20 Delicious Zucchini Appetizers That Are Healthy

If you are looking for a delicious appetizer that is healthy and nutritious, you should definitely consider zucchini. It is a vibrant and fresh summer vegetable that works well in lots of different recipes.

We have put together this list of the best zucchini appetizers that are super tasty to give you the perfect inspiration for your next dinner party.  

1. Zucchini Bruschetta

One of the great things about zucchini is that it can replace pretty much any carb. In this recipe, zucchini is used instead of bread for the bruschetta.

This super quick recipe only takes 20 minutes to make- 15 minutes of preparation time and 5 minutes of cooking time, so you can prepare it ahead of time and finish it off when your guests arrive.

It is important to use the best tomatoes that you can for this recipe as it has a big impact on the flavor. 

2. Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

These crunchy, cheesy chips are totally guilt free and have a great texture. You can serve them with a delicious dipping sauce like marinara or sour cream and chives.

They take 35 minutes to make and can be served as an appetizer or on a buffet table. Everyone can tuck into the bowl of chips as an ice breaker. 

3. Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Zucchini

The shape of zucchini makes it ideal for scooping out and serving with tasty fillings. One of the most delicious fillings is a cheesy, spicy jalapeno mix.

These poppers are healthier than traditional fried ones, because they are oven baked. You can use whatever cheese you prefer, but make sure it is a melty one as it will make this appetizer even more irresistible. 

4. Zucchini Fritters

These zucchini fritters have only 5 ingredients and are simple to make. They make a wonderful appetizer, especially when piled up and served with a dollop of soured cream or a little pot of sweet chili sauce.

Make sure you grate the zucchini nice and finely so that it cooks quickly in the pan. 

5. Zucchini Hasselback Pizzas

If you love pizza but you are looking for a healthier alternative, why don’t you try these zucchini pizzas?

The zucchini is sliced like a hasselback potato, and the slots are stuffed with cheese and whatever other pizza toppings you fancy – tomatoes, pepperoni, bacon, olives – there are lots of options.

These zucchini pizzas make a fun and tasty appetizer that you can serve for your Italian themed night (for more pizza-based appetizers, read here). 

6. Fried Zucchini Flowers

It’s not just the main body of the vegetable that you can eat, you can also eat the flowers! They are delicious and can be cooked in several ways.

It only takes 25 minutes to make these fried zucchini flowers and this recipe makes enough to serve 6 people. The flowers don’t need much flavoring as they are so tasty but delicate – you don’t want to over power the flavor.

Just some simple salt and pepper to season is all you need. 

7. Cheesy Chipotle Zucchini Boats

These cheesy zucchini boats are simple but delicious with a combination of different textures. The cheese is soft and melty, the zucchini is firm yet tender, and the breadcrumb topping adds a nice crunch.

You can add some extra ingredients if you want to introduce some more flavors. 

8. Zucchini Meatballs

These delicious meatballs are a great vegetarian option if you have guests at your dinner party that don’t eat meat. They have a great texture – soft but not mushy and just enough moisture.

The zucchini has a lovely flavor, but it is not too overpowering. This means that you can really taste the seasonings of oregano, parmesan, basil and lemon. 

9. Veggie Zucchini Roll-Ups

This crispy, crunchy roll-ups are super healthy and make a great appetizer. They can also be enjoyed as a canape or as part of a buffet. They are gluten-free and vegetarian and have a wonderful, creamy flavor.

There are only 5 ingredients that you need to make these tasty treats, and they come together in just 15 minutes. 

10. Baked Zucchini Fries

These baked zucchini fries are the perfect treat to start off your dinner party. They have a crispy outside and a tender middle, and are perfect when dipped in a tasty sauce.

They are healthier than fried potatoes as they are baked in the oven. They aren’t even tossed in oil, you need to use cooking spray. The parmesan cheese makes these zucchini fries super delicious. 

11. Cheesy Baked Buffalo Zucchini Chips

If you like your appetizers to have a bit of spice then this recipe could be perfect for you. The hot sauce is perfectly balanced by the creamy cheese.

The garlic powder and cayenne powder add punchy flavors that make this dish really exciting – a real treat for the tastebuds. It takes a little longer to make this recipe – around 40 minutes – but it will be worth the wait. 

12. Baked Zucchini Hummus Bites

These super quick hummus bites are the perfect canape or appetizer for your next event. They are low carb, low fat, vegetarian and gluten free. You can also make this a vegan recipe if you switch the feta cheese out for a vegan version.

