Zucchini chips are just 5 quick minutes away when you cook them in the microwave oven. Or, bake a large batch in the oven. Follow these tips to get a quick and perfectly crisped chip no matter how you cook them.
Pictured above are baked zucchini chips. They are papery thin, lightly salted and almost melt in your mouth. It's one of the ways we enjoy this versatile vegetable when we are not making Zucchini Noodle Alfredo, Chocolate Zucchini Brownies or Zucchini Bruschetta.
We love chips around here...check out all the fruits and vegetables we've used to make them in healthy alternatives to chips. And when it's the vegetable variety, well...I can justify eating that variety every single day. The oven is great for large batches, but there is a bit of a wait involved . Then, I discovered you can make them in the microwave.
You read that right! In just 5 minutes cooking time you can have a plate full of crispy zucchini chips.
These are zucchini chips cooked in the microwave oven. They have the same taste as the oven baked ones, but have a slightly different texture. They are tasty too and ready in less than 10 minutes, start to finish.
Zucchini Chips Step-by-Step
Thinly slice the zucchini, preferably with a mandolin. This gadget uniformly slices the zucchini which will ensure that the slices cook the same length of time in the microwave or oven.
If the zucchini slices seem a little wet, then dry them with a paper towel before cooking.
To cook the zucchini in the microwave, place the slices on a microwave-safe plate coated with an olive oil-based cooking spray. Once they are placed in a single layer on the plate, lightly coat the top with olive oil (using a mister, cooking spray or pastry brush) and then lightly season with salt. The emphasis is purposely added. The cooking time will vary and the browning process will be effected by how heavy a hand is used.
Cook the zucchini slices on high for about 4-5 minutes. The length of time will vary depending upon the strength of the microwave, the thickness of the slices and how heavily they are sprayed with oil. It took mine about 4-5 minutes. Watch the first batch carefully.
You'll need several plates for one large zucchini.
To cook the zucchini chips in the oven, lay the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly coat the tops of the zucchini with olive oil using a pastry brush or mister. Lightly season with salt. Again, the emphasis is added on lightly. Bake the zucchini slices in a 225 degree F oven for about 40 minutes. Flip the zucchini slices, coat with oil and season with salt. Cook for about another 40 minutes. The zucchini slices should be lightly browned.
This is a close up of the microwaved zucchini slices.
These are the baked zucchini slices. Either way...they are delicious.
These are my top 4 tips for cooking zucchini chips:
- Cut the slices evenly, about ¼ inch in thickness.
- Lightly brush or preferably mist with oil. If the oil pools on the zucchini slice, then pat it with a paper towel.
- Use a light touch to season with salt because the slice will become much smaller and the seasoning will become more concentrated.
- Watch the cooking process carefuly and adjust the cooking time as needed.
Video of Microwave Zucchini Chips
Please rate this recipe and tag @DinnerMom or #DinnerMom on social media. We love to see what you are cooking up!
Zucchini Chips in the Microwave or Oven
Ingredients
- 1 large zucchini
- Olive oil or olive oil-based cooking spray
- Salt
Instructions
- Thinly slice the zucchini, about ¼ inch in width, preferably with a mandolin to ensure a uniform width.
To cook in microwave
- Coat a microwave safe plate with cooking spray.
- Place zucchini in a single layer on the plate.
- Lightly coat the top of the zucchini with olive oil.
- Lightly season with salt.
- Microwave on high for about 4-5 minutes or until lightly browned. Watch closely to determine the correct cooking time which will vary based upon microwave, width of slices and amount of oil used.
To bake in the oven
- Preheat oven to 225 degrees F.
- Place zucchini in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Lightly coat the tops of the zucchini with olive oil.
- Lightly season with salt.
- Bake for 40 minutes.
- Flip the zucchini slices, coat with olive oil and lightly season with salt.
- Bake for another 40 minutes or until zucchini slices are slightly browned.
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy!
Check out 15 Other Healthy Alternatives to Potato Chips for more fruit and vegetable chips. If you're a zucchini lover, you'll want to read Zucchini Recipes - 25 Unique Uses for this awesome vegetable.
morgan
YUM! I'm so making these for my afternoon "snack"! Thank you!
Marjory
Thanks for reading! I just love that there is a way to make these so quickly you can have them as a snack!
Patricia
Awesome! Can't wait to try this! Thanks for sharing!
Marjory
Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy them!
Stella
Thanks for posting this. I have been trying to make zucchini chips at home for a while but they just have not come out right. I am looking forward to trying this recipe.
Marjory
I hope you enjoy them!
Jamie
I tried these in the microwave and was wondering if the thickness is correct. 1/4 inch seems pretty thick. Can these be done thinner?
Marjory
Hi! I used a setting of 2 on my mandoline. You can cut them thinner, just watch the cook time closely.
jan
HI \
should i cover them?
Marjory
Hi! You do not need to cover them. 🙂
Amy
How many carbs? Are they low carb qualified? Look YUMMY!
Marjory
Hi! Thanks for stopping by. I'm really not sure how many carbs. I think an app like My Fitness Pal will give you an idea.
Tara J
These sounds great, and I love that there is a fast way to make them 🙂 Are these sturdy enough to handle being used with dips? Or are they more likely to stand up to a light spread on them. Just trying to plan what I'm going to make at the same time 🙂
Marjory
Hi! Thanks for stopping by. They are a bit delicate so dipping isn't really an option. But, you may be able to gently spread something on them! Enjoy!
Ann
I am older and would have trouble using my mandolin, so I use a Kitchenaid attachment slicer. They work great. I am looking forward to making a batch again. Thanks for the reminder.
Marjory
So glad you enjoyed them!
LindainCO
Sadly, mine cane out sloppy even after 13 minutes in the microwave.
Marjory
I'm so sorry to hear that! There are so many variables to consider - thickness of slices, moisture, amount of olive oil used and microwave power to name a few, but these are often a factor.
Jamie G
Mine took 13-14 minutes as well. Started with 1/8" slices, patted dry with paper towels. Sprayed the rotating glass plate with coconut oil, laid them out, sprayed them, season salted them (you weren't kidding when you said LIGHTLY!), then cooked for 4 minutes and they were nowhere near browning. Kept adding time until 14 minutes. They weren't crispy right out of the microwave but got crispier as they cooled. LIGHTLY sea salted the 2nd batch, flipped them at 10 minutes, then stopped at 13 minutes; those were better, as they browned equally on both sides. Super tasty dipped in low-sugar ketchup or seasoned mayo! Now that I know how my microwave behaves this will be how I salvage my soft zukes! Thanks for sharing!
JayneD
I just tried this and they turned out great. Will be making them again!
Courtney
Hey Marjory! LOVE this recipe! I’m wanting to batch prep these! Do you think either cooking option wouldnlaaf and stay crispy if prepped in bulk for lunches for the week?
Marjory
Hi! I'm so glad you liked them! I do think that they might soften a bit, so I wouldn't plan for more than a day or two. Definitely worth a try. I'd love to know how it works out!