Air Fryer Zucchini Chips: A Healthy, Easy Treat

Air fryer zucchini chips are a tasty, healthier alternative to potato chips. They can be made with simple ingredients and are a great way to use up an abundance of zucchini from the garden. The chips are crispy, golden brown, and can be seasoned in a variety of ways. They can be served as a side dish or snack and are best enjoyed fresh out of the fryer.

Choosing and preparing the zucchini

Choosing the right zucchini is key to making delicious zucchini chips in an air fryer. When buying zucchini, look for small to medium-sized ones that will have a nice "chip" shape when sliced into rounds. Avoid using particularly large zucchini, as they tend to be too seedy and watery, making it difficult to achieve the desired crispiness.

Once you've selected the perfect zucchini, it's time to prepare them for cooking. Start by washing them thoroughly. Then, cut off both ends of each zucchini and slice them into thin, even rounds, ideally about 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline for this step to ensure uniform thickness. There is no need to peel the zucchini.

After slicing, it's important to remove any excess moisture from the zucchini rounds. Use a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel to pat them dry. This step is crucial as it helps the zucchini chips crisp up nicely during cooking.

Now, you have the option to season the zucchini slices with salt and pepper to enhance their flavour. Additionally, you can toss them with a small amount of olive oil at this stage, which will help with browning and add a rich flavour to the chips. However, it's important not to use too much oil, as it can prevent the chips from crisping up properly.

Finally, arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet. This step is crucial, as overcrowding can lead to soggy chips. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the zucchini chips in batches to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.

Creating the coating

Start by preparing three wide, shallow bowls or pie plates for the dredging process. In the first bowl, whisk together some all-purpose flour and cornstarch. You can adjust the amounts based on the number of zucchini you're using, but a typical ratio is half a cup of flour to two tablespoons of cornstarch.

In the second bowl, lightly beat a few eggs. The exact quantity of eggs will depend on the number of zucchini, but you'll likely need between one and three large eggs. Whisk them well to combine the yolks and whites.

For the final bowl, it's time to make the breadcrumb mixture. Combine breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and grated Parmesan cheese. The amount of breadcrumbs you need will depend on the number of zucchini, but a good starting point is one cup of unseasoned breadcrumbs. For the seasonings, a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, a teaspoon of garlic powder, and a teaspoon of ground black pepper are good starting points. As for salt, a teaspoon should be enough, but you can adjust to taste. Finally, for the Parmesan cheese, a quarter cup of freshly grated Parmesan will add a nice savory note. Whisk all these ingredients together in the third bowl.

Now that your dredging station is set up, it's time to coat the zucchini slices. Start by dredging the zucchini rounds in the flour mixture. Be sure to coat them evenly on all sides. After that, dip them into the egg mixture, making sure they're well-coated. Finally, it's time for the breadcrumb mixture. Coat the zucchini slices generously with the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring an even coating.

Once your zucchini slices are coated, you can place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet while you prepare the rest. This recipe typically involves cooking the zucchini in batches, so having them ready on a baking sheet makes it easier to transfer them to the air fryer.

Before placing the coated zucchini into the air fryer, spritz or spray them lightly with olive oil or cooking spray. This step will help ensure a crispy texture.

Cooking the zucchini chips

Pre-air fryer prep

Before you start cooking, you'll need to prep your zucchini. Wash your zucchini and cut off each end. Then, cut the zucchini into thin, even slices or rounds. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline to do this. Try to cut the zucchini to around 1/4-inch thickness, or even thinner if you can. The thinner the zucchini, the crispier it will be.

Once you've sliced your zucchini, sprinkle or toss the slices with salt. This will draw out moisture and prevent the chips from becoming soggy. Leave the salted zucchini for around 5 minutes, then pat dry with a paper towel.

Next, set up your breading station. You'll need three shallow bowls or plates. In the first bowl, mix flour with cornstarch or almond flour. In the second bowl, lightly beat an egg or two. In the third bowl, mix breadcrumbs with parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Now you can start breading the zucchini. First, dredge the zucchini rounds in the flour mixture, then dip them in the egg, and finally, coat them in the breadcrumb mixture. Set the coated zucchini on a plate or baking sheet until you're ready to add them to the air fryer.

Air frying

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F. Spritz or spray the tops of the zucchini rounds with olive oil or cooking spray. Then, place the zucchini in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap.

Air fry the zucchini for around 5 minutes, then flip them over and spritz or spray the other side with oil. Air fry for another 5 minutes or until crispy and golden.

Repeat this process with the remaining batches of zucchini, making sure you don't overcrowd the air fryer. Serve the zucchini chips immediately for the best texture and taste.

Tips

• Don't skip the olive oil! It's essential for helping the zucchini chips brown and adding flavour.
• If your air fryer doesn't have a single layer setting, you may need to cook the zucchini in batches.
• The zucchini chips are best when freshly cooked, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer the next day.
• To customise your zucchini chips, try adding different spices to the breadcrumb mixture, such as taco seasoning, ranch dressing mix, chipotle chilli powder, garlic powder, or onion powder.
• Serve your zucchini chips with a dipping sauce such as marinara, ranch, pesto, or romesco sauce.

Storing and reheating the zucchini chips

Storing and reheating zucchini chips:

Zucchini chips are best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container overnight. To prevent the chips from getting soggy, place paper towels at the bottom of the container and between layers of zucchini chips. This will help absorb any excess moisture.

To reheat, place the zucchini chips in a preheated air fryer and cook at 400°F (200°C) for 2-3 minutes per side until warmed through. They may not be as crispy as when first cooked, but they will still taste delicious.

If you want to prepare the zucchini chips in advance, you can slice the zucchini and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bread and air fry them. This way, you can enjoy the chips at their crispiest and freshest.

Additionally, if your zucchini chips lose their crispness during storage, you can pop them back into the air fryer at the lowest temperature setting for about a minute to help them crisp up again.

Dipping sauces

There are many different sauces that can be used for dipping zucchini chips made in an air fryer. Here are some ideas:

Marinara Sauce

This is a popular choice for zucchini chips, as the slightly acidic tomato flavour complements the zucchini well.

Pesto

The nutty, herby flavour of pesto is a great match for zucchini chips, especially if you want something a little more indulgent.

Romesco Sauce

A romesco sauce, made from roasted red peppers, almonds, and garlic, is a perfect dip for zucchini chips if you want something a little more sophisticated.

Ranch Dressing

A cool, creamy ranch dressing can help to balance out the crispy texture of the zucchini chips.

Tahini Sauce

Tahini sauce is a great option if you're looking for something a little different. It has a creamy texture and a slightly nutty flavour that pairs well with the zucchini.

Salsa

If you're looking for something with a bit more of a kick, salsa is a great option. The fresh, spicy flavours of classic tomato salsa or salsa verde can help to enhance the flavour of the zucchini chips.

Hot Dips

For something a little more indulgent, you could try serving your zucchini chips with hot dips such as crab dip, spinach dip, or sausage rotel dip.

Cold Dips

Alternatively, cold dips such as pate or cold crab dip can also be a great pairing with zucchini chips.

Frequently asked questions