Air-Fryer Zucchini: Healthy, Quick, And Easy Recipes

Air fryers are a fun and easy way to cook delicious dishes. One popular vegetable to cook in an air fryer is zucchini. It's healthy, inexpensive, and pairs well with many main dishes. There are several ways to cook zucchini in an air fryer, including zucchini chips, zucchini fries, and roasted zucchini. The cooking time is usually under 20 minutes, and the zucchini is done when it's golden brown and can be easily pierced with a fork.

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

Ingredients:

• 2-3 medium-sized zucchini
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese (optional)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method:

• Cut the ends off the zucchini and cut it in half crosswise, creating two shorter cylinders.
• Take one of the cylinders and slice it lengthwise down the middle, then cut each of those halves in half again lengthwise, resulting in eight long spears. Repeat with the second cylinder.
• Pat the spears dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• Place the zucchini spears in a large zip-top bag or a bowl and toss with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Place the seasoned zucchini spears skin side down in a single layer on the air fryer tray or basket, depending on your model.
• Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and easily pierced with a fork.
• Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese or squeeze some lemon wedges over the zucchini for additional flavor, if desired.

Storage and Reheating:

• Air fryer zucchini is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To reheat, place in a preheated air fryer at 350°F for up to 5 minutes or until heated through.
• Alternatively, reheat in the microwave in 1-minute intervals until heated through.

Tips:

• Ensure the zucchini spears are dried thoroughly with a paper towel before cooking to promote even roasting and browning.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or tray. Cook in batches if needed to ensure a single layer of zucchini, allowing for even cooking and browning.
• No need to flip or toss the zucchini while cooking.

Variations:

• For a vegan option, replace the parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
• Try different seasonings like onion powder, cayenne pepper, or ranch seasoning.
• For extra crunch, coat the zucchini in a light batter of egg and panko breadcrumbs before air frying.

Enjoy your crispy, healthy, and delicious air fryer zucchini chips!

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Ingredients:

• 2-3 medium-sized zucchini
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp grated parmesan cheese (optional)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Dipping Sauces:

• Ranch dressing
• Marinara sauce
• Whipped feta
• Sriracha mayo
• Chipotle sauce
• Tzatziki sauce
• Creamy honey mustard

Method:

• Cut the ends off the zucchini and slice in half crosswise, creating two shorter cylinders. Cut each cylinder lengthwise down the middle, then cut each half in half again lengthwise, so that you have eight spears per zucchini.
• Pat the zucchini spears dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• In a large bowl or zip-top bag, toss the zucchini spears with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Place the seasoned zucchini spears skin side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the tray, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Air fry for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and easily pierced with a fork.
• Serve immediately with grated parmesan cheese or a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.

Tips:

• To store, place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To reheat, use the air fryer or oven at 350°F for 5 minutes or until heated through.
• For crispy zucchini fries, ensure the zucchini is cut into equal-sized pieces and pat dry before cooking to remove excess moisture.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket and cook in batches if necessary.
• For extra flavour, try adding a squeeze of lemon juice or Italian seasoning to the breadcrumb mixture.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs, or omit the breadcrumbs altogether.

Enjoy!

Air Fryer Zucchini with Parmesan

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchini
• Olive oil cooking spray
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/6 - 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper

Method:

First, wash and dry the zucchini. Then, slice the zucchini into thin fries by cutting it in half lengthwise, then cutting each half into quarters. Cut the squash down the center so you have a long french fry shape.

Next, preheat your Air Fryer to 400 degrees F. Place the zucchini fries into a bowl, then coat with olive oil cooking spray. Add a dash of black pepper, and shake on some garlic powder and salt. Mix them up to make sure they are evenly seasoned.

Using small tongs or a fork, place the zucchini fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Then, if using cheese, sprinkle it directly onto the fries. Air Fry for 8-10 minutes or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is crispy.

Tips:

• For best results, preheat your Air Fryer for a couple of minutes before adding the zucchini.
• Always check your fries when they’re getting closer to the end of the cook time. You want to make sure you end up with zucchini that’s golden brown and each bite is crispy, cheesy perfection!
• Depending on the size of your Air Fryer basket, you may need to work in batches.
• Be sure to place the zucchini sticks close together and place the cheese directly on top so you don’t lose the cheese during the cooking process.

Serving Suggestions:

This Air Fryer Zucchini with Parmesan recipe is the perfect side dish or snack. It is also a great way to get your veggies in when you have an abundance of summer zucchini. Enjoy!

Air Fryer Roasted Zucchini

A simple, tasty, and healthy side dish, Air Fryer Roasted Zucchini is a great way to use up any extra zucchini you have lying around. It's also a perfect option if you're looking for something quick and easy to make without having to turn on the oven.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 medium-sized zucchini
• Olive oil
• Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Lemon wedges (optional)

Method:

• Cut the ends off the zucchini and slice them in half crosswise, creating two shorter cylinders. Then, cut each cylinder in half lengthwise, and cut those halves in half again lengthwise, so that you have eight even zucchini spears from each zucchini.
• Pat the zucchini spears dry with a paper towel. This step is important to eliminate excess moisture, which will help the zucchini roast evenly and prevent it from steaming.
• In a large bowl or zip-top bag, toss the zucchini spears with olive oil and seasonings until they are evenly coated.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Place the seasoned zucchini spears skin side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray.
• Air fry for 10-12 minutes, or until the zucchini is golden brown and can be easily pierced with a fork. There is no need to turn or flip them while cooking.
• Serve with grated Parmesan cheese or a squeeze of lemon juice for additional flavour.

Tips:

• You can also cut the zucchini into fries or chips if you prefer.
• If you want to add some crunch, you can include panko breadcrumbs in the mixture.
• To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• To reheat, use a preheated air fryer or oven at 350°F for up to 5 minutes, or a microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Air Fryer Baked Zucchini

Ingredients

• 2-3 medium-sized zucchini
• Olive oil
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Cut the ends off the zucchini and cut it in half crosswise, creating two shorter cylinders.
• Cut each cylinder lengthwise down the middle, and then cut each half in half again lengthwise, so that you end up with eight long spears from each zucchini.
• Pat the zucchini spears dry with a paper towel. This is an important step as zucchini contains a lot of water, and if not dried properly, it will steam rather than roast when cooked.
• Place the zucchini spears in a large zip-top bag or a bowl and toss with olive oil and the seasonings until evenly coated.
• Place the seasoned zucchini spears skin side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the tray, depending on your air fryer model.
• Air fry for 10-12 minutes, or until the zucchini is golden brown and can be easily pierced with a fork.
• Serve with grated parmesan cheese or a squeeze of lemon for extra flavour.

Tips

• You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To reheat, place in a preheated air fryer at 350°F for up to 5 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Frequently asked questions