Air Fryer Zucchinirn

a close up shot of Air Fryer Zucchinis on a plate

This air fryer zucchini is delicious, and we guarantee that you won't be able to resist going back for seconds!

Table of Contents

Air Fryer Zucchini Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe
How To Serve
When To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE
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Get ready to experience fantastic flavor in every bite of crispy yet tender air fryer zucchini. Perfectly seasoned on the outside, with just enough crunchy texture, this tasty side dish won’t disappoint.

overhead shot of Air Fryer Zucchinis on a plate

Air Fryer Zucchini Ingredients

Air Fryer Zucchini Bread raw ingredients that are labeled

There’s nothing quite like the crunchy coating you get when this breaded zucchini is cooked just right.

Plus, air frying also helps lock in much of the veggie’s natural flavor to create a side dish you won’t be able to stop eating.

To make this zucchini, you’ll need:

1½ cups of panko breadcrumbs
½ cup of grated parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons of onion powder
1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon of kosher salt
½ teaspoon of fresh cracked black pepper
2 medium-sized fresh zucchini (each zucchini weighed 7 ounces)
1 large egg
4 tablespoons of half and half

Substitutions And Additions

BREADCRUMBS: You can substitute plain breadcrumbs for the panko in this air fryer recipe, but it will have a different texture.

SPICY: If you’d like a spicy version, you can add chipotle powder or chili powder, or you can add hot sauce to the egg and half-and-half mixture.

COOKING SPRAY: You can substitute olive oil spray for non-stick cooking spray. You can substitute butter-flavored non-stick cooking spray for the non-stick cooking spray.

ZUCCHINI: If you’re looking to switch things up, you can try substituting the zucchini with yellow squash.

It has a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a great alternative for this recipe.

Just keep in mind that yellow squash can be slightly sweeter, so it might add a subtle hint of sweetness to the dish.

PARMESAN CHEESE: While parmesan cheese adds a savory, salty kick to this air-fried zucchini, you can experiment with other hard cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano.

These cheeses offer slightly different flavor profiles, adding a unique twist to your zucchini chips while still delivering that delicious cheesy goodness.

DRIED HERBS: You can customize the dried herbs to your liking. Instead of basil and oregano, try thyme and rosemary for a more aromatic, earthy flavor.

Experimenting with different herbs can add depth and complexity to your zucchini chips without straying too far from the original recipe.

How To Make This Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe

Making air-fried zucchini is the perfect way to get delicious, crunchy veggies in a matter of minutes!

Start off by slicing your zucchini into thin slices, and add the breading.

Let the zucchini cook in the air fryer for about ten minutes, and voilà! Perfectly cooked air fryer zucchini chips.

Follow our step-by-step directions below.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Make sure to check your air fryer manual for time guidelines for your specific air fryer model, as the cooking time and temperatures vary depending on the type of air fryer you have.

STEP ONE: Add the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, onion powder, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and pepper to a medium bowl. Stir to combine. Set it aside.

Panko, cheese, onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper

STEP TWO: Slice the end of the zucchini off and discard. Slice the zucchini into eighth-inch round slices.

PRO TIP:

If you prefer to slice your zucchini thicker than an eighth inch, remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

STEP THREE: Add the egg and half and half to a small bowl. Whisk to incorporate completely.

STEP FOUR: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

STEP FIVE: Dip the sliced zucchini into the egg mixture, then dip it into the breading mixture. Lay the breaded slices onto the prepared baking sheet.

Repeat for the remaining slices.

zucchini dipped into the egg mixture and the dipped into the breading mixture

STEP SIX: Remove the air fryer basket and spray with non-stick cooking spray.

STEP SEVEN: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for three minutes.

STEP EIGHT: Lay the breaded zucchini slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Generously spray the breaded zucchini slices with non-stick cooking spray.

Cook for nine to ten minutes. If you sliced your zucchini thicker, add extra time. I cooked my zucchini in four batches. Serve while hot.

PRO TIP:

Cooking the zucchini in a single layer will give you the best results.

If needed, you can cook it in several batches rather than trying to crowd them in the air fryer.

non stick cooking spray sprayed on the zucchini slices

How To Serve

To add an extra dose of flavor to this perfect side dish, top your air fryer zucchini chips off with an extra sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and chopped chives for an irresistible combination.

For the best meal, serve your air fryer zucchini fries alongside pasta salad and grilled chicken.

Make sure to add your favorite dipping sauce to dip your crispy zucchini in. Try marinara sauce or honey mustard sauce for two flavorful options.

Dice the zucchini chips and serve them over your morning scrambled eggs or omelet for a savory start to the day.

Enjoy your zucchini chips with a refreshing glass of iced tea, lemonade, or sparkling water infused with citrus slices.

Zucchini is an underappreciated vegetable, so let us show you a couple more delicious ways to enjoy it.

Try our zucchini boats and zucchini gratin for two cheesy ways to get started.

When To Serve

GAME DAY SNACK: These zucchini chips make for a fantastic game day snack, whether you’re watching football, basketball, or your favorite sports event.

APPETIZER: When hosting gatherings, serve these zucchini chips as an appetizer to kick off the festivities.

MOVIE NIGHT: Elevate your movie night experience with a bowl of these zucchini chips.

PICNIC: Pack these chips for a picnic in the park or a day at the beach. Their portability and deliciousness make them an ideal outdoor snack.

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Storage

Stick to making this recipe fresh, otherwise, the breading will not have the same delicious crunch.

MAKE AHEAD: While these zucchini chips are best enjoyed fresh for that ultimate crunch, you can prepare them in advance to save time.

Follow the recipe as directed, allowing the chips to cool completely after cooking. Once cooled, transfer them to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.

Store them at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to keep them longer, follow the fridge or freezer instructions below.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftover zucchini in an airtight container in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the zucchini slices in the air fryer to re-crisp the slices.

IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend freezing this zucchini as the breading will become soggy once thawed.

Why We Love This Recipe

CRISPY GOODNESS: These zucchini chips achieve the perfect level of crispiness thanks to the air fryer.

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS: The recipe uses simple and readily available ingredients. You don’t need anything fancy to create a delicious and wholesome snack.

QUICK AND EASY: This recipe is incredibly easy to make, and the air fryer speeds up the cooking process. It’s perfect for those moments when you need a quick and satisfying snack.

close up shot of Air Fryer Zucchini on a air fryer

Enjoy the amazing crunch of zucchini paired with the perfect seasoning blend. This delicious side dish is excellent for getting your daily dose of vegetables without sacrificing taste. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this air fryer zucchini recipe takes no time at all to prepare and cook.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you slice zucchini for the air fryer?

For this recipe, you will want to slice the zucchini into ⅛-inch rounds.

If you want to slice them any thicker, make sure to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.

How do I know when my air-fried zucchini is done?

This easy side dish should cook in about ten minutes if you follow the instructions above.

The breading should be a nice golden brown color when it is cooked.

Can I use frozen zucchini to make this fried zucchini in the air fryer recipe?

For best results, we recommend using fresh zucchini for this great recipe.

Frozen zucchini won’t have the same crispness that is needed to hold up while cooking.

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