21 Zucchini Recipes That Are Not Fritters

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Zucchini is everywhere by midsummer, and there’s only so much fritter-making anyone should tolerate. These zucchini recipes skip the usual pan-fried route and do something different with all that garden surplus. If you’re staring down a pile of green squash and out of ideas, you’re in the right place. Think of this as a lineup that gives zucchini a chance to actually surprise you. It’s about making use of what you’ve got without repeating the same dish three nights in a row.

Zucchini Pizza Bites with Simple Ingredients

Slices of zucchini topped with tomato, melted cheese, and fresh basil arranged on a baking sheet.
Zucchini Pizza Bites with Simple Ingredients. Photo credit: The Honour System.

These mini pizzas swap dough for zucchini, so they cook fast and stay light. Plus, they sneak in veggies—perfect for zucchini recipes without boredom.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pizza Bites with Simple Ingredients

Easy Zucchini Curry

A bowl of white rice topped with a lemon slice, next to a zucchini and vegetable curry garnished with cilantro.
Easy Zucchini Curry. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

This curry keeps things mellow yet flavorful, and zucchini soaks up all the spices. It’s a relaxed way to show off zucchini recipes that feel interesting.
Get the Recipe: Easy Zucchini Curry

Keto Zucchini Casserole with Ground Beef

A close-up of a cheesy casserole with ground meat, zucchini, and herbs in a white dish, with a spoon scooping out a portion.
Keto Zucchini Casserole with Ground Beef. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

It layers beef, cheese, and zucchini in one pan—so cleanup’s a breeze. It nails zucchini recipes for low-carb eaters who don’t want extra dishes.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zucchini Casserole with Ground Beef

Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Zucchini Meatballs

A plate of spiralized vegetable noodles topped with meatballs, tomato sauce, and chopped herbs, with a fork on the side.
Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Zucchini Meatballs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Little meatballs hiding zucchini inside hit the fun factor and sneak in veggies. They count as zucchini recipes that kids might actually ask for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Zucchini Meatballs

Cranberry Zucchini Muffins

Two cranberry muffins on a wooden cutting board, with a baking tray partially visible in the background.
Cranberry Zucchini Muffins. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

These muffins blend sweet cranberries and shredded zucchini for moist bites. They’re clever zucchini recipes that taste like a treat, not a veggie.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Zucchini Muffins

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe

A baked zucchini casserole with a golden cheese topping in a white dish; a wooden spoon and a serving on a plate are beside it.
Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

It bubbles with cheese and zucchini, all in the same dish. So, you get warm comfort without juggling pots—great for zucchini recipes that don’t overcomplicate.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe

Zucchini Parmesan Crisps

A small bowl holds several crispy, golden-brown parmesan cheese crisps with visible herbs, set on a white surface with a cheese wedge in the background.
Zucchini Parmesan Crisps. Photo credit: The Honour System.

These crisps bake until golden and crunchy, spoiling you without frying. They prove zucchini recipes can deliver snack vibes with zero grease.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Parmesan Crisps

Zucchini Fries Air Fryer Recipe

A white dish filled with crispy breaded zucchini fries sits next to a bowl of dipping sauce on a blue checkered cloth.
Zucchini Fries Air Fryer Recipe. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

These sticks crisp up in minutes, skipping deep frying. They make zucchini recipes that feel indulgent while staying air-fryer simple.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Fries Air Fryer Recipe

Homemade Instant Pot Zucchini Lasagna

A fork holds a bite of cheesy, baked zucchini and tomato casserole above a white dish with partially eaten contents.
Homemade Instant Pot Zucchini Lasagna. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Layers of zucchini replace noodles, and the Instant Pot does the work. It’s zucchini recipes done fast and fuss-free for weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Instant Pot Zucchini Lasagna

Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

A hand holds a bitten chocolate muffin in a wrapper, revealing the moist interior. Several whole muffins are in the background on a wooden surface.
Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Cocoa and zucchini team up for rich muffins that hide green without cheating flavor. They’re zucchini recipes that sneak in health with a grin.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Keto Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven

A plate of crispy, golden-brown fried zucchini pieces on a white surface.
Keto Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven. Photo credit: Low Carb No Carb.

