This air fryer zucchini recipe is such a great way to eat your veggies. It's lightly breaded, full of flavor, and the zucchini cooks in under 10 minutes. This healthy side dish is gluten free and can easily be made vegan so just about everyone can enjoy it!
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If you're anything like me, soggy zucchini is a no go. I don't like how it just get's limp and watery, and just no, not for me. However, zucchini is packed with so many nutrients that I decided there's got to be a healthy way I would want to eat it instead of in zucchini bread.
Enter in this crispy, delicious air fryer zucchini; I could easily eat the whole bowl of this crunchy, gluten free goodness. Each piece is lightly breaded in a parmesan, panko mixture that is packed with delicious flavor and then air fried to golden brown perfection in less than 10 minutes. It's a quick, healthy, easy side dish or savory snack that the whole family is sure to enjoy. Pair with some juicy turkey burgers and caprese salad for a delicious, balanced meal.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Quick and easy
- Healthy, delicious snack or side dish
- Lightly breaded and cooked to crispy perfection
- Super flavorful
- Easy way to get the whole family to eat their veggies
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- Zucchini: I used medium zucchini, but you could also use a larger one as long as they're not too thick around
- Panko breadcrumbs: I like Ian's Gluten Free Panko, but if you don't need them to be gluten free you can use regular
- Parmesan cheese: Only grated parmesan will work
- Olive oil: You only need a little to make it crispy, too much and the zucchini will soak it up like a sponge
- Spices: I used salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cumin
HOW TO MAKE ZUCCHINI IN THE AIR FRYER
- On a cutting board, slice zucchini in half, then into ¼ inch thick slices. Also, preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F
- To a large bowl add your zucchini slices with the gluten free panko, parmesan cheese, spices, and olive oil. Use a rubber spatula to mix everything around and get all the slices coated in the panko mixture
- Working in two batches, add half the veggies in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook in preheated air fryer for 8-10 minutes, shaking halfway through
- Use a flat rubber spatula to remove the first batch and place them on a baking sheet while you cook the other half of the veggies
- Serve immediately and enjoy
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS YUMMY AIR FRYER VEGGIE
If you're enjoying this as a healthy snack, I recommend serving it with your favorite dipping sauces! Here's a few suggestions
- Ranch dressing
- Avocado ranch
- Marinara sauce
- Buffalo sauce
If you're making this to enjoy as a side dish, it pairs great with any of these recipes:
SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS
Panko: If you're not gluten free, you can use regular panko or plain bread crumbs
Parmesan cheese: Substitute it with vegan parmesan
Olive oil: Avocado oil will also work
Spices: Eliminate all the spices except salt and use Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, or Cajun seasoning instead
STORING AND REHEATING
You can keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
To reheat, place the leftovers in a single layer in the air fryer and spray lightly with cooking spray and air fry at 360 F for 3-4 minutes until hot. (The bread crumbs will not be as crispy as when they were first made, but it still tastes delish)
EXPERT TIPS FOR THE BEST ZUCCHINI
- Fresh zucchini is in season from June to August, and is ripe when firm
- Cut them into equal thicknesses
- Serve with a dip to kids as a healthy after school snack
- Don't overcook, or they will start to get soggy
- Cook times vary based on your air fryer and desired crispiness
- If the first batch gets cold, pop it into the air fryer the last 2 minutes of the second batch
- Make sure you preheat the air fryer
- Any of the bread crumb mixture that falls off into the bottom of the basket can be sprinkled over the final product
FAQs
Don't overuse the oil because squashes tend to soak it up like a sponge. Also, do not overcook it, you want the slices to just be golden brown.
I didn't see any need to, nothing stuck and it also let the hot air circulate well. If you'd rather line it though, just use a piece of parchment paper or a basket liner.
There's lots of other ways to make this healthy veggie! You could try making air fryer zucchini chips, french fries, or zucchini rounds.
Did you make this easy air fryer zucchini? If you did, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Additionally, you can follow me on Instagram and tag me if you make this or any other of my easy air fryer recipes.
PrintEasy Air Fryer Zucchini
This easy air fryer zucchini is so, so delicious. It's lightly breaded, full of flavor, and completely gluten free. It's easy, healthy, and makes the most delicious savory snack or crispy side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 8 Minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: vegetable
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini (about 4 cups when sliced)
- 3 tablespoons gluten free panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F
- On a cutting board, cut your zucchini in half lengthwise and cut the halves into about ¼ inch thick slices (you want a half moon shape)
- To a large bowl add your zucchini slices with the gluten free panko, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and olive oil. Use a rubber spatula to mix everything around and get all the slices coated in the panko mixture
- Working in two batches, add half of the zucchini in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook in preheated air fryer for 8-10 minutes, shaking halfway through, until it's golden brown and crispy
- Use a flat rubber spatula to remove the first batch and place them on a baking sheet while you cook the other half of the veggies
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Fresh zucchini is in season from June to August, and is ripe when firm
- Cut them into equal thicknesses
- Serve with a dip to kids as a healthy after school snack
- Don't overcook, or they will start to get soggy
- Cook times vary based on your air fryer and desired crispiness
- If the first batch gets cold, pop it into the air fryer the last 2 minutes of the second batch
- Make sure you preheat the air fryer
- Any of the bread crumb mixture that falls off into the bottom of the basket can be sprinkled over the final product
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days
Keywords: zucchini in the air fryer, crispy zucchini, how to cook zucchini in the air fryer
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