This recipe uses red pepper hummus, but you can use whatever flavor of hummus you fancy. You only need to bake the zucchini for several minutes on each side before topping them with hummus, cheese and herbs. 

13. Zucchini Pesto Puff Pastry Tart

Puff pastry tarts are elegant and sophisticated. They make a fantastic appetizer, or even a main course if you serve them with a side salad.

Make sure you thinly slice the zucchini, and try to use both green and yellow zucchini to create a variety of color that will make the tart more eye-catching. The basil in the pesto works really well with the zucchini. 

14. Ricotta Stuffed Zucchini

Ricotta is a cheese that is perfectly creamy and light with an indulgent flavor. It is the perfect cheese to pair with zucchini, and this recipe brings the two ingredients together in an ideal appetizer.

It takes 25 minutes to cook and is seasoned with salt and pepper, basil and lemon juice. It also uses mozzarella and parmesan cheese. 

15. Zucchini Fritters With Feta & Dill

The zingy, salty flavor of feta is a great cheese to pair with the fresh taste of zucchini. The combination of flavors creates a great summertime appetizer that will work well for dinner parties or even garden parties.

You could also serve them as a side dish at a BBQ, or even as a light lunch. The key to this recipe is getting hold of fresh ingredients – fresh dill, good quality olive oil, and organic zucchini will ensure that you have the best possible flavors. 

16. Zucchini Bites With Tomatoes & Gorgonzola

Gorgonzola is a rich blue cheese that works really well in Italian recipes. The bright, juicy cherry tomatoes are a great contrast with the blue cheese and the zucchini ties the flavors together perfectly.

The zucchini is soft in the middle, but the skin holds the ingredients together so that these tasty treats can be enjoyed as finger food. This makes them ideal for parties and buffets as well as appetizers. 

17. Zucchini Parmesan Squares

This gluten free recipe has the perfect combination of savory flavors. It makes a light snack for a warm day, or a delicate appetizer to start off your meal.

It is vegetarian friendly, and can be made dairy free with a few ingredient swaps that are recommended in the recipe.

It might look like a long list of ingredients, but the process for making these squares is actually pretty simple. Try making this for your next picnic. 

18. Air Fryer Zucchini Curly Fries

If you love curly fries then you should definitely check out this recipe. It’s fun and easy and it tastes great. It takes only 35 minutes to make these delicious fries that can be served with a dip to make a fantastic appetizer.

You only need 6 ingredients to put this recipe together and you can also serve it as a side dish if you want. Zucchini makes a great alternative to potatoes if you are looking for a low carb option. 

19. Zucchini Dip

You have heard of spinach dip, but now it is time to try zucchini dip. It’s simple and delicious and has everything you want from a dip. It’s creamy, cheesy and garlicky.

You can serve it in a dish with some french bread or crackers, or get creative and serve it in a cob. It also tastes fantastic with veggie sticks like carrots and celery. 

20. Italian Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

Just like the zucchini itself, the zucchini flowers can also be stuffed. Stuffed zucchini flowers is the type of dish that you would expect to enjoy at a restaurant, but it is easier than you think to make it at home.

The flowers are stuffed with mozzarella cheese and salty prosciutto. The stuffed flowers are then dipped in a light batter and fried. This melts the cheese, creating an irresistible texture when you bite into the flower.

This appetizer will certainly impress your guests and it may be something that they have never tried before. 

Frequently Asked Questions  

What Is Zucchini? 

Zucchini, also called courgette, is a type of summer squash. Unlike other forms of squash, it is harvested when the seeds and the center are still quite soft. This makes it much faster to cook. 

Are Zucchini And Cucumbers In The Same Family? 

Cucumbers and zucchini may look very similar, but they are not actually in the same family. Zucchini is in the cucubita family and cucumber is in the gourd family. 

Can You Eat Zucchini Raw? 

You can eat zucchini raw if you want to, as long as it has been grown commercially. It has a different taste when it is raw, but it works well shredded into salads. 

Do You Have To Peel Zucchini? 

You can eat the peel of zucchini, especially if you are eating it cooked. This means you don’t need to peel zucchini, you can just slice it up and cook it. 

How Do You Cook Zucchini? 

There are lots of ways to cook zucchini. One of the most simple and delicious ways is to saute it lightly in some olive oil or butter and season it with salt and pepper. 

Summary 

Zucchini is a versatile vegetable that works well in so many different recipes. Whichever recipe you choose, you will have a fantastic appetizer that you can serve at any dinner party.

Zucchinis are tasty and healthy, and make the perfect choice to start off your meal.