Paleo Fried Zucchini with Cool Dill Dip

Some Friday evenings after a long work week my hubby and I like to kick back with a coffee table picnic…

That’s when we makeup two or three yummy paleo appetizers and munch on them for dinner in front of the TV.

Not exactly a romantic date night, but we get to pick the movie and enjoy fresh-cooked food while relaxing in the comfort of our living room. For us that makes for an awesome evening! (Yeah I know, I’m a cheap date.)

Anyway, I had been craving fried zucchini squash for our little indoor picnics. I figured out a simple recipe that wouldn’t be too oily (even though these are fried in a shallow layer of healthy coconut oil) with a light and flavorful gluten-free coating. Next, I whipped up a quick and easy veggie dip using the cream from a full-fat can of cold coconut milk as the base, and we were good to go!

This recipe is so easy and actually turned out even better than I thought it would. We cleaned up the fried zucchini along with some grilled veggies and chicken kabobs and agreed it was one of our best “picnics” ever! 

We used a heavy skillet with about a 1/2 inch of coconut oil in the bottom set to medium to medium-low heat. You want the oil hot enough so the zucchini sizzles, but not too hot that they’re spitting back at you! I suggest testing a single slice first to make sure the oil is at the right temperature.

Do be careful doing this, my friends. I’ll admit I’m not experienced at frying much of anything except bacon, but my first attempt came out perfect. I set the fried slices on paper towels to soak up some of the excess oil, and we dug in. Warm veggies, cool dip, so good!

This paleo fried zucchini recipe would make a great appetizer at your next party too, or whenever you decide to have an indoor picnic with your honey. :)

Paleo Fried Zucchini with Cool Dill Dip Recipe

by Trina
Simple paleo and gluten-free recipe for pan-fried zucchini slices with a crispy coating and a refreshing dill dip.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Fried Zucchini Ingredients

  • 2 zucchini squash; thicker ones are better
  • 3 tbs coconut flour
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 tbs almond milk
  • 1 egg
  • sea salt to taste
  • coconut oil for frying

Cool Dill Dip Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coconut milk cream* *(that's the thick part at the top of the can that forms when full-fat coconut milk is refrigerated)
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbs dried parsley
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 Pinch ground black pepper

Instructions
 

Cool Dill Dip Instructions

  • Blend all dip ingredients in a bullet blender or similar mixer
  • If it’s too thick, add a little coconut water from the coconut milk
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve

Fried Zucchini Instructions

  • Whisk egg and almond milk together in a small bowl. Set aside
  • Place coconut flour and paprika in a large Ziplock-type plastic bag. Shake to mix and set aside
  • Heat a layer of coconut oil about 1/2-inch deep in a heavy skillet – set to medium low to medium heat
  • Cut zucchini into 1/4-inch round slices
  • Add zucchini slices to plastic bag and shake to coat with dry mixture
  • Remove slices from bag and lightly tap each to remove loose seasonings
  • Next dip each slice into the egg and almond milk mixture
  • Very carefully place the seasoned and dipped zucchini slices into the hot coconut oil
  • Cook about one minute on each side, or until golden
  • Remove from skillet and place on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil
  • Sprinkle with sea salt to taste
  • Serve with the dill dip and enjoy!
Keyword zucchini, dill, dip, appetizer, snack, finger food, fried

Join the Conversation

  1. Let me start by saying that I have not made a recipe from this website that I have not absolutely loved. I made both the zucchini and the dip tonight as an appetizer. However, I felt that both were lacking flavor. I double checked to make sure that I did not miss any ingredients. Maybe it was just my unrealistic expectations of how fried zucchini should taste. I did not make any alterations to the recipe. With all the other wonderful recipes that Trina posts, I do not think that I will be making this one again. I also found that it is important that you eat this zucchini right away because it does get soggy if it sits for too long.

    1. Thank Kim. I’m happy you have enjoyed the other recipes! Sorry we didn’t nail it with you this time. :)

  2. Anonymous says:

    Dumb question but we have vanilla almond milk? Will it taste sweet or do you think it would work? I might try it but I wondered if you actually need almond milk without sweetener?

    1. I don’t think I would use flavored almond milk for this one. :)

  3. Thank you for this awesome yummy delicious recipe..

    1. You are most welcome! Thank you for your kind words! :)

  4. Yum! These look so incredible. What a great snack for football games or family game nights. These will certainly be incorporated into my snack rotation. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Thank you so much Kelly! Such a great compliment coming from you! Thanks for stopping by. :)

  5. Could I use something like avocado oil to fry instead? Have you tried with like almond flour? I’m allergic to coconut.