These crispy strips bake in one go and leave no grease puddles. They qualify as zucchini recipes perfect for anyone avoiding deep-fry guilt.
Get the Recipe: Keto Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven

Creamy Zucchini Pasta Sauce Recipe with Parmesan

A bowl of pasta with grated cheese on top, placed on a wooden table next to zucchinis and a plate with sliced bread and butter.
Creamy Zucchini Pasta Sauce Recipe with Parmesan. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

This sauce turns zucchini into a creamy, cheesy mix that coats pasta beautifully. It’s savvy zucchini recipes that taste fancy while staying simple.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Zucchini Pasta Sauce Recipe with Parmesan

Stuffed Zucchini Boats Recipe

Four baked zucchini halves stuffed with a ground meat and cheese mixture, garnished with fresh basil leaves on a brown baking tray.
Stuffed Zucchini Boats Recipe. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

Zucchini halves become edible boats filled with savory goodness. They shine in zucchini recipes that bring flavor and easy assembly.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Zucchini Boats Recipe

Delicious Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry

A bowl filled with stir-fried chicken pieces and sliced zucchini in a light sauce.
Delicious Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Quick-cooked zucchini meets soy-flavored sauce and keeps crunch. It shows zucchini recipes can go stir-fry fast and bright.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry

Zucchini‑Walnut Muffins

Four muffins are arranged on a rectangular white plate, placed on a light wooden surface next to a white cloth with a strawberry pattern.
Zucchini‑Walnut Muffins. Photo credit: Bake What You Love.

These muffins mix zucchini and walnuts for texture in every bite. They’re a sweet take on zucchini recipes that don’t pretend to be healthy.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini‑Walnut Muffins

Extra Moist Chocolate Zucchini Cake Recipe

A close-up of a slice of chocolate cake with thick frosting, garnished with lemon zest, with a fork and lemon slice in the foreground.
Extra Moist Chocolate Zucchini Cake Recipe. Photo credit: Low Carb No Carb.

This cake feels rich and fudgy thanks to hidden zucchini moisture. It proves zucchini recipes can satisfy dessert lovers, not just gardeners.
Get the Recipe: Extra Moist Chocolate Zucchini Cake Recipe

Zucchini Brownies

A piece of chocolate cake with a layer of chocolate frosting on a white plate with a fork, against a white background.
Zucchini Brownies. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Brownies use zucchini to stay fudgy without extra oil. They fall under zucchini recipes that double as dessert and stealth veggie options.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Brownies

Easy Chocolate Zucchini Cake Recipe

A slice of chocolate zucchini cake with nuts and chocolate glaze on a white plate, accompanied by a fork.
Easy Chocolate Zucchini Cake Recipe. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

No one will guess there’s zucchini in here—just deep chocolate flavor and soft crumb. That’s zucchini recipes doing undercover good work.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chocolate Zucchini Cake Recipe

Zucchini Bites

A hand dips a golden-brown fritter into a bowl of white creamy sauce, with several fritters arranged on a plate.
Zucchini Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Bite-size rounds pack flavor with garlic and herbs. They make ideal zucchini recipes for finger food that’s veggie-forward.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bites

Chocolate Protein Zucchini Bread

A close-up of sliced chocolate chip zucchini bread on a wooden cutting board.
Chocolate Protein Zucchini Bread. Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear.

Packed with protein and studded with zucchini, this bread keeps energy up and texture interesting. It’s practical zucchini recipes for post-workout fuel.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Protein Zucchini Bread

Keto Stuffed Zucchini Mini Bites

Stuffed zucchini rounds filled with a baked, cheesy mixture, garnished with chopped parsley and served on stacked plates with utensils.
Keto Stuffed Zucchini Mini Bites. Photo credit: Low Carb No Carb.

Mini zucchini boats filled with cheese and herbs fit in one bite and bake fast. They’re zucchini recipes designed for grab-and-go keto fun.
Get the Recipe: Keto Stuffed Zucchini Mini Bites

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Writer

Sarita Harbour has been stretching her food dollars to feed her family for over 30 years. As a former banker and current freelance writer, she's written boatloads of articles about budgeting, homesteading, gardening, personal finance and more. Her food-related articles have been widely syndicated through AP and MSN. Look for her food features at NBC, The Seattle Times, Yahoo! Life, Chowhound, Tasting Table and MSN.