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Home » Air Fryer Recipes » Easy Air Fryer Zucchini: Gluten Free and Healthy

June 6, 2022 Air Fryer Recipes

Easy Air Fryer Zucchini: Gluten Free and Healthy

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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!

air fryer zucchini with a gluten free bread crumb in a pink bowl.

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

ingredients for healthy air fryer zucchini on a white backdrop with black text.
  • 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

  1. On a cutting board, slice zucchini in half, then into ¼ inch thick slices. Also, preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Serve immediately and enjoy
zucchini slices in a clear bowl with spices.
Add sliced zucchini to a large bowl and season
breaded zucchini slices in air fryer basket.
Add zucchini in a single layer to your air fryer basket
healthy zucchini cooked in the air fryer.
Cook at 380 degrees F for 8-10 minutes

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:

  • Air fryer leg quarters
  • Juicy turkey burgers
  • Boneless chicken thighs
  • Crispy air fryer shrimp

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

air fryer zucchini in a pink bowl with a gluten free bread crumb.

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
crispy zucchini cooked in the air fryer.

FAQs

How do I keep it from getting soggy?

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.

Should I line the bottom of my basket?

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.

What other ways can I make zucchini?

There's lots of other ways to make this healthy veggie! You could try making air fryer zucchini chips, french fries, or zucchini rounds.

healthy crispy zucchini cooked in the air fryer on parchment paper in a pink bowl.

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.

Print

Easy Air Fryer Zucchini

air fryer zucchini with a gluten free bread crumb in a pink bowl.
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

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.

  • Author: Nicole Radcliffe
  • 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

Scale
  • 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

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F
  2. 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)
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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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Hey, I'm Nicole! I'm here to share simple and nutritious, whole food recipes. (with a side of indulgence of course) Most recipes can easily be made gluten free or dairy free so there's something for everyone to enjoy!

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