Vegan & Gluten-Free Zucchini Spider Bites

 Halloween might be behind us, but the cozy eeriness of early November is still in the air... Candles, cold evenings, and that strange comfort of baking something warm when it’s already dark outside.

These Zucchini Spider Bites are my way to hold onto that feeling a bit longer. They’re playful, savory, and just the right mix of healthy and satisfying, with a layer of vegan salami under the melted cheese, giving every bite a rich, smoky flavor.

They’re fun to make, easy to share, and look almost too cute to eat (almost) 😉

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Zucchini Spider Bites

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Prep time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes

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Ingredients

• 1 large zucchini (cut into 1 cm / ½-inch slices)

• 3 tbsp tomato paste or sugar-free pizza sauce

• ½ cup shredded vegan cheese

• 5–6 slices vegan salami (cut into smaller pieces)

• A handful of black olives (pitted)

• Dried oregano or Italian herbs

• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the zucchini base: slice the zucchini into thick rounds, pat them dry, and arrange on the baking sheet.

3. Add toppings: spread a thin layer of tomato paste or pizza sauce over each slice. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and herbs.

4. Layer with protein: place a small piece of vegan salami on each zucchini slice.

5. Add cheese: sprinkle shredded vegan cheese evenly on top.

6. Make the spiders:

   • Slice one olive in half lengthwise for the body.

   • Cut another olive into thin strips for the legs (four per side).

   • Arrange the "spider" on top of the cheese.

7. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the cheese melts and the zucchini softens.

8. Serve warm, right from the oven, because they taste the best fresh.

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Notes

• You can replace vegan salami with smoked tofu (crumbled or thinly sliced) or tempeh for a higher-protein version.

• Brush the zucchini lightly with lemon juice before baking for extra crisp edges.

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Nutritional Information (per 1 bite, based on 10 pieces)

• Calories: ~38 kcal

• Protein: 1.8 g

• Fat: 2.2 g

• Carbohydrates: 2.9 g

• Fiber: 0.7 g

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