Tiffany Haney
If you're looking for a quick, easy, and healthy snack, air fryer breaded zucchini could be your new go-to. With a crunchy, crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior, these zucchini fries or chips are a delicious appetizer or side dish. They're also a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies! Ready in less than 20 minutes, this recipe is perfect for when you're short on time but craving something savory.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Breaded Zucchini
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Breadcrumbs | Panko |
| Other Ingredients | Parmesan, Cornmeal, Flour, Cornstarch, Egg, Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning |
| Temperature | 375-400°F |
| Cooking Time | 8-15 minutes |
| Cooking Method | Preheat air fryer, dredge zucchini in flour, dip in egg, coat with breadcrumbs, place in air fryer in a single layer, cook, flip halfway |
| Serving Suggestions | Marinara sauce, ranch dressing, creamy pesto-yogurt mix |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in ensuring your breaded zucchini cooks evenly and turns out crispy. The ideal temperature for preheating your air fryer is 400°F, which is around 200°C. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, you can manually preheat it by setting it to 400°F for 5 minutes while you prepare the zucchini.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your zucchini slices and the dredging station. Cut the zucchini into 1/4-inch thick slices or sticks. Set up three shallow bowls or plates: one with flour and cornstarch, one with beaten eggs, and another with breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add cornmeal to the breading mixture for some extra crunch.
Once you've prepared the zucchini and the dredging station, you can start breading the zucchini. First, dip the zucchini slices in the flour, then the egg mixture, and finally, the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to press gently when coating the zucchini with the breadcrumb mixture.
After you've breaded several zucchini slices, it's time to place them in the air fryer. Place the zucchini in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space around each slice to allow for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the zucchini in batches to avoid overcrowding.
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Prepare the zucchini
Preparing the zucchini is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. First, you'll want to slice the zucchini into even pieces. For zucchini chips, cut the zucchini into 1/4-inch thick rounds. If you prefer zucchini fries, cut the zucchini into sticks or strips. Try to keep the pieces a similar size so they cook evenly.
Once you have your zucchini pieces, set up a dredging or breading station. You'll need three wide, shallow bowls or plates. In the first bowl, whisk together some flour and cornstarch. You can also just use flour or cornstarch on its own. In the second bowl, lightly beat an egg or two, depending on the amount of zucchini you're cooking. In the third bowl, combine your breadcrumbs, cheese, and seasonings. A good basic mixture is Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. For added flavour, you can also add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or Adobo seasoning. If you want an extra crispy texture, you can pulse the breadcrumbs in a food processor first to make them finer, which will help them stick to the zucchini better.
Now you're ready to bread the zucchini. First, dip each zucchini piece into the flour mixture, coating all sides. Then, dip it into the egg, letting the excess drip off. Finally, coat the zucchini with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to help it stick. Place the breaded zucchini on a plate and repeat until all the zucchini pieces are coated. You can also drizzle or spritz the breaded zucchini with olive oil at this point, which will help them brown and add flavour.
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Create the breading
To create the breading, you'll need breadcrumbs. Using Panko breadcrumbs is recommended for that extra crispiness, but regular breadcrumbs or Italian breadcrumbs will also work. If you want to add some colour and flavour, you can pulse the Panko breadcrumbs to make them finer, which will also help them stick to the zucchini slices better.
You can season the breadcrumbs with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and cheese such as Parmesan or Asiago. You can also add cornmeal for some extra crunch. Mix the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl.
Next, you'll need to prepare the egg wash. Beat an egg in a separate bowl. You can add some garlic salt and pepper to the egg wash for extra flavour.
Now you're ready to bread the zucchini! First, dip each zucchini slice into the egg wash, letting any excess drip off, and then into the breadcrumb mixture. Gently press the zucchini into the breadcrumbs to ensure they're fully coated. Place the breaded zucchini slices on a plate and drizzle or spritz with olive oil.
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Cook the zucchini
To cook the zucchini, start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F. If your air fryer does not have a preheat function, set it to run at 400°F for 5 minutes while you prepare the zucchini.
Next, prepare your dredging station. In one bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: breadcrumbs (Panko is recommended for extra crispiness), almond flour, Parmesan, and seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning). In a separate bowl, beat an egg. You can also add some cheese to the egg mixture if you like.
Slice the zucchini into 1/4-inch rounds or sticks, and pat them dry. Bread each zucchini slice by dipping it in the egg, followed by the dry mixture. Place the breaded zucchini slices on a plate and drizzle them with olive oil.
Once your air fryer is preheated, place the zucchini slices in a single layer in the basket, leaving a little space around each one to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the zucchini in batches.
If you are cooking zucchini fries, you may need to turn them a couple of times during the cooking process to ensure all sides are golden and crispy.
You can keep the cooked zucchini warm in the air fryer by setting it to 400°F for 1-2 minutes.
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Make a dip
While your zucchini chips are cooking in the air fryer, you can make a dip to go with them. This can be a simple combination of sour cream and parmesan cheese, whisked together in a small bowl. You can also add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and dill, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
If you want to serve your zucchini with a warm dip, you could try a warmed marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or a creamy pesto-yogurt mix. These dips will complement the crispy texture of the zucchini chips and add extra flavour.
For a healthier option, you could also try a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing, or a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.
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Frequently asked questions
First, slice the zucchini into 1/4-inch rounds and pat them dry. Mix together the breadcrumbs, almond flour, Parmesan, and salt and pepper in a medium bowl, and beat an egg in a small bowl. Bread each zucchini slice by dipping it in the egg, followed by the breadcrumb mixture. Place the breaded zucchini slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, drizzle with olive oil or spritz with cooking spray, and cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Panko breadcrumbs are recommended for ultra-crispy zucchini fries. You can also add cornmeal to the breading mixture for some extra crunch.
Drizzling olive oil over the zucchini before placing them in the air fryer will help them brown and taste more rich and flavorful.
Cooked zucchini chips will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for around 4 days.
Breaded zucchini goes well with a variety of dipping sauces, such as marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or a creamy pesto-yogurt mix.
