Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Recipe
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Zucchini fries completely won me over the first time I made them in the air fryer. I wasn’t expecting much, but they came out so crispy and flavorful, I ate half the batch standing at the counter. They’re ready in under 20 minutes, made with just a few simple ingredients, and hit that perfect balance of crunchy coating and tender zucchini inside.
I first tried zucchini fries at a backyard BBQ and knew right away I had to make them myself. Now they’re a regular thing in our house, in rotation with air fryer sweet potato wedges.
I pack them in school lunches, serve them on game days, and whip up extra for movie nights with a side of blackened ranch. They work great as a side dish, party app, or easy snack. If you haven’t tried air fryer zucchini fries yet, this is your sign.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: Comes together in 20 minutes or less with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
- Make it your own: Toss in your favorite spices, herbs, or seasonings to match your mood or mealtime.
- Less mess: The air fryer keeps cleanup simple with no oil splatter or greasy pans.
- Made for little ones too: Kids love them, and it’s an easy way to add more veggies to their plates without complaints.
- A lighter take on fries: Zucchini fries give you that crispy, satisfying crunch with way less fat than traditional French fries.
- Crispy and golden
How to Make Zucchini Fries
Skip the mess of deep frying and make crispy, golden zucchini fries in the air fryer instead. Just mix a quick batter, toss them in, and they’re ready with just 10 minutes of active time.
Scroll to the bottom of the post for the printable recipe card with ingredients, measurements, and easy step-by-step directions.
Ingredients You Need
- Zucchini
- Flour
- Italian seasoning: You can use a store-bought blend or mix up your own.
- Salt and black pepper
- Eggs
- Panko bread crumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil spray
Step-By-Step Instructions
Zucchini fries turn out perfectly crisp in the air fryer, and the steps couldn’t be easier. Just follow the instructions below to make your own batch.
Step 1: Prep the zucchini
Wash and dry the zucchini, then trim off the ends. Slice each one in half lengthwise, then cut into fry-shaped sticks.
Step 2: Make the flour coating
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.
Step 3: Whisk the eggs
Crack the eggs into a medium bowl and whisk until smooth.
Step 4: Combine the breading
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.
Step 5: Coat the zucchini
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.
Quick tip: “Dredging” just means lightly coating food in flour or another dry ingredient before dipping it into a liquid, then finishing with the final coating.
Step 6: Get the air fryer ready
Lightly grease the air fryer basket to prevent sticking. Arrange the zucchini fries in a single layer with space between each one.
Step 7: Air fry until golden
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.
Substitutions
Zucchini fries come together with just a few pantry staples. If you’ve got zucchini, you’re off to a great start. Need a backup? These swaps will do the trick.
- Breadcrumb alternative: Italian-style breadcrumbs work just as well.
You can also try one of these tasty variations:
- Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Fries: Add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder to the Parmesan and breadcrumb mix. It’s a small change with big flavor.
- Air Fryer Zucchini Chips: Use the same recipe but cut the zucchini into 1/4-inch rounds instead of sticks. Same great taste, different shape.
- Tempura-Style Zucchini Fries: For something totally different, skip the breadcrumbs and dip your zucchini in a quick tempura batter. Just mix 1 cup plain flour, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1 cup soda water. Coat, air fry, and enjoy the crisp.
Expert Tips
- Keep the cuts even: Slice the zucchini into uniform sticks so everything cooks at the same speed. Uneven pieces can turn out too soft or not fully cooked.
- Pick the right zucchini: Go for small to medium ones. They’re less watery, have fewer seeds, and give you a better texture for fries.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan: Since Parmesan adds a lot of flavor, it’s worth grating it fresh. Pre-grated works, but fresh really takes it up a notch.
- Avoid soggy results: 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.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: 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.
- Serve while warm: Zucchini fries are best right out of the air fryer. If they sit too long, they lose their crispness. Serve them fresh or reheat briefly if needed.
How to Store This Recipe
Zucchini fries are best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer while they’re still hot and crispy. At my house, they usually disappear fast, but if you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I don’t recommend freezing them since zucchini holds a lot of water and tends to get soggy when thawed.
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.
What to Serve with Zucchini Fries
Air fryer zucchini fries are even better when you serve them with a dipping sauce or two. Ketchup and mayo work just fine, but I like to mix things up. Some of my favorites include marinara, French onion dip, spinach and artichoke dip, 5-minute chip dip, and homemade salsa..
You can serve them just like regular fries. They go great with burgers, chicken wings or tenders, and crispy battered fish. They’re also a solid appetizer for dinner. My family enjoys them alongside something hearty like air fryer pork chops and herb crusted chicken.
More Snack Recipes To Try
20-Minute Zucchini Fries Recipe
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.
- 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.
