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A hand dips a breaded zucchini fry into a bowl of creamy dipping sauce, with more zucchini fries on a plate in the background.

20-Minute Zucchini Fries Recipe

Author: Jessica Haggard
Zucchini fries made in the air fryer are crisp, cheesy, and ready in under 20 minutes. With just a few simple ingredients, they’re a lighter way to satisfy that fry craving. Serve them as a snack, pack them in lunchboxes, or add them to any meal as a fun, veggie-filled side.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 288 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Shallow dish
  • 3 Medium shallow bowls
  • 1 Air fryer

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3 medium zucchini
  • ½ cup flour
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons oil spray

Instructions
 

  • Wash and dry the zucchini, then trim off the ends. Slice each one in half lengthwise, then cut into fry-shaped sticks.
  • In a shallow dish, stir together the flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Use a dish wide enough to coat the zucchini easily, like a plate or baking dish.
  • Crack the eggs into a medium bowl and whisk until smooth.
  • In a second bowl, mix the Panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Now you should have your coating station ready: flour mixture, whisked eggs, and breadcrumb mixture.
  • Dip each zucchini stick in the flour mixture first, then into the egg, and finally into the Parmesan breadcrumb mix. Press gently to help the coating stick.
  • Lightly grease the air fryer basket to prevent sticking. Arrange the zucchini fries in a single layer with space between each one.
  • Spray the coated zucchini fries with a little oil and cook at 400 F for 8 to 10 minutes. Serve warm while they’re crispy and fresh.

Notes

  • Slice the zucchini into uniform sticks so everything cooks at the same speed. Uneven pieces can turn out too soft or not fully cooked.
  • Go for small to medium ones. They’re less watery, have fewer seeds, and give you better texture for fries.
  • Since Parmesan adds a lot of flavor, it’s worth grating it fresh. Pre-grated works, but fresh really takes it up a notch.
  • Zucchini holds a lot of moisture. Pat the sticks dry with a paper towel before breading to help them crisp up better in the air fryer.
  • Air fry in a single layer with space between each piece. If needed, cook in batches so the fries turn out crispy instead of steamed.
  • Zucchini fries are best right out of the air fryer. If they sit too long, they lose their crisp. Serve them fresh or reheat briefly if needed.
Serve: Zucchini fries pair well with sauces like ketchup, mayo, marinara, French onion dip, spinach and artichoke dip, 5-minute chip dip, and homemade salsa.. Serve them with burgers, wings, tenders, or battered fish, or enjoy them as an appetizer with pork chops or herb crusted chicken.
Store: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Freezing isn’t ideal since the texture turns soggy after thawing. To reheat, place the fries in a single layer in the air fryer and cook at 350 F for 5 to 8 minutes until they crisp back up.

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 13gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 653mgPotassium: 493mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 549IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 236mgIron: 3mg
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