Air Fryer Zucchini

Crispy air fryer zucchini will give you all the flavor and none of the guilt! This healthy version still packs the flavor punch.

Now all that left is to dip these these crispy sticks and enjoy. Try pairing with the BEST Homemade Ranch Dressing, some zesty Chipotle Ranch, or Avocado Lime Ranch. Can you tell I’m a fan of ranch?!

Healthier Fried Zucchini

If you are anything like me, you love all the things fried. Fried zucchini dipped in ranch is just mmm good. Well now you can enjoy that goodness with a bit less of the guilt!

This air fryer zucchini is not fried in oil which means a whole lot less calories. But don’t worry, it does NOT skimp in the flavor department. It still has that coveted crispy shell and soft tender center.

Cutting the zucchini in spears instead of discs makes the batches move a bit more quickly and gives each piece more substance. Now you feel like you are eating zucchini fries!!

If you do not have an air fryer yet, trust me…it’s time to join the club!

How to Make it

PREP. Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees.

SLICE. Cut zucchini into 5 inch x ½ inch thick sticks. We cut our zucchini in half lengthwise and then cut each section into thirds. Set aside.

DIPPING STATION. Place eggs in a bowl and whisk. In a second bowl, place flour, garlic salt and pepper in a bowl and mix. (If you used Italian seasoned crumbs you may want to reduce the amount of added seasoning.) Add the Panko into a third bowl.

DIP. Dip zucchini sticks in flour, then eggs, back into the flour and back into the eggs. Last dip them into the Panko.

FRY. Spray the rack of the air fryer with oil. Place the sticks in a single layer on the rack. Spray the sticks with olive oil spray and then fry for 13-14 minutes. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Alternate Cooking Options

If you don’t have an airfryer you can easily fry these in a pan with some vegetable oil. You can also bake them.

To Bake: Line a baking pan with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350°F. Place sticks in a single layer, spray with cooking spray and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway. Crisp them up under the broiler.

Tips for Perfectly Crispy Zucchini Sticks

Double dipping: I really like to have my zucchini thoroughly coated so I dip in the flour and egg mixture TWICE before coating with the Panko. The extra step is really worthwhile so that every bite is crisp and flavorful.

Don’t overcrowd: The air fryer works best when the items have enough airflow frying from all sides. You only want a single layer. The sticks can be placed right next to each other, but be sure that they are not too squished.

Variations & Dipping Sauces

Seasoning: An easy way to season these is to use Italian Panko crumbs. Some other flavor blends you can try is to add

• taco mix
• ranch dressing
• a cajun blend
• lemon pepper
• paprika or red chili flakes for some heat

No matter what seasoning you decide to add, if you stray from the original recipe, I would reduce or omit the added seasoning listed in the recipe otherwise the flavours will be much too strong. 

Breading options: Aside from switching of the flavors you can easily change what type of coating you use. You can try Gluten free bread or panko crumbs. For a low carb version, simply coat with a mixture of almond flour and parmesan cheese. 

Dipping: If these don’t already taste great, we like to enhance the experience by dipping our air fryer zucchini fries. These zucchini fries will taste great with anything from classic ketchup to Nacho Cheese. Some other favorite dipping sauces we like include:

• Honey Mustard Sauce
• Avocado Lime Ranch Dip
• Marinara
• Avocado Cream Sauce
• Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing
• Homemade Ranch

Making Ahead & Storing Leftovers

Make ahead: I will sometimes coat my zucchini the day before and place them on  a plate covered with plastic, and store them in the fridge until I’m ready to fry them. 

Leftovers: Place leftover air fryer zucchini sticks in a storage container and keep them in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat them, simply place them back in the airfryer set to 375°F for about 3 minutes, or until warm and crisp.

For more zucchini recipes, try:

• Parmesan Crusted Zucchini
• Zucchini Boats
• Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
• Zucchini Bread
• Fried Zucchini
• Zucchini Chicken Alfredo Rollups