak a little (or a lot) of goodness in there?!

These healthy zucchini recipes for dessert will make you feel good about feeding your family a treat!

We make the strawberry zucchini fruit leather many times a year since it makes a wonderful, healthy snack in the car or lunch box!

And if you're looking for something decadent that has no-sugar or flour, then try the gluten free, paleo chocolate cake!

Strawberry Zucchini Fruit Leather
Chocolate Lover's Zucchini Cake
Zucchini Walnut Cookies
Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Gluten Free Paleo Chocolate Cake with Zucchini Flour
Zucchini Cobbler Bars
Carrot and Zucchini Bars
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Brownies
Zucchini Pie

Zucchini Bread Recipes

Sneaking veggies into baked goods is an art form when you're a mom... these recipes make it look easy and delicious!

I also love the idea of making these during the summer and freezing the bread for later in the year! While I haven't tried these bread recipes with einkorn flour, I would recommend reducing the liquid in the recipe by 20% to avoid soggy bread.

Savory Zucchini Breads

These zucchini bread recipes are either plain or have a savory element to them. They would be great as a side dish, or for a less-sweet breakfast bread to go with eggs and bacon!

Zucchini Cornbread
Zucchini Cheddar Hushpuppies
Mom’s Zucchini Bread
Gluten Free Zucchini Bread

Zucchini Garlic Herb Bread
Squash Puppies
Gluten Free Zucchini Almond Bread

Zucchini Sweet Breads

Or if you prefer a sweeter breakfast, or want to whip up a sweet zucchini bread for dessert, these will be perfect for you!

Zucchini Sweet Potato Bread
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Carrot Zucchini Apple Bread

Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread with Blueberries and Pecans
Lemon Zucchini Bread
Zucchini Citrus Muffins

Ways to Preserve Zucchini

If you've reached your max with zucchini for the season, or you just find yourself with more than you can eat, here are some great ideas for canning and preserving zucchini so you can enjoy it all year!

Strawberry Zucchini Fruit Leather
Zucchini Flour (excellent replacement for coconut flour!)
Roasted Zucchini Seeds
Zucchini Gummy Candy
Zucchini Fruit Snacks (no jello!)

Dried Zucchini “Pineapple”
Canned Crushed Zucchini "Pineapple"
Dill Relish
Sweet Relish (water bath can for 20 minutes)
How to Freeze Zucchini
Dried Zucchini Noodles

PIN THIS FOR LATER

FAQs

What can I do with all my zucchini? ›

What to do with too Much Zucchini

Add it to Your Salads. Sliced or diced, zucchini is a nice addition to any salad. ...
Put it in Spaghetti. ...
Freeze It. ...
Make Butter out of It. ...
Enjoy Zucchini Bites. ...
Try Greta's Zucchini Bread Recipe. ...
Add Zucchini to Turkey Burgers. ...
Zucchini Soup is a Must.

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Aug 7, 2021

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When making zucchini bread do you peel the zucchini before shredding it? ›

Don't peel the zucchini – Yes, it's tempting to remove the zucchini's skin, but there is no need to do that. Zucchini melts into the bread, so peeling is just an unnecessary step. Do grate the zucchini – I don't know about you, but when it comes to zucchini in bread, I want it there – but I don't want to see it.

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What is the best companion for zucchini? ›

What goes well with zucchini?

Root and tuber vegetables such as beet, carrots and celery.
Onions, leeks and spring onions.
Lettuce.
corn.
Flowers such as camomile, sunflowers, borage and marigolds.
Beans.
Tomatoes, eggplants and peppers.
Herbs such as basil, parsley and oregano.

Apr 28, 2023

What organ is zucchini good for? ›

Carotenoids — such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene — are particularly plentiful in zucchini ( 3 ). These may benefit your eyes, skin, and heart, as well as offer some protection against certain types of cancer, such as prostate cancer ( 4 ).

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How do you keep zucchini from getting soggy when cooking? ›

If you've got the time, try salting and draining your zucchini. This method involves liberally salting your sliced zucchini and allowing it to set in a colander (over a bowl) for at least 30 minutes, up to an hour, before patting dry with paper towels or a tea towel.

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Which is healthier cucumber or zucchini? ›

Zucchini is richer in vitamin B and vitamin C as compared to cucumbers. Both vegetables have relatively equal amounts of calcium but zucchini is richer than cucumbers in potassium and iron. Zucchini also has a higher amount of protein and fiber.

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Can I freeze whole fresh zucchini? ›

We're sometimes asked, "Can you freeze zucchini whole?" You certainly can, but it will be much more challenging to thaw and use later. (Imagine trying to shred a soggy, whole, thawed squash.) So, instead, we recommend tackling the shape in advance so you can quickly use the frozen zucchini when you're ready.

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How many zucchini for 2 cups? ›

You need 2 cups of grated zucchini for the recipe, so you will need about 3 small zucchini, 2 medium zucchini, or 1 large zucchini.

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Do you squeeze out the liquid from zucchini for bread? ›

Yes! I simply squeeze the water out of the zucchini over the sink before using in this recipe. Sometimes, I squeeze the zucchini twice to make sure the excess water is removed. Some zucchini are very wet when grated and others relatively dry; squeezing out the excess water helps to regulate ingredients in the recipe.

Can you shred zucchini without a grater? ›

There are multiple ways to shred zucchini, whether it's with a box grater, food processor or blender. While there is no wrong way to do it, I personally do not recommend the last two. Using a food processor or a blender might seem faster, but they actually require more cleanup in the long run.

Do tomatoes and zucchini get along? ›

Zucchini and tomatoes can be grown as close neighbors and will make satisfactory companion plants. Both vegetables thrive in the same environmental conditions, so a garden plot that is ideal for one plant is therefore ideal for the other. They both need a location with full sun and benefit from nutrient-rich soil.

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What does zucchini do for your stomach? ›

Zucchini can help promote healthy digestion in several ways. Firstly, it is rich in water , containing 94.8 grams (g) of water per 100 g of fruit. Water is essential for helping improve digestion. Water in the diet helps soften stools and makes them easier to pass, reducing the chances of constipation.

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What likes to eat zucchini? ›

Squash bugs, squash vine borers, cucumber beetles and other pests can attack zucchini. Check out our pest guides below to find out how to identify common zucchini pests... Click on a pest to be taken to a page full of useful information about how to identify it and prevent problems.

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What is the best pollinator for zucchini? ›

Squash bees have been shown to be excellent pollinators of zucchini and butternut squashes, among others. If numerous, they thoroughly pollinate all available flowers, rendering later visits of honeybees superfluous.

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