We’re diving into the fantastic world of Air Fryer Zucchini Fries. These delicious, crispy, golden fries aren’t your typical potato sticks – they’re made from zucchini!
For those of you wanting to add a twist to your typical fries or just trying to sneak more veggies into your meals, these are the air fryer zucchini fries you’ve been waiting for!
I actually did that with my husband. I put them in his box of regular fries because I wasn’t sure if he would go for them. It was pretty obvious, though, and he found me out. Luckily, he tried them anyway and said they were great!
For my daughter Lily it was a no brainer. She loves veggies anyway, and she gobbled these zucchini fries down. Honestly, guys, so far, I’ve tried these out on friends and family, and everyone has loved them. You’re in for a treat!
What makes these Air Fryer Zucchini Fries special is their crunchy exterior, tender inside, and delightful flavor, all achieved without the heaviness of traditional deep frying.
Trust me, once you’ve tried these, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make them sooner. They’re a fantastic snack for a relaxed movie night, a tasty side dish for your dinner, or even a creative appetizer for your next get-together.
I don’t know if there is a better way to enjoy zucchini. My husband and I can’t get enough of them. So if you’re a gardener and you planted zucchini, you’re in luck! All that extra zucchini you always have at the end of the year can go into the air fryer.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are a fun and healthier alternative to traditional French fries. They are simple to make and offer a unique way to incorporate more veggies into your meals. With their crispy exterior, tender interior, and incredible flavor, they will surely be a hit with kids and adults!
Some of our other favorite veggie recipes we have on our site include: Southern Yellow Fried Squash Recipe, Marinated Cold Green Bean Salad Recipe with Tomatoes, and Onion Petals.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Healthier Option: These fries are lower in fat and calories than traditional French fries.
- Tasty: The combination of seasonings and parmesan makes for a flavorful treat.
- Fun Way to Eat Veggies: Perfect for those picky eaters in your family!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Cornstarch
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Medium zucchini
- Large eggs
- Hot sauce
- Plain panko breadcrumbs
- Grated parmesan cheese
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER ZUCCHINI FRIES:
- Add the cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a gallon-sized ziplock baggie. Close the bag and toss it around to combine.
- Add the zucchini sticks to the bag, seal, and toss so the zucchini is coated, set aside.
- In a medium-sized shallow bowl, whisk the eggs with the hot sauce, set aside.
- In a medium-sized shallow bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and parmesan until combined.
- Place a zucchini stick into the egg mixture and let any excess drip off.
- Place into the panko mixture and gently press the coating in so it sticks. Place on a plate and continue with the rest of the zucchini sticks.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes.
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and arrange the zucchini sticks into the basket in a single layer, not touching. You will need to cook in batches.
- Air fry for 8-12 minutes (no need to flip) or until your desired browning. Take them out with tongs and repeat with the remaining zucchini sticks.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
DO I HAVE TO USE PANKO?
No, you can use other types of breadcrumbs. However, panko breadcrumbs provide the best results for a crispy texture.
WHAT ARE SOME GOOD DIPPING SAUCES?
Marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or a creamy aioli all pair wonderfully with these zucchini fries!
CAN I USE ANOTHER SQUASH?
Absolutely! Feel free to try this recipe with yellow squash or even butternut squash.
DO I HAVE TO USE OLIVE OIL SPRAY?
You don’t HAVE to use it; technically, any cooking spray will work – other than the kind with flour like Baker’s Joy.
There is a consensus that olive oil spray does less damage than other sprays. When I say damage, I mean there is a residue left over in the air fryer that won’t come out with washing.
I learned this from experience; olive oil spray has never left any residue.
ANY ADDITIONS?
You betcha! Think of what might be good with regular fries. That’s a good start!
- Mix in some Italian seasoning for extra flavor.
- Try them with taco seasoning for a spicy twist.
- Add a bit of nutritional yeast for a cheesy, vegan kick.
- Dredge zucchini in almond flour for a low carb version.
- Add a little water to your egg wash for a lighter coating.
- Experiment with different dipping sauces.
- Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning after frying.
- Drizzle with a little lemon juice for a fresh, tangy taste.
- Top with extra parmesan right out of the air fryer.
- Enjoy with some melted cheese on top for a gooey delight.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
Definitely. Here are a few options if you have dietary needs.
- For a gluten-free option, replace panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour.
- To make it vegan, use a flax egg instead of a regular egg.
- Swap kosher salt for sea salt if that’s what you have on hand.
- Substitute yellow squash for zucchini.
- If you don’t have hot sauce, a small amount of chili powder can add that hint of heat.
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Store leftover zucchini fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat them in the air fryer or oven to keep them crispy.
Freezer: For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
They can last up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Cut your zucchini sticks evenly to ensure they cook at the same time.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket for the best crunch.
- Use tongs to remove the fries to prevent burning your fingers.
- Experiment with different seasonings to switch up the flavor.
- If you have a lot to make, keep the first batch warm in the oven while cooking the rest.
- For the best results, serve immediately to enjoy maximum crunch.
I’m so excited you get to make these Air Fryer Zucchini Fries! Once you’ve tried them, you’ll want to make them again and again. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and let’s get air frying!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried these AIR FRYER ZUCCHINI FRIES, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 medium zucchini cut into sticks
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Add the cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a gallon-sized ziplock baggie. Close the bag and toss it around to combine.2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Add the zucchini sticks to the bag, seal, and toss so the zucchini is coated, set aside.2 medium zucchini
- In a medium-sized shallow bowl, whisk the eggs with the hot sauce, set aside.2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- In a medium-sized shallow bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and parmesan until combined.1 cup plain panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Place a zucchini stick into the egg mixture and let any excess drip off.
- Place into the panko mixture and gently press the coating in so it sticks. Place on a plate and continue with the rest of the zucchini sticks.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes.
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and arrange the zucchini sticks into the basket in a single layer, not touching. You will need to cook in batches.
- Air fry for 8-12 minutes (no need to flip) or until your desired browning. Take them out with tongs and repeat with the remaining zucchini sticks.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Video
Notes
- Cut your zucchini sticks evenly to ensure they cook at the same time.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket for the best crunch.
- Use tongs to remove the fries to prevent burning your fingers.
- Experiment with different seasonings to switch up the flavor.
- If you have a lot to make, keep the first batch warm in the oven while cooking the rest.
- For the best results, serve immediately to enjoy maximum crunch.
Leave A Reply!