Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Breadsticks – Better Than Takeout

Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Breadsticks – Golden, melty, and irresistible! After making these many times, I discovered the trick to getting that perfect crispy texture. Keep reading for my best tips and why you’ll love this better-than-takeout appetizer. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli and Fluffy Cheesy Protein Biscuits 8-Pack.

Why This Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Breadsticks – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy crust with a soft, chewy interior.
- Melty cheese pulling with every bite.
- Easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes.
- Better than takeout and perfect for game nights or parties.
What You'll Need for Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Breadsticks – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Additional shredded cheese, for topping
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

📝 Ingredient Notes
- Zucchini: Make sure to squeeze out excess moisture before using.
- Flour: You can use all-purpose or bread flour for a chewier texture.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Box grater — Makes quick work of grating zucchini and cheese. → See on Amazon
- Pizza cutter — Easily cuts breadsticks into perfect portions. → See on Amazon

How to Make Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Breadsticks – Better Than Takeout
- Prepare zucchini: Grate zucchini using a box grater. Squeeze out excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth.
- Make dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Add grated zucchini, Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Shape breadsticks: Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, shape each half into a long, thin log about 1-inch thick. Cut each log into 10-12 breadsticks.
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bake: Place breadsticks on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Serve: Transfer breadsticks to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Breadsticks – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid adding too much flour when shaping the dough. This can make the breadsticks dry and tough. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, brush the breadsticks with a mixture of 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 clove minced garlic before baking.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, prepare the dough and shape the breadsticks. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, preheat the oven and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Breadsticks – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover breadsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the dough and shape the breadsticks up to 24 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Freezing Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Breadsticks – Better Than Takeout
Freeze baked breadsticks for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until heated through. Note that this may make the breadsticks soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Best substitution: Substitute the zucchini with yellow squash for a slightly sweeter flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dough and shape the breadsticks up to 24 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the breadsticks are not crispy enough, broil them for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Want to level up this recipe?
Pizza stone — Ensures even baking and a crispy crust. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Breadsticks – Better Than Takeout

Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Seasonings
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Additional shredded cheese, for topping
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare zucchini: Grate zucchini using a box grater. Squeeze out excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth.
- Make dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Add grated zucchini, Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Shape breadsticks: Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, shape each half into a long, thin log about 1-inch thick. Cut each log into 10-12 breadsticks.
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bake: Place breadsticks on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Serve: Transfer breadsticks to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Best substitution: Substitute the zucchini with yellow squash for a slightly sweeter flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dough and shape the breadsticks up to 24 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the breadsticks are not crispy enough, broil them for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover breadsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze baked breadsticks for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until heated through. Note that this may make the breadsticks soggy.
- Make ahead: Prepare the dough and shape the breadsticks up to 24 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Breadsticks – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the dough and shape the breadsticks up to 24 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Adding too much flour when shaping the dough can make the breadsticks dry and tough. Be careful not to add too much flour.
Yes, freeze baked breadsticks for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
Yes, preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange breadsticks in a single layer and air fry for 8-10 minutes or until golden and crispy. Flip halfway through cooking.
Yellow squash can be used as a substitute for zucchini in this recipe.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Breadsticks – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!






