How to Make Crispy Fried Zucchini in the Air Fryer

air fried zucchini with dairy free ranch dressing on a white plate

How to Make Crispy Fried Zucchini in the Air Fryer

Discover how to make fried zucchini in air fryer! Enjoy crispy, golden, amazing zucchini fries with less oil and all the flavor. Skip the deep frying and enjoy this quick, easy, and healthy air fryer zucchini recipe today!

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Keyword how to make fried zucchini in air fryer

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings servings

Calories 135kcal

Author Cindy Newland with Intentionally Eat

Equipment

1 air fryer

Ingredients

1 medium zucchini
1/2 cup aquafaba the liquid from canned or cooked chickpeas
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 Tbsp vegan parmesan Optional
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
olive oil spray

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Instructions

Preheat the Air fryer: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
Prepare the Zucchini: Wash the zucchini and cut off the ends. Slice it into long sticks that resemble fries, no more than 1/2" thick slices. Then dry the zucchini slices with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
Prepare Dredging Stations: Add aquafaba in a small bowl. In another small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, vegan parmesan, and spices.
Spray: Using olive oil spray or avocado oil, lightly spray the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
Dip & Coat: Dip zucchini sticks in aquafaba, then in breadcrumb mixture. Repeat with the rest of the zucchini until all fries are coated.
Air fry: Arrange zucchini in a single layer. Cook for 10-12 minutes at 350°F, shaking halfway through.
Serve: Serve immediately with a dipping sauce like this homemade ranch dressing, or this marinara, or enjoy them plain.

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Notes

Nutritional Information is only an estimate. The accuracy of this recipe may differ depending on the ingredients you use.

Tips:

Make sure your zucchini slices are uniform. This ensures even cooking; varied sizes may lead to some fries being overcooked and crispy while others are undercooked or too soft.

If the size of your air fryer can't accommodate all the zucchini in a single layer, do not overcrowd. Cook in batches to ensure each piece has space to cook evenly and become crispy.
I suggest lightly coating the zucchini fries to create a nice, crispy coating. Also, add a dash of red pepper flakes for a little heat.

Serve immediately for the best crispiness. They won't be as crunchy if you leave them out or reheat them, so enjoy them fresh!

Nutrition