Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

These air fryer zucchini fries are so deliciously crispy. Perfect for dipping, or serving as an appetizer or side! And, perfect for your French fry fix without sacrificing nutrients. Say goodbye to potato, and hello to zucchini.

Recently, I’ve been seeing people air fry anything from strawberries to doughnuts and everything in between. What’s the hype, you might wonder. Well, I’m sure my recipe for super crispy air fryer zucchini fries just might convince you to give this trend a go.

And the best part? These crispy zucchini fries go with absolutely everything. Craving a burger? Pair these with my Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger.

Just looking for a snack? They taste even better dipped into my two-minute Garlic Mayo. They are great as a side dish, or add them to salads, or serve with soups – the possibilities are literally endless.

Why is it Healthier to Cook Zucchini Fries in an Air Fryer?

The big benefit of the air fryer is how much healthier it is than traditional deep fat frying. Oil has a lot of fat in it – including trans-fats. Therefore, using an air fryer – which uses zero or very minimal oil – will eliminate a lot of extra carbs and fats that aren’t good for our hearts.

Air fryers basically eliminate the need for almost all fat involved in cooking. They work similarly to a convection oven, using the hot air to cook the food rather than oil – leaving it soft on the inside, but crispy on the outside.

The Ingredients

• Zucchini: Look for the dark green zucchinis (Dunja, Black Beauty, Gadzukes) – though others will work just as well.
• Parmesan cheese: Fresh Parmigiano Reggiano or Granada Padano is the best, but you can substitute a dairy-free alternative or nutritional yeast.
• Breadcrumbs: Stale bread or homemade breadcrumbs are best for this. It’s a great way to use up leftovers! You can use Panko or other generic bread crumbs if you prefer.
• Flour: All-purpose flour works just fine, as well as gluten-free, rice, or any alternative flours.
• Eggs: Egg replacement mixtures will work in place of eggs; the eggs are used to make sure the coating sticks to the zucchini.
• Lemon zest: Fried zucchini gets such a flavor boost from citrus. Limes would also work if you don’t have lemons.
• Italian seasoning: You can buy these pre-mixed, but if you want to make your own, you’ll need oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary.
• Salt & pepper: To taste.
• Olive oil: Go for really good extra-virgin olive oil.
• Parsley: To garnish (optional).

Optional Add-ins and Variations

• Use Panko or Japanese breadcrumbs for a crispier texture. Or, you can use almond flour to make these keto and gluten-free.
• Extra spices that compliment zucchini include garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, and ginger. Incorporate these into the flour mixture that you’ll dip the zucchini in for extra flavor.
• Fresh basil works great with Italian flavors – you can take out the parsley garnish and exchange it for basil.

How to Make Air Fryer Zucchini Fries?

Preheat the Air Fryer

Some air fryers don’t need pre-heating but check your instructions before you start.

Get the air fryer up to 400ºF/200ºC. If you’re using an oven instead of an air fryer, you’ll need to pre-heat to 425ºF/220ºC.

Mix Your Ingredients

In one bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, parmesan, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk your eggs with the lemon zest until completely combined. 

Prepare the Zucchini

Remove the top and bottom edges of the zucchini. Cut the zucchini in half, then into quarters. You should have thick-cut zucchini sticks – though if you want them thinner, you can cut them again.

Dredge the Zucchini

Working in batches, dip a zucchini fry into the flour mix and coat it. Then, coat it in the egg and lemon mix, then drop it into the breadcrumbs and cover it completely. Set it aside. Repeat until your zucchini pieces are covered. 

Fry!

Using the air fryer: Spray the fries with olive oil. Then place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Work in batches – you don’t want to overcrowd the fryer.

Using the oven: Spread out the zucchini on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper – leave space between them. Spray with olive oil (or cooking spray) and cook for 20 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.

Garnish the baked zucchini fries with the chopped parsley and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. I love dipping them in garlic mayo or garlic aioli. You can also serve them alongside Crispy Fried Squash.

How to Freeze Zucchini Fries?

Once they’re baked, zucchini fries are easy to freeze. Though they might lose some of their crispiness if they’re kept for a long time.

The best way to freeze them is to lie them on a baking sheet in the freezer until they’re frozen. Then put them in a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container. That way, you won’t have to worry about crushing any of the fries. Zucchini will keep in the freezer for up to three months.

FAQs

Recipe Tips and Notes

• Everyone’s air fryer works differently, so it’s worth doing a test with a small batch. That way, there’s no risk of burned or undercooked zucchini!
• Patting your zucchini dry before you coat it in flour will get rid of any excess moisture. Zucchinis are very moist vegetables and this can reduce the crispiness.
• If you want to add more flavor, add your seasonings to the flour mixture AND the breadcrumbs.

Check out More Air Fryer Recipes

• Homemade Pita Chips
• Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower
• Crispy Air Fried Oyster Mushrooms
• The Best Pan-Fried Zucchini
• Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
• Air Fryer Asparagus (Easy & Quick)

If you try this parmesan zucchini fries recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and feel free to tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!