Description
Delight in crispy, oven-baked zucchini chips that make a healthy and tasty snack. Thinly sliced zucchinis are seasoned with olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, then baked low and slow to achieve a perfect crunch without deep frying. These guilt-free chips are a flavorful alternative perfect for snacking or serving as a side.
Ingredients
Scale
Zucchini and Seasonings
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil for a healthier option)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Grated parmesan (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 250°F (120°C) to prepare for slow baking which helps in drying out and crisping the zucchini slices.
- Prepare zucchinis: Wash and thoroughly dry the zucchinis. Slice them into thin, even rounds to ensure uniform crisping while baking.
- Sweat the zucchini slices: Lay the slices on a paper towel, sprinkle lightly with salt, and let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture for crispier chips.
- Remove moisture: Pat the zucchini slices dry with another paper towel to remove the excess water released.
- Season slices: Toss the zucchini rounds in a bowl with olive oil and the seasonings including garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and optional grated parmesan.
- Arrange for baking: Place the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Bake and flip: Bake in the oven for 1.5 to 2 hours, flipping the slices halfway through to ensure even crisping.
- Check crispiness: Around the 90-minute mark, check the chips for desired texture and continue baking if needed until they achieve your preferred level of crunchiness.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, slice the zucchinis as thinly as possible using a mandoline slicer.
- You can substitute smoked paprika with chili powder for a spicy twist.
- Grated parmesan cheese adds a savory depth but can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
- Store leftover chips in an airtight container to keep them crunchy.
