Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

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These Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are crispy, perfectly seasoned, and so easy to make. The air fryer is the best way to make zucchini fries!

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (1)

I love using my air fryer because it makes food deliciously crispy with very little oil. Our favorite air fryer recipes include Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, Air Fryer Cauliflower, and these Air Fryer Zucchini Fries.

When you have an abundance of fresh zucchini and you’ve had your fill of Roasted Zucchini and Zucchini Bread, these zucchini fries are the perfect zucchini recipe to satisfy your cravings!

The air fryer makes the best zucchini fries. Since air circulates around the fries as they cook, they turn out so crispy! In this recipe I’ve combined a few simple seasonings and Parmesan cheese with a crispy breadcrumb coating to give these zucchini fries the best texture and flavor. You are going to love them!

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (2)

Enjoy this air fryer zucchini as an appetizer, side dish or snack. Zucchini fries are delicious on their own, or serve them with a dipping sauce. Try them with marinara sauce, ranch dressing or aioli.

Ingredients

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (3)

  • Zucchini: Choose fresh zucchini that are deep green in color with skin that is free of blemishes.
  • All-Purpose Flour: The flour helps the egg to stick to the zucchini.
  • Eggs: The eggs are the “glue” that helps the seasoned breadcrumb coating to stick to the zucchini.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko makes the crispiest coating!
  • Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds delicious flavor to this air fryer zucchini recipe.
  • Seasonings: A combination of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper adds lots of flavor.
  • Olive Oil Spray: Lightly spraying the zucchini fries before cooking helps to make them extra crispy. I prefer olive oil spray, but you can another oil spray such as canola oil or coconut oil.

How to Make Zucchini Fries in an Air Fryer

Here is an overview of how to make air fryer zucchini fries, with some tips for success. Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.

If you know how to make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders or Baked Chicken Tenders, the steps for breading zucchini fries are very similar.

  1. Trim the ends off of the zucchini. Cut each zucchini crosswise into two pieces. Then cut into 1/2-inch sticks. I’ve found that it’s best to not pat the zucchini dry. A little moisture will help the flour to stick.
  2. Working with a few zucchini fries at a time, first coat the zucchini in flour. Gently tap off any excess flour. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (4)
  3. Dip in the beaten eggs, making sure to fully coat all sides of the zucchini with the egg. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (5)
  4. Coat the fries in the breadcrumb, Parmesan and seasoning mixture. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (6)
  5. Place the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Leave a little space between each zucchini piece so that the air can circulate around as they cook. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (7)
  6. Spray the tops of the fries with oil spray.
  7. Air fry for 10-12 minutes until the outsides are browned and crispy and the fries are tender when pierced with a fork.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (8)

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Recipe Tips:

  • Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the zucchini fries in a single layer with a little space between them. This allows the air to circulate around them, crisping the edges. You will probably need to cook the fries in batches.
  • You do not need to flip the fries. Both sides will crisp without flipping and the less you handle the zucchini fries, the less likely you’ll lose some of the crispy coating.
  • To make this recipe dairy-free, omit the Parmesan cheese.
  • Different air fryer models may cook differently, so adjust the cook time as needed.

Can I use regular breadcrumbs?

I have tested this recipe with both Panko breadcrumbs and regular breadcrumbs. You can use regular breadcrumbs, but the fries won’t be quite as crispy as they are with Panko. The larger pieces of Panko breadcrumbs make for a crispier breading. Either way, the fries are delicious!

Can I bake these in the oven?

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the zucchini fries in the oven. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place the breaded zucchini fries on the parchment-lined baking sheet and spray lightly with oil spray.
  3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping once halfway through the cook time, until fries are browned and tender when pierced with a fork.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (9)

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (10)

4.64 from 11 ratings

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

These Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are crispy, perfectly seasoned, and easy to make. Enjoy them as an appetizer, snack or side dish. Serve these healthy fries with marinara sauce, ranch dressing or aioli for dipping.

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Ingredients

  • 2 medium zucchini
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs*
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • olive oil spray, or other oil spray such as canola or coconut oil

Instructions

  • Trim off the ends of the zucchini. Cut each zucchini in half crosswise. Then slice zucchini into ½-inch thick fries. (You do not need to peel the zucchini.)

  • To prepare the zucchini fries you will need 3 wide, shallow bowls, dishes or pie plates. In one dish, place the flour. In the second dish, lightly beat the eggs. In the third dish, stir together the Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

  • Working with a few zucchini fries at a time, coat each one first in the flour, and gently tap off any excess flour. Then coat in the egg, making sure to fully coat all sides. Finally, coat each piece with the breadcrumb mixture.

  • Arrange fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space in between each fry for the air to circulate. (Cook in batches as needed.) Spray the tops of the fries with oil spray.

  • Air fry at 400° F for 10-12 minutes, until the outsides are browned and crispy and the insides are tender when pierced with a fork. You do not need to flip the fries. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Regular breadcrumbs may also be used, but the zucchini fries will be slightly less crispy.

Calories: 227kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 93mg, Sodium: 632mg, Potassium: 383mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 445IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 218mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: American

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!

posted by Kristine Rosenblatt on Jun 28, 2021

13 comments Leave a comment »

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13 comments on “Air Fryer Zucchini Fries”

  1. Cin Reply

    A little time consuming since I doubled the recipe, but worth it. I used 4 zucchini and my 3 boys and I each had a zucchini a piece! These fries were so healthy instead of French fries and a perfect compliment with cheeseburgers 🍔. Crunchy on the outside, so tender on the inside and very tasty! Served them with salsa. Yum!

