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One bite of this crispy zucchini grilled cheese with garlic butter and you’ll never go back to plain toast again. I first created this recipe during a leftover experiment—shredded zucchini from baking, garlic butter from pasta night, and extra cheddar in the fridge. The result? A sandwich that’s golden, cheesy, crunchy on the outside, and soft inside with sneaky veggies packed in. It’s now my favorite comfort food with a healthy edge. Whether you’re cooking for kids or indulging in a cozy lunch, this zucchini grilled cheese is your new go-to.
Comfort Food with a Veggie Boost
Grilled cheese is classic, but this version sneaks in zucchini to add moisture, texture, and nutrients. It’s one of those healthy zucchini recipes that doesn’t feel like a compromise. My kids devour it without realizing they’re eating veggies, and the garlic butter crust is pure magic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s crispy, buttery, loaded with melted cheddar cheese, and made with a zucchini base. You can prep it in under 20 minutes with pantry staples, and it pairs beautifully with tomato soup or a simple green salad.
What You Need to Make Zucchini Grilled Cheese
Zucchini “Bread” Base
We’re not using traditional bread here. Instead, we’ll mix shredded zucchini with eggs, flour (or gluten-free alternative), and seasoning to make golden “buns” that hold the cheese.
Cheesy Filling & Garlic Butter
- Shredded cheddar cheese: melts best
- Butter + garlic: brushed on each side for a crisp, garlicky crust
- Optional: Add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes
Tips for Crispy, Golden Perfection
Drain the Zucchini Well
Grated zucchini contains a lot of water. Salt it and squeeze through a towel or cheesecloth to get the best texture. Otherwise, your sandwich will fall apart.
Use a Non-Stick or Cast Iron Pan
This helps the crust crisp without burning. Medium heat works best—let the sandwich brown slowly so the cheese has time to melt.
Step-by-Step Zucchini Grilled Cheese Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 medium zucchinis, grated
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup almond flour or gluten-free flour
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions:
- Grate zucchini and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 10 minutes, then squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
- In a bowl, mix drained zucchini with eggs, flour, onion powder, and pepper until it forms a batter.
- Heat a skillet with a bit of butter. Scoop ¼ cup of zucchini mixture per sandwich half into the pan and flatten slightly to form rounds.
- Cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Set aside.
- Combine softened butter and garlic. Spread on one side of each zucchini round.
- Layer cheddar cheese between two zucchini rounds (buttered sides out), and grill for 2–3 minutes per side until cheese is melted and outside is crispy.
- Serve hot!
Crispy Zucchini Grilled Cheese with Garlic Butter
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
Description
Crispy, cheesy zucchini grilled cheese made with a garlic butter crust. This easy sandwich uses zucchini-based bread rounds, melted cheddar cheese, and simple ingredients for a healthier twist on comfort food.
Ingredients
2 medium zucchinis, grated
½ tsp salt
2 eggs
⅓ cup almond flour or gluten-free flour
½ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp pepper
1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 tbsp butter
1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
1. Grate zucchini and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 10 minutes, then squeeze out moisture.
2. Mix zucchini with eggs, flour, onion powder, and pepper to form a batter.
3. In a skillet, cook ¼ cup scoops of batter for 3–4 minutes per side to form rounds.
4. Mix garlic and butter. Spread on outer side of each zucchini round.
5. Assemble with shredded cheese between two rounds (buttered side out).
6. Grill for 2–3 minutes per side until cheese is melted and outside is crispy.
7. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use mozzarella or provolone for variation.
Bake the zucchini rounds if preferred.
Reheat leftovers in a skillet or air fryer to restore crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Pan Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Crispy Zucchini Grilled Cheese, Easy Zucchini Recipes, Melted Cheddar Cheese
Serving Suggestions & Variations
What to Serve With Zucchini Grilled Cheese
Pair with:
- Tomato soup
- Fresh salad
- Roasted veggies
- Or just serve with ketchup or marinara for dipping
Add-Ins & Variations
- Add sliced tomatoes or caramelized onions inside
- Use a cheese blend (mozzarella + cheddar)
- Make it spicy with jalapeños or crushed chili flakes
- Add turkey slices for a protein boost
FAQ About Zucchini Grilled Cheese
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Almond flour or oat flour works beautifully.
Can I use regular bread?
Yes, you can spread garlic butter on bread and still add shredded zucchini to the cheese layer.
What cheese works best?
Cheddar melts perfectly, but mozzarella, provolone, or Swiss are great too.
Can I bake instead of pan-fry?
For the zucchini rounds, yes—bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes until firm, then assemble and finish grilling.
Can I freeze these?
Freeze the zucchini “bread” separately, then reheat and assemble when ready.