Baked Zucchini Sticks with Marinara Sauce

Ingredients

• 4 medium zucchini squash
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons Italian bread dip seasoning
• 1 cup buttermilk (or almond milk)
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Cooking spray
• 8 oz marinara sauce, for serving

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Place wire rack in rimmed baking sheet. Cut ends from zucchini; cut into thirds, then into 1/2-inch-wide strips.  
2. Combine flour and seasoning in shallow bowl. Place buttermilk in second shallow bowl. Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan, if using, in third shallow bowl. Dredge zucchini in flour coating all sides (shake off excess), dip into buttermilk (letting excess drip off), and coat with bread crumb mixture, pressing with fingers to adhere. Arrange breaded zucchini on wire rack and coat with spray. Bake 12–15 minutes until golden.  
3. Meanwhile, heat marinara sauce following package instructions. Serve zucchini sticks with marinara for dipping.