How to Make Air Fryer Zucchini Fries even Skeptics will Love

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Even skeptics can endorse these delicious super crispy, air fryer zucchini fries! If zucchini is coming out of your garden at a rapid rate and you’re wondering what to do with it beyond zucchini bread, give these crispy parmesan zucchini fries in your air fryer a try!

crispy air fryer zucchini fries on a white plate and trivet with spicy ketchup

Ingredients for Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Zucchini is one of my favorite vegetables to grow in the garden. It’s prolific, easy to grow, and very versatile. These air fryer zucchini fries are a fabulous solution to a prolific crop. This recipe makes a great side dish or appetizer to help you make the most of your summer zucchini harvest!

Recently, we’ve really become enamored with our air fryer. It’s an amazing kitchen gadget, one that might get more use than the Instant Pot even. If you haven’t jumped on the air fryer bandwagon yet, I highly recommend getting one! 

ingredients in a bowl for air fryer zucchini fries including breadcrumbs, zucchini, garlic powder, and eggs
ingredients in a bowl for air fryer zucchini fries

Here’s what you’ll need for this zucchini fries air fryer recipe:

  • Fresh zucchini: I prefer to use smaller, fresher zucchini rather than older overgrown ones. Cut the zucchini into french fry sized sticks. I leave the peel on mine.
  • Flour: I use all purpose flour but you can also use almond flour. The flour is used in the breading.
  • Eggs: Beat the eggs until well mixed. This keeps the breading on the zucchini.
  • Panko breadcrumbs: Can you taste the crunchy breading yet? Breadcrumbs will mix with the flour, parmesan and seasoning.
  • Parmesan cheese: Adds additional flavor and crispiness to zucchini fries when made in the air fryer. I use freshly grated parmesan.
  • Garlic powder: Gives a savory flavor to the zucchini.
  • Parsley: Dried parsley is optional but it adds a bit of color to your zucchini fries and adds to the flavor as well.

Recipe Tip

If you’d like to use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder, crush one clove of garlic and add it to the eggs. Another variation is to use one teaspoon of Italian Seasoning instead of the garlic powder.

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zucchini fries made in air fryer with spicy ketchup on side of plate

How to Make Zucchini Fries in Air Fryer

In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a delicious and healthy snack or side dish. Get out all your ingredients and tools first. Use a good knife to slice zucchini.

cutting zucchini into fries

1. Cut zucchini into sticks. First, cut off both ends. Then cut the zucchini into quarters. If they’re too fat, continue cutting into quarters until you get the right size.

zucchini fries on cutting board with breading bowls and eggs for dipping

2. Prepare the breading by separating ingredients into three small, shallow bowls. Put the flour in one bowl, the eggs in a second bowl. In the third bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and garlic powder. 

tongs holding breaded zucchini fry

3. Work in batches to coat the zucchini pieces with breading. First, dip the zucchini sticks in the flour, then dip them in the egg. Shake off the excess breading before dipping them in the panko mixture. Lay flat in a single layer, and repeat until each zucchini stick is coated. 

zucchini fries in air fryer baskets on counter

4. Arrange zucchini fries on the air fryer trays or in basket depending on the type of air fryer you have. Do not let them overlap, air fry for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.  If using an air fryer basket, work in batches. 

Serve hot and enjoy. Garnish with dried parsley (optional)

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How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Store any leftover zucchini fries in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Pop them back into the air fryer to reheat. They will be crispy and like fresh again!

spicy ketchup for zucchini fries

Favorite Dipping Sauces for Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Ranch Dressing is always a standby favorite dipping sauce. You know you’re a midwesterner when Ranch is your go to dip. I prefer my Ranch Dressing from scratch recipe over grocery store bottles.

Plain old ketchup is always a winner too, but what my kids really love is spicy ketchup! It’s a cinch to make and elevates regular ketchup. The kids think we’re “fancy!”

Spicy Ketchup Recipe

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce

Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. 

What to Serve with Air Fried Zucchini Sticks:

Air fried zucchini makes a great after school snack or appetizer on game day. We also love them paired with more casual meals such as Rotisserie Chicken Wraps, Freezer Friendly Oven Sandwiches, and Greek Steak Pita Sandwich.

What is an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is essentially a countertop convection oven. It simulates the frying process, but without the unhealthy oil. We love our air fryer because frozen food comes out so nice and crispy. It’s a great way to:

  • Give leftovers a new life (i.e. make sure people eat the leftovers)
  • Quick (albeit messy) way to make crispy bacon
  • Make a quick dinner
  • “Fry” veggies – like these zucchini fries –  without using oil

Is an Air Fryer Unhealthy?

The Air Fryer itself is not inherently unhealthy. You may want to seek out a BPA-free model like the Corsori Max XL, the Ninja Max XL, or the Instant Pot Vortex Plus (this is the air fryer I have). The plastic was a consideration of mine. The unhealthy-ness comes into play based on the food cooked in the air fryer. 

Obviously, using it to only cook frozen convenience food like processed chicken nuggets and french fries isn’t a good idea. Also, it’s easy to burn food to a crisp using an air fryer and charred food can be carcinogenic. Finally, it’s you do want to incorporate healthy fats like avocado and olive oil into your diet.

However, it’s definitely possible to make delicious, healthy fresh food even better by using an air fryer! I love how crisp you can get vegetables and leftovers. If it helps my kids eat it, then it’s a win for me.

More Zucchini Recipes You’ll Love

I love making a number of sweet and savory recipes with zucchini including:

Zucchini Growing Tips for a Bountiful Harvest:

zucchini fries with spicy ketchup

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

By: Michelle Marine
These crispy and delicious air fryer zucchini fries make a great appetizer or side dish and are the perfect way to use up your excess zucchini harvest!
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 28 minutes
Servings: 2 -4 servings

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Cut zucchini into spears. See cutting tips above for more details.
  • Prepare three shallow breading bowls: one bowl for flour, one for eggs, and in the third bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and garlic powder.
  • Coat the zucchini in the breading by first dipping a zucchini fry in the flour, then egg. Make sure to shake off excess. Then dip each fry in the panko mixture.  Lay flat on plate, repeat until they are all coated. 
  • Put fries in the air fryer basket being careful not to let them overlap.
  • Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. Working in batches, cook for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

If you’d like to use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder, crush one clove of garlic and add it to the eggs. Another variation is to use one teaspoon of Italian Seasoning instead of the garlic powder.
Any leftover zucchini fries can quickly be reheated in the air fryer and they will be crispy and like fresh again! 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 403kcal, Carbohydrates: 56g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 154mg, Sodium: 662mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 6g
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Michelle Marine

Michelle Marine is the author of How to Raise Chickens for Meat, a long-time green-living enthusiast, and rural Iowa mom of four. She empowers families to grow and eat seasonal, local foods; to reduce their ecological footprint; and to come together through impactful travel.

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