Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

Home » Air Fryer » Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Jump to RecipePrint Recipe

See my guide on how to use an Air Fryer.

These Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are crispy, perfectly seasoned, and so easy to make. The air fryer is the best way to make zucchini fries!

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (1)

I love using my air fryer because it makes food deliciously crispy with very little oil. Our favorite air fryer recipes include Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, Air Fryer Cauliflower, and these Air Fryer Zucchini Fries.

When you have an abundance of fresh zucchini and you’ve had your fill of Roasted Zucchini and Zucchini Bread, these zucchini fries are the perfect zucchini recipe to satisfy your cravings!

The air fryer makes the best zucchini fries. Since air circulates around the fries as they cook, they turn out so crispy! In this recipe I’ve combined a few simple seasonings and Parmesan cheese with a crispy breadcrumb coating to give these zucchini fries the best texture and flavor. You are going to love them!

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (2)

Enjoy this air fryer zucchini as an appetizer, side dish or snack. Zucchini fries are delicious on their own, or serve them with a dipping sauce. Try them with marinara sauce, ranch dressing or aioli.

Ingredients

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (3)

  • Zucchini: Choose fresh zucchini that are deep green in color with skin that is free of blemishes.
  • All-Purpose Flour: The flour helps the egg to stick to the zucchini.
  • Eggs: The eggs are the “glue” that helps the seasoned breadcrumb coating to stick to the zucchini.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko makes the crispiest coating!
  • Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds delicious flavor to this air fryer zucchini recipe.
  • Seasonings: A combination of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper adds lots of flavor.
  • Olive Oil Spray: Lightly spraying the zucchini fries before cooking helps to make them extra crispy. I prefer olive oil spray, but you can another oil spray such as canola oil or coconut oil.

How to Make Zucchini Fries in an Air Fryer

Here is an overview of how to make air fryer zucchini fries, with some tips for success. Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.

If you know how to make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders or Baked Chicken Tenders, the steps for breading zucchini fries are very similar.

  1. Trim the ends off of the zucchini. Cut each zucchini crosswise into two pieces. Then cut into 1/2-inch sticks. I’ve found that it’s best to not pat the zucchini dry. A little moisture will help the flour to stick.
  2. Working with a few zucchini fries at a time, first coat the zucchini in flour. Gently tap off any excess flour. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (4)
  3. Dip in the beaten eggs, making sure to fully coat all sides of the zucchini with the egg. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (5)
  4. Coat the fries in the breadcrumb, Parmesan and seasoning mixture. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (6)
  5. Place the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Leave a little space between each zucchini piece so that the air can circulate around as they cook. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (7)
  6. Spray the tops of the fries with oil spray.
  7. Air fry for 10-12 minutes until the outsides are browned and crispy and the fries are tender when pierced with a fork.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (8)

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Recipe Tips:

  • Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the zucchini fries in a single layer with a little space between them. This allows the air to circulate around them, crisping the edges. You will probably need to cook the fries in batches.
  • You do not need to flip the fries. Both sides will crisp without flipping and the less you handle the zucchini fries, the less likely you’ll lose some of the crispy coating.
  • To make this recipe dairy-free, omit the Parmesan cheese.
  • Different air fryer models may cook differently, so adjust the cook time as needed.

Can I use regular breadcrumbs?

I have tested this recipe with both Panko breadcrumbs and regular breadcrumbs. You can use regular breadcrumbs, but the fries won’t be quite as crispy as they are with Panko. The larger pieces of Panko breadcrumbs make for a crispier breading. Either way, the fries are delicious!

Can I bake these in the oven?

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the zucchini fries in the oven. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place the breaded zucchini fries on the parchment-lined baking sheet and spray lightly with oil spray.
  3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping once halfway through the cook time, until fries are browned and tender when pierced with a fork.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (9)

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (10)

4.60 from 10 ratings

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Servings: 4 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 11 minutes mins

Total Time: 26 minutes mins

These Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are crispy, perfectly seasoned, and easy to make. Enjoy them as an appetizer, snack or side dish. Serve these healthy fries with marinara sauce, ranch dressing or aioli for dipping.

