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Air fryer zucchini recipe

Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe (Making the perfect side dish!)

I am always on the lookout for new side dish ideas for my dinner parties. This one afternoon, I was experimenting with ways to make zucchini the hero ingredient of my side dish, which is what gave birth to the idea of Air Fryer Zucchini. 

This zucchini recipe is not only quick and easy to make but also quite nutritious, and the best part is the amazing crust that forms when the zucchini is cooked in the air fryer.

Cooking

There are ways to accomplish the same using a traditional oven too, but the results when you air fry zucchini are far superior. What’s better is that it is a low-calorie, low-carb, and keto-friendly dish, which makes it a great option for anyone on a paleo diet.

In the following sections, I will provide you with a comprehensive guide on making this delectable zucchini side dish for your meal plan. I will also cover some great tips and tricks for taking this air fryer zucchini to the next level for future healthy meals. 

So without further ado, let’s get (air) fry-in…

Air Fryer Zucchini: What’s this healthy snack all about?

Zucchini might seem like a boring vegetable at first, but this zucchini air fryer recipe will certainly change how you view this vegetable. The air fryer not only makes it crispier but also makes it significantly easier than roasting it in the oven. 

It’s the perfect method for using your leftover zucchini to make a healthy side dish! There are two reasons for this:

  • The air fryer allows you to cook in smaller portions using a single layer, so you can easily get two to four servings in one go.
  • The cooking is done much faster in the air fryer since there is little to no preheating involved.

Because of the simplicity of this complete recipe, this crispy yet tender air fryer zucchini ends up on my dinner table at least twice a month. 

Packed full of flavor, air fryer zucchini goes perfect with a salmon dish, a potato casserole, or any other dish for that matter. It is an easy and healthy accompaniment for dinner (that also pairs perfectly with marinara sauce!).

If you are looking to enjoy some summer-fresh vegetables without warming up your kitchen, zucchini in the air fryer can be a great option. 

Whether you get the zucchini from the grocery store, the farmer’s market, from your backyard, or from a friend, I hope this recipe becomes a frequent addition to your meals.

What can you expect from air fryer zucchini?

This air-fried zucchini is…

  • Crispy
  • Surprisingly delicious
  • Flavorful
  • Fresh
  • Clean
  • Vegan
  • Keto
  • Gluten-free
  • A light appetizer
  • A versatile side dish
  • A great way to enjoy veggies

Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe

Vegetarian Cuisine

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 8-20 minutes 

Ingredients that you will need for this complete recipe

The ingredient list for the air fryer zucchini is fairly short since the hero of this dish is going to be the zucchini. The rest of the handful of ingredients needed for this recipe help complement and highlight the natural flavors of this summer vegetable.

  • 6-7 cups of zucchinis (approx. 660g)
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil: Go with extra virgin olive oil, preferable as it adds a distinct flavor to the dish. However, you can also go with regular olive oil.
  • Lemon juice (juice from 2 lemon slices or 1.5 teaspoons of lemon juice)
  • Garlic powder: ½ teaspoon.
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Black pepper (to taste)
  • Sauce for dipping (suggest ranch or marinara sauce)

Which zucchinis would be best for this dish? 

For making fantastic air fryer zucchinis, you should ideally go with a dark green fresh zucchini that has smooth skin. The fresher the vegetable, the better. 

Besides this, you should look for small zucchinis as they have a better flavor profile and are more tender. Large or medium zucchini work just as well if they are fresh and tender.

Tools needed for making crunchy air fryer zucchini

You do not need a great many tools for making this dish either. All you require is –

  • Chef knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring spoons
  • Silicone spatula
  • Large mixing bowl (a medium bowl will work if scaling down)
  • Air fryer

Making the delectable air fryer zucchinis

Making the zucchini in an air fryer with no breading is fairly simple, easy, and it doesn’t take too many steps to make this perfect side dish.

