Air Fryer Zucchini Chips: Crispy, Healthy Snacking

If you're looking for a healthy snack, side dish, or appetizer, air fryer zucchini chips are a great option. They're easy to make and only require a handful of simple ingredients. The key to getting them crispy is to cut the zucchini into thin slices (about 1/8-inch thick), pat them dry, and cook them in a single layer in the air fryer. You can also sprinkle them with Parmesan cheese for extra flavor and crispiness. Serve them plain or with a dipping sauce such as marinara, ranch, or a simple herb-yogurt sauce.

Choosing the right zucchini

• Size: Look for medium-sized zucchini. Avoid particularly large ones as they tend to be too seedy and watery, making it difficult to achieve crisp chips. Smaller zucchini are ideal as they have a higher proportion of skin to flesh, resulting in a better texture for chips.
• Freshness: Opt for fresh, firm zucchini with bright, vibrant skin. Avoid zucchini that are wilted, have soft spots, or wrinkled skin as these signs indicate they are past their prime.
• Texture: Choose zucchini with smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid zucchini with nicks, cuts, or bruises as these can affect the overall quality of your chips.
• Colour: Look for zucchini with a deep, rich green colour. A vibrant colour is an indicator of freshness and flavour. Avoid zucchini with dull or yellowing skin.
• Firmness: Gently squeeze the zucchini to ensure it feels firm but not too hard. It should have some give but should not be mushy or overly soft.
• Gender: Yes, zucchini have genders! For air fryer chips, look for male zucchini which tend to have fewer seeds and a more compact shape. You can identify male zucchini by the thin neck and blossom end, while female zucchini have a thicker neck with a blossom end that looks like a small cap.

Selecting the right zucchini is the first step to ensuring your air fryer chips turn out crispy and delicious. With these tips in mind, you're well on your way to creating a tasty snack!

Preparing the zucchini

Firstly, select the right zucchini. Look for small to medium-sized zucchini, as larger ones tend to be too seedy and watery for crispy chips. You'll want about 1-2 zucchini, depending on the size and your desired yield.

Next, wash the zucchini and trim off both ends. Using a sharp knife or a mandoline, slice the zucchini into thin, even rounds, about 1/8 to 1/4-inch thick. The mandoline will ensure uniform slices, which is important for even cooking. There's no need to peel the zucchini.

Once sliced, blot the zucchini rounds with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial, as zucchini has a high water content, and you want your chips to be crispy. You can also sprinkle the slices with a small amount of salt, let them sit for 5-10 minutes, and then pat them dry again to draw out even more moisture.

At this point, you can choose to bread the zucchini slices or simply season them. For a simple, unbreaded option, toss the slices with a small amount of olive oil or cooking spray and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick.

If you prefer breaded zucchini chips, set up a breading station with three shallow bowls or pie plates. In the first bowl, whisk together some all-purpose flour and cornstarch. In the second bowl, lightly beat an egg. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Now, it's time to coat the zucchini rounds. Dredge them in the flour mixture, dip them in the egg, and finally, coat them in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure each slice is well-coated, and then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet until you're ready to air fry.

With your zucchini slices prepared, you're almost ready to start cooking! Just remember to preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F before adding the zucchini, and you'll be good to go!

Making the coating

The coating for your zucchini chips can be as simple or as complex as you like. A basic coating can be made by tossing the zucchini slices in olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper.

If you want to make a breaded coating, you'll need to set up a breading station with three shallow bowls or pie plates. In the first bowl, whisk together flour and cornstarch. In the second bowl, lightly beat some eggs. In the third bowl, mix together breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese.

Dredge the zucchini slices in the flour mixture, then dip them in the beaten eggs, and finally, coat them in the breadcrumb mixture. Set the coated slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet until you're ready to add them to the air fryer.

For a vegan alternative, replace the egg with a mixture of plant milk and ground flaxseed. You can also add almond flour to the breading mixture for a nutty depth of flavor.

Air-frying the zucchini

While the air fryer is heating up, prepare your zucchini. You'll want to slice the zucchini into thin, even rounds, ideally about 1/8-inch thick. You can do this with a sharp knife, but a mandoline will make the process quicker and easier. Aim for a small to medium zucchini, as larger ones tend to be too seedy and watery.