Print Recipe Leave a Review Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 medium zucchini
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs*
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • olive oil spray, or other oil spray such as canola or coconut oil

Instructions

  • Trim off the ends of the zucchini. Cut each zucchini in half crosswise. Then slice zucchini into ½-inch thick fries. (You do not need to peel the zucchini.)

  • To prepare the zucchini fries you will need 3 wide, shallow bowls, dishes or pie plates. In one dish, place the flour. In the second dish, lightly beat the eggs. In the third dish, stir together the Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

  • Working with a few zucchini fries at a time, coat each one first in the flour, and gently tap off any excess flour. Then coat in the egg, making sure to fully coat all sides. Finally, coat each piece with the breadcrumb mixture.

  • Arrange fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space in between each fry for the air to circulate. (Cook in batches as needed.) Spray the tops of the fries with oil spray.

  • Air fry at 400° F for 10-12 minutes, until the outsides are browned and crispy and the insides are tender when pierced with a fork. You do not need to flip the fries. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Regular breadcrumbs may also be used, but the zucchini fries will be slightly less crispy.

Calories: 227kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 93mg, Sodium: 632mg, Potassium: 383mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 445IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 218mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: American

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!

Air Fryer Side Dishes Snacks

posted by Kristine Rosenblatt on Jun 28, 2021

12 comments Leave a comment »

You May Also Like...

Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Bacon
35 Best Air Fryer Recipes

Save time. Eat well.

Subscribe and receive FREE family meal plans, right to your inbox, plus exclusive subscriber-only content!

« Previous Post Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

Next Post » Lemonade Recipe

Leave a Reply

12 comments on “Air Fryer Zucchini Fries”

  1. Cin Reply

    A little time consuming since I doubled the recipe, but worth it. I used 4 zucchini and my 3 boys and I each had a zucchini a piece! These fries were so healthy instead of French fries and a perfect compliment with cheeseburgers 🍔. Crunchy on the outside, so tender on the inside and very tasty! Served them with salsa. Yum!

  2. DLM Reply

    I’ve made this recipe three or four times only with different variations of the way I cut the zucchini. Used the same recipe though and love it.

  3. Kelly Reply

    These are a bit of work but are totally worth it! My family and I loved them. They are so crispy and tasty. The only thing I did differently was to salt the zucchini and let it sit to get some of the water out. That way it doesn’t get soggy. Definitely a keeper!

  4. Lucy Reply

    Oh my this is SO good!

  5. Sue Reply

    DELICIOUS!!

  6. Lois Reply

    Very good I prepped them ahead of time excellent

  7. Pamela Reply

    I made these and my family raved about them. This will be my new zucchini recipe. It is a little time consuming so I switched the flor and the breadcrumbs to gallon baggies for a faster result

  8. Evan smith Reply

    At 400 degrees for 10 minutes it burns the fries. And not doing it in oil and using flour results in raw flour being on the fries. There is little to no flavor in the actual breading.

    • Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (14)

      Kristine Rosenblatt Reply

      Hi Evan,
      I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy this recipe, especially since many others have make it and loved it. Different air fryers can cook differently, so you may need to adjust the cooking time for your model. The flour shouldn’t be raw anymore after cooking in the air fryer.

  9. KT Reply

    These zucchini fries were fantastic!! I followed the recipe as written and the final product was delicious! Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside! This is a definite keeper of a recipe!!!!

    Thanks for sharing a GREAT air fryer recipe, Kristine!!

  10. KT Reply

    These fries are perfection!! Just made a half batch and ate every single one of the fries by myself lol!

    Could these fries be prepped through the breading step and then frozen to be air fried at a later time??? I would love to have a stash of these fries in my freezer ready to air fry whenever the craving hits me!!

    • Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (15)

      Kristine Rosenblatt Reply

      I’m so glad you enjoyed them! I have not tried freezing them before cooking. If you decide to try it, let me know how it works.

Leave a comment »

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep zucchini from getting soggy when frying? ›

Yes, you should always salt your zucchini before frying — especially if you're aiming to achieve a crispy texture. Salting your zucchini helps remove the excess moisture stuck in the zucchini that would otherwise make frying a challenge.