  2. DLM Reply

    I’ve made this recipe three or four times only with different variations of the way I cut the zucchini. Used the same recipe though and love it.

  3. Kelly Reply

    These are a bit of work but are totally worth it! My family and I loved them. They are so crispy and tasty. The only thing I did differently was to salt the zucchini and let it sit to get some of the water out. That way it doesn’t get soggy. Definitely a keeper!

  4. Lucy Reply

    Oh my this is SO good!

  5. Sue Reply

    DELICIOUS!!

  6. Lois Reply

    Very good I prepped them ahead of time excellent

  7. Pamela Reply

    I made these and my family raved about them. This will be my new zucchini recipe. It is a little time consuming so I switched the flor and the breadcrumbs to gallon baggies for a faster result

  8. Evan smith Reply

    At 400 degrees for 10 minutes it burns the fries. And not doing it in oil and using flour results in raw flour being on the fries. There is little to no flavor in the actual breading.

    • Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (14)

      Kristine Rosenblatt Reply

      Hi Evan,
      I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy this recipe, especially since many others have make it and loved it. Different air fryers can cook differently, so you may need to adjust the cooking time for your model. The flour shouldn’t be raw anymore after cooking in the air fryer.

  9. KT Reply

    These zucchini fries were fantastic!! I followed the recipe as written and the final product was delicious! Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside! This is a definite keeper of a recipe!!!!

    Thanks for sharing a GREAT air fryer recipe, Kristine!!

  10. KT Reply

    These fries are perfection!! Just made a half batch and ate every single one of the fries by myself lol!

    Could these fries be prepped through the breading step and then frozen to be air fried at a later time??? I would love to have a stash of these fries in my freezer ready to air fry whenever the craving hits me!!

    • Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (15)

      Kristine Rosenblatt Reply

      I’m so glad you enjoyed them! I have not tried freezing them before cooking. If you decide to try it, let me know how it works.

  11. Charlotte Reply

    This was the first thing I cooked in my new air fryer, and they were great. I used whole wheat flour and the pork rind crumbs with a little panko thrown in to change it up. Work fine and then dipped in yum yum sauce. 1 zucchini would had been just right for my husband and I, but I did 2, and we ate everyone of them. It was yummy! 😀

Leave a comment »

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy Recipe! - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Can you air fry birds eye crinkle cut zucchini fries? ›

Super easy and super tasty from the air fryer. Crispy outside and not mushy inside since these are cut thin/well. Great with a ranch or similar dipping sauce. My family liked these but they don't have as much flavor as some other veggie fries or tots.

How hard is it to use an air fryer? ›

Using your air fryer is a breeze, just follow these steps for foolproof results every time: Evenly coat the inside of the metal cooking basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Don't overcrowd! Allowing hot air to reach the entire surface of food is key to that great crunchy exterior.

Why didn t my fries get crispy in air fryer? ›

It's essential that you spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and that you leave a little space between each one. If they're too crowded, the potatoes will steam inside the air fryer, and they won't get crispy. In order to give them adequate space, you'll likely need to work in batches.

Why is my fried zucchini soggy? ›

Zucchini is made of over 90% water. When cooked, it gets soft and slowly releases that water into whatever dish you're cooking. If zucchini is overcooked, it will have a mushy, soft texture. In certain recipes, the author may recommend that zucchini be patted dry or salted and drained before cooking.

Why are people getting rid of air fryers? ›

Air fryers, once hailed as a kitchen revolution, are now being sidelined by some users. But why are people getting rid of air fryers? This concise exploration uncovers the primary concerns: they're bulky, they have limited cooking uses, and they often don't deliver on the promise of crispy, tasty food.

What cannot be cooked in air fryer? ›

7 Foods You Should Never Cook In Your Air Fryer
  1. Wet Batters. Those beer-battered onion rings, fries, fish cutlets, plus tempura veggies and more are not well suited for a crisp in the air fryer. ...
  2. Cheesy Items. ...
  3. Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  4. Baked Goods. ...
  5. Greens. ...
  6. Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  7. Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

What is the first thing I should cook in my air fryer? ›

Air fryers are versatile kitchen appliances that can be used to cook a variety of foods quickly and easily. If you're using an air fryer for the first time, it's best to start with something simple, like French fries, chicken wings or vegetables.

Why are my vegetables not crispy from the air fryer? ›

Check in on your air fryer basket frequently to make sure your veggies aren't burning and also make sure you space them out in a single layer. Some other hacks: Be sure to preheat your air fryer and also take out your veggies half way through to toss them with oil and seasonings before returning them to the basket.

Why do my air fryer fries get soggy? ›

Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can cause the fries to cook unevenly and become soggy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your fries in batches to achieve the best results. Once your fries are spread out in a single layer, you're ready to start cooking them.

How long does it take to air fry crinkle fries? ›

You're going to love how easy it is to make frozen crinkle cut fries in the air fryer! They're ready in just 15 minutes & perfect for dipping.

How long to air fry birdseye? ›

To Cook in the AirFryer (minimum capacity 3.2 Litres) from Frozen:
  1. Based on 4 fish fingers.
  2. Total Cook Time: 8minutes Preheat airfryer to 180°C for 3 minutes30 seconds.
  3. Remove all packaging.
  4. Place product in basket and place in air fryer.
  5. Cook for 8minutes, turning halfway through cooking.
  6. Allow to stand for 1 minute.

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