Step 1. The first thing you need to do is preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees for 4-5 minutes. You can skip the preheating process if you want to make this recipe quickly, but you’ll get more consistent results with a preheated air fryer.

Step 2. Trim the ends of the zucchini. Chop into 1/4 inch thick coins or thin zucchini slices (lengthwise). If you are cutting lengthwise, make sure that it is able to fit the air fryer basket.

Step 3. Toss the zucchini with olive oil (1 tablespoon) in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle some salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Make sure the zucchinis are evenly coated with the olive oil and the rest of the ingredients (if making multiple baskets, consider using a separate bowl for step 5).

Step 4. Place the zucchinis in the air fryer tray in a single layer and set them in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 8 to 14 minutes. Make sure to toss them around after every 4 minutes so they are evenly cooked. 

You can even cook them for longer if you don’t feel they are crispy enough for you. I usually like to cook mine for 15 to 20 minutes until they form a golden-brown crust on the outside and remain tender inside. 

Step 5: After they have been cooked, squeeze some lemon juice over the crispy air-fried zucchini. You can also add some extra salt and garlic powder if needed.

Et voila! Your crispy and crunchy air fryer zucchinis are done. Serve them hot.

Air fryer tips for taking this recipe to the next level

  • I love a good dipping sauce. Don’t overthink this one. I serve my air fryer zucchini with this easy packet homemade ranch recipe. It only adds a few mixtures and I promise you it takes this fun snack to the next level!
  • How you cut the zucchini will determine its cooking time and the final texture. It is always best to cut the vegetable into evenly sliced pieces so that they can cook evenly. If you are using a small zucchini, you can cut 1/8 inch thick coins, and if it is a large zucchini, you can cut 1/8 inch thick half-coins. This will provide a great balance to the dish when it is cooked. The zucchini slices will be crispy and brown on both sides and tender inside (without being soft and mushy). If you cut them in the form of strips, they will require a longer cooking time.
  • Preheating the air fryer for 5 minutes will help you get a better crispy crust on the zucchini.
  • Before you add the vegetable to the air fryer basket, make sure that it is evenly coated with oil and other seasonings.
  • Tossing the zucchinis in the air fryer after every four minutes will make sure that they cook evenly. It will also affect the crust formation of the zucchini.
  • You can also make breaded zucchini in the air fryer with the proper breading mixture (I’d suggest using Panko bread crumbs). However, be prepared to clean up all the Panko mixture that falls in the basket!

Air Fryer Zucchini – Nutritional Information

  • Total calories: 36kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 7g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Sodium: 16mg
  • Fat: 1g
  • Saturated fat: 1g
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Vitamin C: 35.1mg
  • Vitamin A: 390IU
  • Iron: 0.7mg
  • Calcium: 31mg
  • Potassium: 512mg

Commonly asked questions about air fryer zucchini

Are there any recipe substitutions for air fryer zucchinis?

Lemons: If you don’t have lemons for the final garnish, you can use white wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar to drizzle on your air-fried zucchinis at the end. These two substitutions will add a similar degree of tartness to the dish.

Olive Oil: Instead of olive oil, you can also use refined coconut oil or avocado oil to make this dish.

How to best serve the air fryer zucchinis?

You can serve this dish as both an appetizer and a side dish. When you are serving it as an appetizer, you can pair it with the following  delicious dips (or your own favorite dipping sauces). –

  • Spinach artichoke dip
  • Chipotle or avocado ranch dressing
  • Green goddess salad dressing
  • Greek salad dressing
  • Curry hummus
  • Miso vinaigrette

If you have any extras, you can place them in an airtight container. However, you should eat them within a few days, as cooked zucchini only lasts for 3-4 days in the fridge, even if you’re using an airtight container!

As a side dish, what can air-fried zucchini can be paired with?

  • Baked or smoked salmon
  • Grilled fish
  • Grilled chicken
  • Veggie burgers
  • Sloppy Joes
  • Baked potatoes
  • Stuffed sweet potatoes
  • Steak

Which other seasonings can be added to this dish?