How do you use an air fryer for beginners step by step? ›

How to use your air fryer, step by step
  1. Preheat the air fryer. ...
  2. Coat the cooking basket or use parchment paper. ...
  3. Place the food in the cooking basket. ...
  4. Check the food periodically. ...
  5. Remove the food from the air fryer. ...
  6. Allow the air fryer to cool down.
May 31, 2023

How to sauté zucchini without making it soggy? ›

Give the zucchini slices a light pan fry, stopping as soon as the outsides begin to turn golden. You'll be left with a nice, lightly crisp exterior, without the interior becoming soggy. Be patient as you sauté.

Why is my fried zucchini bitter? ›

What causes this bitterness? All cucurbits produce chemicals called cucurbitacins, which cause the vegetables to taste bitter and served as a defense against plant-eating wildlife. Cucurbitacin also contributes to the musky scent of cantaloupe.

Are zucchini fries better than french fries? ›

Plus, they're delicious, easy to make and a much healthier alternative to those greasy french fries. One thing I love about this recipe is that the zucchini spears are baked not fried. Not only does that keep your kitchen cleaner, it also keeps those extra calories away.

Can you eat zucchini raw? ›

Zucchini, also known as courgette, is a type of summer squash with many culinary uses. While it's commonly served cooked, many people enjoy eating zucchini raw too, as it works great in salads, with dips, as a wrap, or even spiralized to make low-carb noodles.

Why didn t my fries get crispy in air fryer? ›

Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket.

Don't fill your basket all the way full. You'll end up with soggy fries. I try to keep it at about ½ full for best results, but you can go up to ¾ full as long as you shake the basket during the cooking time.

Why are my vegetables not crispy from the air fryer? ›

Don't overcrowd your insert, or else the air fried veggies will turn out mushy. Go light on the oil. Too much, and the vegetables will become oversaturated and not crisp up.

Why are my air fryer fries not crispy enough? ›

If your fries are not crispy, air fry them a little longer. Once all batches are finished, toss them all back into the air fryer (no need to place in a single layer this time) for 1 to 2 minutes to warm and re-crisp any that got cold from the first few batches.

Why are people getting rid of air fryers? ›

Air fryers, once hailed as a kitchen revolution, are now being sidelined by some users. But why are people getting rid of air fryers? This concise exploration uncovers the primary concerns: they're bulky, they have limited cooking uses, and they often don't deliver on the promise of crispy, tasty food.

What cannot be cooked in an air fryer? ›

7 Foods You Should Never Cook In Your Air Fryer
  1. Wet Batters. Those beer-battered onion rings, fries, fish cutlets, plus tempura veggies and more are not well suited for a crisp in the air fryer. ...
  2. Cheesy Items. ...
  3. Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  4. Baked Goods. ...
  5. Greens. ...
  6. Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  7. Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

What happens if you don't use oil in an air fryer? ›

The air fryer uses a little oil to cook food. This is because the hot air circulates around the food and cooks it evenly. The food does not need to be submerged in oil, as is the case with traditional deep-frying. This makes air frying a healthier alternative to traditional frying.

How do you keep fried vegetables crispy? ›

Just place them on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet.

In much the same way, putting fried food on a cooling rack means the excess oil will drip off, but there's enough air circulating underneath the food that the bottoms don't get soggy.

How do you keep zucchini from getting slimy? ›

Avoid storing zucchini in plastic, which can trap moisture and make the skin slimy. Either leave zucchini loose or place it in a paper bag.

Why did my zucchini turn to mush? ›

On the other hand, they may simply be waterlogging if your garden is poorly drained. Another possibility is squash bugs have damaged them and rot has set in as a result. In the meantime, keep removing the infected fruit as soon as you see signs of the problem.

Why is my zucchini turning to mush? ›

Blossom End Rot

It's occurs due to the plants inability to get calcium. This can be caused by a few things: Watering inconsistency (the most likely cause especially if you've had a lot of rain) Soil PH is either too high or too low (do a PH test to check)

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edwin Metz

Last Updated:

Views: 6431

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edwin Metz

Birthday: 1997-04-16

Address: 51593 Leanne Light, Kuphalmouth, DE 50012-5183

Phone: +639107620957

Job: Corporate Banking Technician

Hobby: Reading, scrapbook, role-playing games, Fishing, Fishing, Scuba diving, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.