Once sliced, sprinkle the zucchini rounds with a small amount of salt, no more than 1/4 teaspoon, and let them sit for 5 minutes. This will help draw out moisture, ensuring crispier chips. After 5 minutes, pat the zucchini dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.

Now, it's time to add some flavour. Place the zucchini in a medium bowl and toss with a light coating of olive oil, and season with salt and pepper, or any other seasonings of your choice. Go easy on the oil and seasoning, as too much can prevent crisping.

Next, arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don't overcrowd the basket, as this will lead to soggy chips. Work in batches if needed. Give the tops of the zucchini a final spritz of olive oil or cooking spray, and place in the air fryer.

Cook the zucchini chips for around 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Keep an eye on them, as the exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the thickness of your slices. You're aiming for a golden-brown colour.

Once they're crispy and golden, remove the zucchini chips from the air fryer and serve immediately. They're best enjoyed fresh, but if you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer for a minute or two to crisp them up again.

Dipping sauces

Marinara Sauce

The most popular choice for dipping sauce to accompany zucchini chips is marinara sauce. This sauce is a simple yet delicious option to serve with the chips.

Ranch Dressing

A quick and easy option for a dipping sauce is ranch dressing. This sauce is perfect if you are looking for something simple.

Tahini Sauce

Tahini sauce is another simple yet tasty option to serve with zucchini chips.

Salsa

If you are looking for something with a bit more spice, salsa is a great option. You can choose from a variety of salsas, including classic fresh tomato salsa, salsa verde, or even guacamole.

Hot Dips

Hot dips such as crab dip, spinach dip, or sausage rotel dip would also pair well with the zucchini chips.

Cold Dips

Cold dips such as pate or cold crab dip would also make a great pairing with the chips.

Garlic Aioli

For a creamy, garlicky dip to accompany the zucchini chips, a garlic aioli sauce is a great option. This sauce is made with mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and is perfect for dipping the chips.

BBQ Campfire Sauce

A unique dipping sauce option is BBQ campfire sauce, made by combining equal parts barbecue sauce and mayonnaise.

Fry Sauce

Similar to the BBQ campfire sauce, fry sauce is made by combining ketchup and mayonnaise. This sauce is perfect for dipping zucchini chips and would also be great with fried or grilled fish.

Tzatziki Sauce

Tzatziki sauce is a traditional Greek sauce made with grated cucumber, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dill, and optional preserved lemon. This sauce is a great option for dipping zucchini chips and would also be delicious with pita bread or fresh veggies.

Avocado Crema

Avocado crema is a creamy and smooth sauce made with avocados, lime juice, and salt. This sauce can be used as a dip or dressing and is a great way to add some coolness and refreshment to the zucchini chips.

Creamy Onion Dip

A simple and tasty dipping sauce option is creamy onion dip, made by combining sour cream and onion soup mix. This dip can be made directly in the sour cream container, making it a convenient option for camping or picnics.

Dill Dip

Similar to the creamy onion dip, dill dip is made with sour cream, dried dill weed, dried minced onion, parsley, and garlic powder. This dip is cool and creamy, making it a perfect pairing with the zucchini chips.

Seafood Dip

A more unique dipping sauce option is seafood dip, made with cream of mushroom soup, gelatin, water, cream cheese, crab meat, shrimp, celery, green onions, and preserved lemons. This dip is a favorite around many houses and would be a great way to add some extra flavor to the zucchini chips.

Honey Mustard Sauce

Honey mustard sauce is a simple yet tasty dipping sauce option, made by combining Dijon mustard and white vinegar. This sauce would be a great way to add some extra flavor to the zucchini chips.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Sweet and sour sauce is a classic option for a dipping sauce and would be a great choice for zucchini chips. This sauce can be purchased at most grocery stores, making it a convenient option.

Thousand Island Dressing with Bacon

Thousand island dressing with bacon is a unique and flavorful option for a dipping sauce. This dressing can be purchased at most grocery stores, making it a convenient choice.

Frequently asked questions