Zucchini Cordon Bleu: the light main dish with zucchini

Zucchini Cordon Bleu is a fresh take on the classic Italian cordon bleu made with chicken. It’s easy to make and the perfect choice for a light main dish. It’s somewhat of a zucchini sandwich filled with cheese and ham, then breaded and fried. The result? A zucchini cordon bleu with a crispy outside, a tender bite, and a stringy cheese center.

Serve it on its own with a dipping sauce, as a side to a meaty main, or with a salad as a light lunch. To make it you will need large round zucchini, cheese slices, ham, eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, and oil for frying. To get the best results make sure to check out our tips below!

Tips

You can use any zucchini for this recipe – green and yellow will both work in this recipe. But make sure to use large round zucchini. This will give you bigger slices to work with.

If you want to make this dish low-carb and keto-friendly, you can substitute the flour with almond flour and parmesan in a ratio of 1:1.

Make sure to use an oil suitable for frying at higher temperatures. These include canola, peanut, sunflower, or corn oil. If you want to reuse the oil, allow it to cool, and strain it. You can use it a few times more.  Don’t make your oil too hot, otherwise the breading on the cordon bleu will burn before the zucchini is cooked through. Use a thermometer to heat the oil to about 350°F.

Don’t like frying? Bake them in the oven! Place the breaded zucchini on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and spray with cooking oil spray. Bake for 25 minutes at 425°F, turning halfway through.

You can also cook the zucchini cordon bleu in the Airfryer. Place the breaded zucchini in the Airfryer basket and spray with cooking oil spray. Air fry for 25 minutes at 375°F, turning halfway.

Make it vegetarian by leaving out the ham.

For extra crispiness, use Panko-style breadcrumbs.

For added flavor, season the flour with your favorite seasoning (garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, or make your own).

How To Store Zucchini Cordon Bleu

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat leftovers in an Airfryer or the oven, this will make the Cordon Bleu crispy again. You can reheat leftovers in the microwave, but the end result might be soggy.

How To Make Zucchini Cordon Bleu

Cut the zucchinis into slices for about a half-centimeter.

Layer a slice of cheese and ham on top of the zucchini slice.

Place a second zucchini slice on top and close it like a sandwich.

Beat the eggs and season them with salt and pepper. Now pass the stuffed zucchini first through the flour, then dip them in beaten eggs.

Coat the zucchini with breadcrumbs. Pass them again in the eggs and then in the breadcrumbs.

Heat oil in a pan until it's about 350°F, checking it with a thermometer. Deep-fry in hot oil for a few minutes or until golden brown on both sides.

Serve and enjoy!