Besides salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, you can also add some other seasonings and spices to your zucchinis before air frying, like –

  • Italian seasoning
  • Greek seasoning
  • All-purpose spices
  • Herbs de Provence

How many servings are made with this recipe?

When you start out with six to seven cups of raw zucchini, it will cook down in the air fryer to yield around 2-3 cups of air-fried zucchinis. Thus, you can make around four 1/2 cup servings with this recipe. 

You can also double or triple the recipe to make more servings. However, it is important that each batch is cooked separately, as overcrowding the air fryer will not result in crispy zucchinis.

Is this recipe gluten-free, paleo, and keto-friendly?

This recipe is not only gluten-free, paleo and keto-friendly but also vegan and low in carbohydrates. Since it is only made from olive oil, zucchinis, a sprinkle of salt, seasonings, and lemon juice, you can certainly make this a healthy and clean addition to your diet.

Can we also bake or roast the zucchini in a traditional oven?

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can certainly bake or roast the zucchini with the same recipe using a baking sheet. The only downside will be that they will not be as crispy. 

For roasting/baking the dish, all you have to do is place them in the oven (at 425 degrees) for 18 to 22 minutes. Next, flip the zucchinis halfway through the cooking process until they are golden brown on all sides.

Conclusion

Filled with antioxidants and vitamins, zucchinis can be a great addition to your meals. With this air fryer zucchini recipe, you can enjoy this flavorful summer vegetable in a unique way. It is not only easy to make but also guilt-free. 

Try out the air fryer zucchinis yourself and let me know about your experience with one of my favorite recipes! You can also try out some other great air fryer recipes like –

  • Air fryer zucchini chips
  • Air fryer zucchini fries
  • Air fryer asparagus zucchini
  • Air fry squash
  • Air fryer baked potato
  • Air fryer cauliflower
Air fryer zucchini recipe

Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe

Avatar for Anthony RodriguezAnthony Rodriguez
If you are looking to enjoy some summer-fresh vegetables without warming up your kitchen, zucchini in the air fryer is a great option. This crispy yet tender air fryer zucchini is packed full of zest, and served with creamy buttermilk ranch dressing – perfect any day of the week and all year long.
Prep Time 3 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine air fryer
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • Air fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups zucchini or 4-6 fresh zucchini
  • 1 tbsp Oliver oil can uses coconut or extra virigin olive oil too
  • 1 Lemon squeeze at the end
  • 1 tbsp Garlic sale
  • 1 tbsp Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese sprinkle to. taste at the end

Instructions
 

  • The first thing you need to do is preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees for 4-5 minutes. However, you can skip the preheating process if you want to make this recipe quickly.
  • Trim the ends of the zucchini. Chop the zucchini into 1/4 inch thick coins or thin slices (lengthwise). If you are cutting lengthwise, make sure that it is able to fit the air fryer basket.
  • Toss the zucchinis with 1 tablespoon of olive in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle some salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Make sure the zucchinis are evenly coated with the olive oil and the rest of the ingredients.
  • Place the zucchinis in the air fryer tray and set them in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 8 to 14 minutes. Make sure to toss them around after every 4 minutes so they are evenly cooked. You can even cook them for longer if you don’t feel they are crispy enough for you. I usually like to cook mine for 15 to 20 minutes until they form a golden-brown crust on the outside and remain tender inside.
  • Place the zucchinis in the air fryer tray and set them in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 8 to 14 minutes. Make sure to toss them around after every 4 minutes so they are evenly cooked. You can even cook them for longer if you don’t feel they are crispy enough for you. I usually like to cook mine for 15 to 20 minutes until they form a golden-brown crust on the outside and remain tender inside.
  • Et voila! Your crispy and crunchy air fryer zucchinis are done. Serve them hot.
Keyword air fryer recipes, easy

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