These zucchini pizza bites are topped with marinara sauce and cheese, then broiled to melty, bubbly perfection. It’s the same irresistible pizza flavor but with more veggie power!
Whenever I crave pizza in the summer and zucchini is at its prime, these pizza bites are my go-to. Instead of using dough as the base, the zucchini delivers a lighter alternative. Zucchini pizza bites are tender, flavorful, and a great low-carb snack or appetizer.
Love zucchini? Check out these 18 zucchini recipes my family and I enjoy on repeat.
How To Make Zucchini Pizza Bites
This zucchini pizza bites recipe is crazy easy and quick to prepare — and by “quick” I mean a mere 10 minutes! Give these bites a try and see why my family and I are obsessed with them.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Slice the zucchini: Cut the zucchini into 1/4 inch thick slices using a sharp knife and place them on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Add the toppings: Top each slice with sauce, cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings.
- Bake the bites: Bake the bites for seven minutes, then broil until the tops are golden brown. Enjoy!
Hot tip: There’s no need to peel or core the zucchini — the skin and core helps the pizza bites keep their shape. Plus, the skin is nutritious!
Pick the Right Zucchini for Pizzas
Zucchini serves as the base for these pizza bites, so it’s important to be mindful at the grocery store or farmer’s stand when picking one out. Look out for these signs to make the perfect choice.
- Medium-sized: Medium zucchini have the best taste and enough space to fit toppings — six to eight inches long and about two inches wide is the ideal size. Large zucchini have big seeds and a soft center that doesn’t provide enough support for the toppings, whereas small zucchini won’t have enough space for the toppings.
- Ripe: Perfectly ripe zucchini are firm and have a deep green skin. Avoid very large or soft zucchini (as well as those with spots and bruises) as these signs may indicate they are overripe and have a bitter taste.
Zucchini Pizza Bite Variations
Are you exasperated trying to get your picky eaters to eat vegetables? As a mom, I can relate with kids not willing to try veggies. But, with a few customizations, you can really make any picky eater happy.
- Pepperoni: Go classic with a topping of mini pepperoni or tiny cubes of regular pepperoni.
- Veggie: Add more nutrients with small pieces of broccoli, bell pepper, mushrooms, black olives, and any other veggies you like.
- Margherita: Top the bites with diced tomatoes and fresh basil for an Italian flair.
- Meat lovers: Load up the protein with crumbled sausage, cooked bacon bits, and diced ham.
- Mushroom Alfredo: Swap the pizza sauce for our Alfredo sauce and add diced mushrooms for creamy indulgence.
- Cheese lovers: Mix and match your favorite cheese toppings, like cheddar, provolone, and mozzarella.
Tips From the Kitchen
Pizza should always be tasty, convenient, and customizable. Let’s go through a few tips to make sure your zucchini pizza bites check all these boxes.
- Use a good quality tomato sauce. A delicious pizza sauce adds the right amount of flavor and seasoning. Look for one with minimal ingredients, or make our marinara sauce to guarantee tasty homemade quality.
- Shred the cheese yourself. Buy block cheese and use a grater to make your own shredded cheese that melts perfectly. Pre-shredded cheese often contains starches that inhibit melting.
- Salt the zucchini. A sprinkle of salt helps to draw water out of the zucchini, adding flavor and preventing a mushy base. Sprinkle the salt and let it stand a few minutes, then pat the zucchini slice dry with a paper towel before adding the toppings.
- Add seasonings. The sauce and cheese are already flavorful on their own, but add Italian seasoning or a sprinkle of oregano if you like an extra herby pop on your pizza bites. To turn up the heat, add a dash of red pepper flakes.
Ways To Serve
Zucchini pizza bites are the perfect hand-held food to serve as an appetizer or pack for your kids’ lunches. Follow up with creamy Tuscan chicken pasta, a Caesar salad, and a fresh strawberry cobbler for a balanced and loaded meal. Are you packing these zucchini bites for your little ones? Throw in homemade sourdough crackers and avocado hummus for an extra treat!
Storing & Reheating Zucchini Pizza Bites
Leftovers absolutely deserve a second chance. Here are a few pointers to help you savor these bites again later.
- Storing: To store the bites for up to two days, place the leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Freezing is not recommended because the zucchini may become mushy.
- Reheating: For the best texture, reheat your pizza bites in the oven at 350°F for five minutes, or until the cheese melts. If you want a crispier version, air fry the leftovers for a couple minutes at 375°F. Or, for the quickest and easiest option, pop them in the microwave.
More Zucchini Recipes
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries — Crispy seasoned zucchini fries made in the air fryer
- Zucchini Casserole — A cheesy egg casserole with a medley of veggies
- Stuffed Zucchini Boats — Baked zucchini halves stuffed with ground beef, marinara, and cheese
- Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins — Moist, chocolatey muffins with a healthy twist
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large zucchini
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Cut the zucchini into 1/4 inch thick slices and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Top each piece with a bit of sauce in the center, and spread it around evenly.
- Top the bites off with cheese and your favorite pizza toppings. Bake for 7 minutes, then broil for an additional 3 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Enjoy!
What a great idea, these were so easy and good!
Hi Vee, Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Can not wait to make this!! Makin a run to my local farmers market this afternoon fer some nice fresh Zucc's!! As well as some Squash if they got some back in!! Thanks for the amazing and delicious recipe!!
Hi Dave, I hope they turned out delicious!