    1. You could certainly use avocado to fry…and you could probably pull it off with almond flour, but I’m sure the texture would be a little different…let me know how it turns out if you try it :)

  6. I have a can of coconut cream in my pantry that someone gave me It doesn’t say milk. Do do I just shake it up and use 1/2 cup? And do I need to refrigerate it first?

    1. Hi April…yes the coconut cream will work, but you might have to thin it out a little with some water if it’s too thick. No need to refrigerate first :)

  7. I am egg free. Do you need the egg or have any ideas for a substitution?

    1. Sarah, the egg is important with this recipe. If I find a subsititute I’ll let you know.

    2. Anonymous says:

      Sarah , I use Pams pancake and baking mix and sub the egg with unsweetened applesauce. It doesn’t make the batter sweet at all and give a nice battered texture to your zucchini. Plus I just make myself a ranch dip using egg free mayo

    3. I make my own egg when I am making things like this and I need a binder.

      This egg replacement works well in delicate, light-colored items like yellow cakes and sweet muffins…it does not alter the flavor, like Ener-G Egg Replacer or Flax goop does. It provides the structure that egg whites normally do. It leavens like beaten egg whites do, because you trapped lots of air bubbles when you were whisking it (You did whisk it thoroughly before you dumped it in, right?) And it contains some baking powder. It provides the moisture and fat that egg yolks provide.

      But it does NOT promote browning, add protein, or implant a lovely yellow color like real eggs do. If you tolerate corn, you can use the Energy Egg Replacer instead.

      FOR EVERY 2 WHOLE EGGS, SIFT TOGETHER
      1tbs / 2 c tapioca starch
      1 tbs / 2 c arrowroot starch
      ¼ tsp / 8 tsp baking powder
      1/8 tsp / 4 tsp xanthum gum
      1 pinch / 4 pinches gelatin or agar agar (optional)

      Then, add ½ cup water and 2 tsp oil, whisk together in a bowl until thoroughly combined and a little frothy. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

      Tip: I actually make up the dry ingredients in the large batch measurements above (sifted together and stored in a canister) and then just use 1 tbs + ¼ tsp mix with ¼ c water and 1tsp oil per egg needed in the recipe.

      1. Wow that’s quite the formula…thanks for sharing Alicia!

    4. Anonymous says:

      Yes, us too :( . I am going to try it with chia seeds and water…

      1. Bummer! This has been a really popular and easy recipe. Maybe your oil was not hot enough?

  8. Can I use coconut milk instead of almond milk?

  9. I was just diagnosed with a gluten AND dairy allergy… So Paleo here I come… This is all new to me and I’m wondering about the coconut cream (I’ve seen it on a few of your recipes…) the half a cup here, do you get that just from the skimmed top of 1 can? Or how many cans does it take to get that quantity?

    1. Hi Aly, I sure you hope you find some recipes here to help your allergies. In the dill dip I did use the cream from the top of the can. But in most recipes when I’m baking I just use it as is. You can keep some in the pantry and it will stay liquid. Place in the fridge and it separates. You can usually get quite a bit of solid cream from one can, and yes I got the 1/2 cup from one can and still had some left over. I use Thai brand. Good luck! :)

  10. They tasted very gritty to me. Do you think I did something wrong? I followed the recipe to the letter! Thanks!

    1. Kelly, could be that there was too much coconut flour on them before you fried them? I tap them lightly to remove the excess flour. Also, make sure you have a good quality coconut flour that’s very fine.

  11. Can you use water instead of the milk?

    1. Have never made it with water….I think you need it for the creaminess of the dip.

  12. Really delicious, I didn’t have the dip ingredients so I just cooked the zucchinni and had hot sauce with it.

    1. Maritza, I’m glad you liked it. Sounds yummy with hot sauce. Good idea! We chowed them down with the chipotle wings. Yummy ! :)

  13. This worked really well – very light and delicious! I was hoping the frying would help change the texture of the zucchini to something that my 4-year-old would go for, and he chomped them down (even without the dip)! Thanks so much for this recipe.

    1. Yay! I’m glad they are kid approved in your house. A friend of mine told me her daughter was eating them as fast as she was frying them up! Ha! thanks for your comment. :)

  14. Anonymous says:

    Made these fried zucchini for dinner tonight and they were awesome! Nice work!

    1. Thank you so much! I’m so glad you liked the recipe! :)

  15. do you think this would work with slices of pickle? i have long been awaiting a recipe concept that i could adapt.. this looks promising!

    1. I’m not sure. I’v never fried a pickle! Sounds like it might work though. Let me know if you try it. :)

  16. This looks amazing! I have Green Zucchini and not Zucchini Squash, is this still okay to use?

    1. Jennie, any kind of Zucchini will be fine! I hope you like it!

  17. i want to make this YUMMY!!

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