Air Fryer Zucchini
Are you looking for a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried zucchini? Look no further than the air fryer! Air frying has gained popularity in recent years as a way to enjoy crispy and delicious dishes with less oil. In this article, we will explore the wonders of air frying zucchini and how this kitchen gadget can transform this versatile vegetable into a guilt-free snack or side dish.
If you are a fan of fried zucchini like I am then you must make this Air Fryer Zucchini recipe. Light, flavorful, and crispy on the outside with just the right amount of crunch. This recipe gives all of the flavor of deep fried zucchini without the fat.
Whether you’re craving some savory zucchini fries or want to experiment with stuffed zucchini boats, the air fryer is sure to become your new favorite kitchen companion. Get ready to discover the incredible flavors and textures that can be achieved with air fryer zucchini!
Why Use an Air Fryer
I have to confess that the air fryer has quickly become my new favorite cooking method. One glance at my blog and it will be very obvious that is the case.
The air fryer is basically a compact convection oven that cooks more evenly in small batches. And the clean up is much easier than using a conventional oven. I find that the food in the air fryer cooks more evenly, and quicker than a conventional oven.
If you do not have an air fryer yet then I encourage you to look online on Amazon and read reviews. I purchased the Air Fryer made by Instapot and I love it.
It is small enough to fit easily on my countertop yet large enough to help cook a meal for my family of four. I am able to cook up to four pork chops or a small pizza in it.
I have also become a huge fan of using Air Fryer Liners. They cover the bottom of the air fryer basket and make clean up a breeze.
For this Air Fryer Zucchini recipe I used these liners and they worked like a dream. The Zucchini pieces were still super crispy and cooked evenly.
And when it came time to clean up I only had to throw the liner away.
I am thrilled at the ease and speed by which I am able to cook recipes in the air fryer. If you are interested in a few more air fryer recipes here are some of my favorites. So far Air Fryer Meatloaf and Air Fryer Pork Chops have been some of my favorite ways to cook meat. For vegetables I have found the Brussel Sprouts and Asparagus cook surprisingly well.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Zucchini Chunks
Are you looking for a healthy and delicious snack to satisfy your cravings? Look no further than these air fryer zucchini chunks! Packed with flavor, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside, these zucchini chunks are guaranteed to become your new favorite guilt-free treat. Here’s why you’ll love them:
- Healthier Alternative: Say goodbye to greasy deep-fried snacks and opt for a healthier alternative instead. By using an air fryer, you can achieve that irresistible crunch without all the unnecessary oil.
- Easy Preparation: Making these air fryer zucchini is incredibly simple. Just slice up some fresh zucchinis into bite-sized pieces, season them with your favorite herbs and spices, pop them in the air fryer basket, and let the machine do its magic!
- Versatility: These zucchini chunks are extremely versatile when it comes to flavors. You can experiment with various seasoning combinations like garlic powder, paprika, Italian herbs, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra kick.
- Nutritious Snack: Zucchinis are low in calories but high in essential nutrients like vitamins A and C, potassium, and dietary fiber. Adding this nutritious vegetable to your diet is an excellent way to boost your overall health while enjoying a tasty snack.
- Family-Friendly Option: Looking for a snack that everyone in the family will enjoy? Look no further! These zucchini chunks are loved by kids and adults alike due to their crispy texture and delightful taste.
Air Fryer Zucchini Ingredients
- Zucchini: The main ingredient in Air Fryer Zucchini is shockingly enough Zucchini. I find that I am able to use 3 medium size Zucchini for this recipe. For the type of air fryer that I have this amount seems to fit perfectly without crowding the air fryer basket. This is important because it allows for more even cooking.
- Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese: Bringing a salty and savory flavor to the bland zucchini is the parmesan cheese. This cheese is one of the key ingredients that helps bring the crunch to the outside of this unassuming vegetable.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: This type of bread crumbs cook up extra crispy in the air fryer. There are other types of bread crumbs but Panko Bread Crumbs works best for Air Fryer Zucchini.
- All Purpose Flour: Just the smallest amount of flour in this recipe helps all of the seasonings, cheese, and bread crumbs to combine and adhere to the zucchini perfectly.
