Air-Fryer Zucchini: Quick, Easy, And Healthy

Air-fried zucchini is a tasty, low-calorie, low-carb, and low-fat snack that can be prepared in under 15 minutes. The air fryer is the perfect way to cook vegetables, and zucchini is no exception. You can season the zucchini with olive oil, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, or get creative with breading and spices. The result is a tender-crisp zucchini with a delicious texture that is creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Zucchini

Air fryer zucchini chips

Ingredients

• 2 medium-sized zucchini
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup panko
• 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (or vegan Parmesan)
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F.
• Cut the zucchini into thin slices (about 1/8"- 1/3" thick).
• Sprinkle salt generously on the zucchini slices and let them sit for 5-10 minutes.
• Pat the zucchini slices dry with a paper towel or kitchen cloth.
• In a bowl, whisk the egg.
• Combine the panko, Parmesan cheese, and almond flour on a plate.
• Dip each zucchini slice into the beaten egg, then into the panko mixture, pressing to coat.
• Place the coated zucchini slices in the air fryer basket, leaving some space around each one.
• Drizzle olive oil over the zucchini slices.
• Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip the slices and cook for an additional 2-5 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
• Serve immediately, plain or with a sauce for dipping, such as marinara, pesto, or romesco.

Tips

• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the zucchini chips in the oven at 400°F for 10 minutes.
• You can also experiment with different spices and seasonings, such as oregano, chili powder, or cumin.

Air fryer zucchini spears

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchini
• 2 teaspoons of cooking oil
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/8 teaspoon of pepper
• Fresh parsley (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Trim the ends off each zucchini.
• Cut the zucchini into spears about 1/3" thick. Thicker spears will prevent overcooking.
• Place the zucchini spears into a bowl and toss them with the cooking oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning.
• Arrange the zucchini spears in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Air fry at 400°F for 5-10 minutes, or until the zucchini reaches your desired level of doneness.
• Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired.
• Enjoy your delicious and healthy air fryer zucchini spears!

Tips

• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the zucchini on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes or until tender-crisp.
• Zucchini cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
• For a creamier texture, dip the zucchini spears in a batter made of flour, water, and seasonings before coating them in breadcrumbs and air frying.

Air fryer zucchini slices

Ingredients:

• Zucchini
• Olive oil or cooking oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Fresh parsley (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Trim the ends off your zucchini and slice them into discs about 1/3" thick.
• Place the zucchini slices into a bowl and toss them with 2 teaspoons of oil, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper. You can also season with other spices like garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, or dried oregano.
• Transfer the zucchini slices to the air fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer with a bit of space between each slice. You may need to cook in batches.
• Air fry for 5-10 minutes, or until the zucchini reaches your desired level of doneness.
• Garnish with fresh parsley and more Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!

Tips:

• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the zucchini in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
• Zucchini cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
• For a creamier texture, try breading the zucchini slices with flour, water, and breadcrumbs before air frying.

Air fryer zucchini fries

Ingredients

• 2 small-to-medium zucchini
• 2 teaspoons of cooking oil (olive oil or avocado oil)
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/8 teaspoon of pepper
• Fresh parsley (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Trim the ends off the zucchini.
• Cut the zucchini into 1/3" thick slices or 1/2" thick discs.
• Place the zucchini slices in a medium bowl.
• Add the cooking oil, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
• Toss the zucchini until they are evenly coated.
• Arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch each other.
• Air fry for 5 minutes.
• Toss the zucchini by shaking the basket.
• Air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the zucchini reaches your desired level of doneness.
• Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired.
• Enjoy your zucchini fries!

Tips:

• If you want to add more flavour, you can season the zucchini with dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning.
• For a crispy texture, ensure the zucchini slices are not too thin and leave space between them in the air fryer.
• For a creamy sauce to dip your zucchini fries in, you can try a combination of olive oil, herbs, and Parmesan cheese.

Air fryer zucchini preparation

Air fryer zucchini is a tasty and healthy treat that can be prepared in a few simple steps. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare it:

Ingredients:

You will need zucchini, olive oil or cooking oil, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, and basic seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and basil or oregano.

Preparation:

Start by trimming the ends off your zucchini and slicing it into 1/3-inch thick discs or 1/2-inch thick slices. You can also cut them lengthwise into halves or quarters. The thickness of the slices will impact the cooking time and the final texture, so adjust according to your preference.

Next, in a medium-sized bowl, toss the zucchini slices with the olive oil or cooking spray and your desired seasonings. Ensure the zucchini pieces are evenly coated. If you're making zucchini chips, dip each piece into a wet batter of flour, water, and seasonings, then coat them with breadcrumbs before placing them in the air fryer.

Cooking:

Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F. Place the seasoned zucchini slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to cook the zucchini in batches to ensure even cooking.

Cook the zucchini for 5-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. For basket-style air fryers, shake the basket halfway through cooking to prevent the slices from sticking or becoming underdone.

Your zucchini is ready when it is golden brown and crispy on the outside but still slightly firm in the middle. Sprinkle with lemon juice and garnish with fresh parsley and more Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions