EASY Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are Healthy and Fast
How to cook zucchini in the air fryer!
There are a few different ways to cook zucchini in the air fryer, but one of my favorites is zucchini fries! Even my kids enjoyed eating zucchini this way! I mean, it’s no chocolate zucchini bread, but it is still a delicious zucchini recipe. 😉
This recipe works best with a small-medium zucchini, but it you have a large one to use up, just make the zucchini pieces about 1/2-inch thick and 3 to 4 inches long.
In the America’s Test Kitchen Air Fryer Perfection recipe for zucchini fries, it is recommended to remove the watery inner seed pulp from the zucchini to keep the breading from getting soggy. Using a peeler to shave it away from the quartered zucchini is easy and fast! (This cookbook is also where I got the simple yogurt dip part of the recipe I’m sharing with you today.)
Air fried zucchini breading
After prepping the zucchini and dredging it in egg, it’s time for the breading!
The best texture and flavor option for breading the zucchini fries is panko. It is light and crispy! If you don’t have panko, you can just use bread crumbs. Use almond flour instead to make it gluten-free or low carb or keto.
Seasoning options for zucchini fries
I love the classic combo of the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper on this air fryer zucchini, but there are some other yummy options you can try out!
- Cajun seasoning
- taco seasoning
- Ranch seasoning
- or any other favorite seasoning blend
How long to cook zucchini in the air fryer
One of the best things about the air fryer is how it can cook veggies and other things faster than in the oven. Zucchini only takes about 9 to 10 minutes to cook in the air fryer!
Air fried zucchini serving suggestions
Air fryer zucchini fries are great as an appetizer, snack, or side dish. Delicious with or without a dip! This simple yogurt dip is bright and fresh. I use one of the individual 5.3-ounce cups of plain Greek yogurt and mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Done!
Marinara or fry sauce are a few other great dip options!
This is such a great, easy, and delicious way to use up zucchini from the garden! I will definitely be making zucchini fries in the air fryer regularly while zucchini is in season.
Check out more of our favorite zucchini recipes.
See more air fryer recipes!
EASY Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are Healthy and Fast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini about 10 ounces
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup panko or almond flour or bread crumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- pinch of salt and pepper
- oil for spraying
Optional yogurt dip:
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise, then cut each of those pieces in half lengthwise again. Using a vegetable peeler, shave seeds from inner portion of each zucchini quarter. Then cut the pieces in half crosswise, so you end up with 16 pieces total that are about 1/2-inch thick and 3 to 4 inches long.
- In a shallow bowl, lightly beat the egg. In another shallow bowl, combine the panko (or almond flour or bread crumbs), Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dredge the zucchini pieces in the egg, then in the crumb mixture. Gently press crumbs to zucchini to coat and adhere.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to help prevent the zucchini from sticking. Arrange half of the zucchini pieces in the basket in a single layer, spaced evenly apart. Spray zucchini with the oil to help evenly brown. Arrange remaining zucchini on top, perpendicular to first layer. Spray with oil.
- Cook in air fryer at 400°F for 9-10 minutes, or until breading is crisp and golden.
- For the yogurt dip, whisk the yogurt, lemon zest, juice, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Serve with zucchini fries.
Hi,
Can I leave out the cheese?
Hey Sheri, that should be fine. I haven’t tried it, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.