- Seasonings: I have a blend of flavors that I have incorporated into this recipe that I love and recommend. I like my Air Fryer Zucchini to be lightly seasoned and not to over power the palate. If you have a specific flavor that you are after then I say use seasoning that support that. But for me a simple blend of onion powder, garlic powder, salt, ground black pepper, and dried parsley are all that is needed.
- Oil: When using the air fryer I prefer to use Avocado Oil. I find it to be a lighter oil than olive oil, and it has a higher smoke point. The oil helps all of the seasonings adhere to the Zucchini and helps to bring the crisp, making this Air Fryer Zucchini really taste fried.
How To Make Zucchini In The Air Fryer
- Use a cutting board and sharp knife to cut the zucchini into bite sized pieces.
- Place the pieces into a bowl and pour the oil on top of the zucchini. Mix the zucchini making sure to coat all of the pieces with the oil.
- In a separate bowl mix all of the dry ingredients: Panko Crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Flour, Salt, Pepper, Parsley, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder.Mix all of the dry ingredients completely.
- Pour the dry ingredient mix onto the zucchini pieces and mix completely.
- Open the air fryer and remove the basket. If you use an Air Fryer Liner place it into the basket, then add the zucchini pieces. If you do not use an Air Fryer Liner then you can just put the zucchini into the air fryer basket.
- Cook the Zucchini at 400 degrees for 7-9 minutes.I have a 1700 wat Air Fryer and 9 minutes makes my zucchini nice and crispy.Remove the zucchini from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula.Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep Zucchini from getting soggy?
The beauty of an air fryer is that it uses an elevated cooking tray. This allows the air to circulate and the water within the vegetable to evaporate. And that results in an evenly cooked and crispy Zucchini. Even using the Air Fryer Liners I still get a nice crispy outcome.
Should Zucchini be crunchy when cooked?
For this recipe the answer is yes, your Zucchini should be crunchy when it is cooked. I look at this recipe as a more healthy option than having french fries. So there should be a nice little crunch to the outside of the Air Fryer Zucchini when it is done cooking.
Can you eat the skin on Zucchini?
I absolutely eat the zucchini skin, that is where most of the beneficial nutrients are stored. If you have an aversion to the skin then you can grate or cut it off. However I say to cook it once with it on and see how you like it. I find that the skin adds to the flavor and the beauty of this side dish.
Tips and Tricks for making Air Fryer Zucchini
Cut into small uniform pieces: I like to cut the Zucchini into 1/2 inch bite size pieces. This allows for even cooking, and more of the breading to coat the Zucchini.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket: This rule goes for whatever you are cooking. The beauty of an air fryer is that it circulates are around whatever food it is cooking. When the basket is crowded full of food then the air cannot circulate and evenly cook the food. The result is soggy food that nobody wants to eat. So make sure that you have plenty of space in the basket so that you avoid this. If you need to cook the Zucchini in two batches it is work it to avoid this.
Give the basket a shakes part way through: By stopping the cooking half way through and giving the air fryer basket a shake it allows the Zucchini to cook more evenly.
Other Recipes to Try
Air Fryer Zucchini
Equipment
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Sharp Kitchen Knife
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Air Fryer Liner Optional
Ingredients
- 3 Zucchini Cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 tbsp Avocado or Olive Oil I prefer Avocado Oil
- 2 tbsp Finely grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 tbsp Panko Bread Crumbs
- 1 tbsp Flour
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Dried Parsley
Instructions
- Use a cutting board and sharp knife to cut the zucchini into bite sized pieces.Place the pieces into a bowl and pour the oil on top of the zucchini. Mix the zucchini making sure to coat all of the pieces with the oil.
- In a separate bowl mix all of the dry ingredients: Panko Crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Flour, Salt, Pepper, Parsley, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder.Mix all of the dry ingredients completely.
- Pour the dry ingredient mix onto the zucchini pieces and mix completely.
- Open the air fryer and remove the basket. If you use an Air Fryer Liner place it into the basket, then add the zucchini pieces. If you do not use an Air Fryer Liner then you can just put the zucchini into the air fryer basket.
- Cook the Zucchini at 400 degrees for 7-9 minutes. I have a 1700 wat Air Fryer and 9 minutes makes my zucchini nice and crispy.Remove the zucchini from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula.Enjoy!
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