Easy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are crispy on the outside and deliciously soft and tender on the inside with a hint of parmesan cheese and garlic. These zucchini fries take less than 20 minutes and make a fantastic side dish with all the taste and fewer calories than the classic french fries. Gluten-free and keto options are given.
I love fresh zucchini and this time of year there seems to be an abundance coming out of everyone's gardens. Plus, there are so many ways you can fix it.
You can make it into a casserole like this Cheesy Zucchini Tomato Casserole, use it for an appetizer like these easy Zucchini Boats or add it to baked goods like this decadent Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread. But when it comes time for a side that tastes like fries but gives you all your veggies, you can't beat these zucchini fries in the air fryer.
Table of contents
This air-fried zucchini is lighter than the traditional french fries and there is no vat of hot oil in sight! Yep, we're "frying them" with just a light dusting of nonstick spray. It's a great way to get your pile of fries with no guilt!
Perfect to serve with burgers, grilled fish, or chicken or all by themselves with a bowl of your favorite dip. Oh, and they make a fantastic appetizer too.
Dips for Air Fried Zucchini
Serve with or without a dip, it's all good! But if you want to indulge try one of these.
- Marinara - my favorite and goes especially well with the parmesan or Italian herb panko coating
- Ranch Dressing - is a classic with its mayonnaise and sour cream base and plenty of spices
- Garlic Aioli - adds more garlic to a mix of olive oil and mayonnaise and no one can have too much garlic, right? Check out this homemade aioli recipe from House of Nash Eats.
- Ketchup - a standard for any fry, potato or squash!
Recipe Variations
- Keto Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - replace panko with ground pork rinds and eliminate flour
- Low Carb Zucchini Fries - coat with spices and parmesan cheese only
- Gluten-free Zucchini Fries in the air fryer - use gluten-free panko crumbs and a gluten-free 1:1 flour.
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with no breading - eliminate flour step, dip fries in whisked eggs then combine parmesan cheese with salt, pepper and garlic powder (no panko needed) and coat, patting into place. Air fry as directed.
- Not into zucchini, try air fryer yellow squash fries or just about any summer squash. Or go wild and fry up a combination of both.
How to Cut Zucchini Fries
Zucchini fries can be cut in a variety of ways. I cut mine into spears, slightly larger than a normal fry because I like to have the outer skin on each one of my fries.
Other options include cutting them into thin zucchini sticks or even strips which take slightly less cooking time. And don't forget about those little round zucchini chips that taste like potato chips. I have a recipe for baking them but I find they also come out delicious in the air fryer.
How to Make Zucchini Fries in Air Fryer
- Gather the simple ingredients needed to make this air fryer zucchini recipe. You'll need 2 medium or 1 large zucchini, panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, flour, eggs, milk and seasonings.
- In a small bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Water can also be sued to help keep this dairy-free.
- In a third bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with parmesan cheese. Use Parmigiano Reggiano cheese in place of Parmesan as it is lactose-free.
- To prepare zucchini, wash outside and dry. DO NOT PEEL! Cut into thirds then slice each of the thirds in half lengthwise. Place the cut side down on the cutting board and cut into 4-5 pieces. Repeat with remaining zucchini.
Pro Tip: Pat dry the zucchini fries with paper towels so that the coatings will adhere better.
- Set the three bowls up in an assembly line. Tip: Use one hand for the dry ingredients (flour and panko) and one hand for the egg wash.
- Dredge each zucchini fry into flour mixture.
- Next dip the fry into the egg wash. You can also just use egg whites and water in place of the whole eggs and milk.
- Finally dip the fry into the panko-cheese mixture and pat the mixture to help it stick.
- Preheat the air fryer. Once heated, spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray and place the coated fries into the basket. Make sure not to crowd them! Spray the tops with nonstick spray again. Air fry for 4 minutes, turn, and air fry 4 additional minutes.
- When done, serve immedialtey as they will be at their crispy best!
Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
- Use smaller zucchini which are less moist than larger ones and will result in crisper fries.
- For a crunchy outside, use panko breadcrumbs and make sure to cover the entire fry.
- Get zucchini as dry as possible. To ensure the coating sticks to the fry be sure to pat the zucchini dry with paper towels.
- Dip in whisked eggs to help the panko and flour stick to the zucchini which also helps the crispiness.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer! Leave space in between the fries so they fry instead of steam. This may involve doing these homemade zucchini fries in several batches.
Wait until you taste these crispy, hard to believe they're vegetables, homemade zucchini fries. They'll satisfy that fry craving and leave you wishing you'd made more!
Have some left over? No problem! Either store in the refrigerator for up to two days or freeze them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and, once frozen, store in a large ziplock bag. To reheat, simply air fry them from frozen for about 4-5 minutes. Enjoy!
More Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Hot Dogs come out sizzling hot in just 7 minutes complete with a crispy roll.
Easy Air Fryer Pork Chops need just a little seasoning and 10 minutes cook time for an incredible dinner that is both healthy and delicious.
Air Fryer Garlic Bread the quick & easy way. Just 8 minutes in the air fryer and you've got an incredible side that goes with any meal.
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Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini
- ½ cup flour
- 1 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tablespoon milk
- 1 ½ cups panko crumbs I like to use either the Italian or Parmesan Herb blend
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Wash zucchini but do not peel. Cut zucchini in thirds (horizontal) then slice each of the thirds in half lengthwise. Place the cut side down on the cutting board and cut into 4-5 pieces. Repeat with remaining zucchini.
- Dry zucchini off by patting with paper towels. This will help the crumb mixture adhere better.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- In another medium bowl, whisk together eggs and milk.
- In a third bowl, combine panko crumbs and grated cheese.
- Set it up like an assembly line.
- Dip each fry into flour mixture, then coat with egg mixture and finally coat with panko. Set on plate.
- Hint: It’s easier if you keep one hand for the egg mixture and use the other for the dry ingredients.
- Once all fries are coated, preheat air fryer to 350 degrees for 4 minutes.
- Place fries into air fryer basket, leaving room around them so they crisp up. Spray the tops with cooking spray. This makes quite a few fries so you probably will need to do several batches.
- Cook for 4 minutes then turn over, spray again with cooking spray, and "fry" for an additional 4 minutes.
- Serve warm with a side of marinara, ranch or garlic aioli.
Notes
- Use smaller zucchini which are less moist than larger ones and will result in crisper fries.
- For a crunchy outside, use panko breadcrumbs and make sure to cover the entire fry.
- Get zucchini as dry as possible. To ensure the coating sticks to the fry be sure to pat the zucchini dry with paper towels.
- Dip in whisked eggs to help the panko and flour stick to the zucchini which also helps the crispiness.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer! Leave space in between the fries so they fry instead of steam. This may involve doing these homemade zucchini fries in several batches.
Nutrition
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