Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Recipe
Crispy, crunchy, flavorful, and healthy.
Crispy air fryer zucchini fries are a delicious, healthy alternative to French fries. This quick and easy method for making amazing zucchini fries in the air fryer means less mess, fewer calories but just as much flavor! Try this air fryer zucchini recipe for a great way to get your veggies in with dinner.
Looking for more easy air fryer fries? Try my Air Fryer Avocado Fries next for another delicious appetizer!
Air Fried Zucchini Fries
The inspiration behind this air fryer zucchini fries recipe is Carl’s Jr. zucchini fries. When I was younger, my mom and I were obsessed with them! Every time she would pick me up from school, we would look at each other with a sneaky face and go grab a portion to share. I love recreating old faves so you’re in for a real treat with this one!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Recipe
Better Than Fast Food. In hindsight, I’m sure the Carl’s Jr. zucchini fries were not made with the best ingredients. Plus, they were a bit soggy. However, these are made with fresh zucchini, as well as better-for-you ingredients!
Healthy Alternative to French Fries. Making zucchini fries in the air fryer eliminates the excess grease from deep frying. And using zucchini instead of potatoes is far more nutritious.
Versatile. Enjoy these as a nutritious guilt-free snack or add them to any meal, just like classic fries.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Ingredients
Zucchini: You will need two medium-sized zucchini.
Avocado oil spray: This prevents the fries from sticking to the air fryer basket.
WET INGREDIENTS
Large eggs: Coat the zucchini strips with beaten eggs so the dry ingredients will adhere to the surface.
DRY INGREDIENTS
Breadcrumbs: These get golden brown in the air fryer and add a delectable crispiness.
Grated parmesan cheese: This adds a salty pop of flavor and even more crunch.
Seasoning: I use a delicious medley of paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
How to Make Zucchini Fries in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F for 3 minutes. Cut the zucchini into long, thin strips (resembling fries).
In one shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs.
In another shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Spray the basket of the air fryer with the avocado cooking oil spray. Dip the zucchini fries into the egg mixture, then the breadcrumb mixture.
Place it in the air fryer. Repeat with the remaining zucchini until all of them are coated. Air fry at 400F for 18 minutes, flipping them halfway.
Serve the fries immediately in your favorite dipping sauce, like ranch dressing or marinara!
Tips
A few helpful notes when making your fries:
Cut your zucchini slices into equal-sized pieces. This is the best way to ensure that your fries cook evenly throughout. If you cut them into a variety of sizes, you'll run the risk of having some fries overcooked and crispy, while others might be undercooked or too soft.
Before you start breading, pat the zucchini with a paper towel to get rid of any excess moisture. This step is crucial as it helps the egg and breadcrumb mixture stick to the zucchini better, ultimately giving you that delicious crunchy texture.
If your air fryer isn't large enough to fit all the zucchini in a single layer, don't squeeze them in. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking and less crispy results. Instead, cook your zucchini fries in batches. Remember, the goal is to give each piece enough space to cook evenly and get that delicious crispy exterior.
Avocado oil has a high smoke point, making it excellent for air frying. Use it to spray the bottom of the air fryer basket and lightly coat the top of the zucchini fries. This will not only prevent sticking but also aid in achieving that much-desired golden crust.
Serve these right away! Trust me, you won’t be able to not eat the whole batch. However, if they sit out for too long or go back into the fridge to reheat, they lose their crispy crunch, and we don't want that. Fresh is best!
Use finely grated parmesan cheese. This will adhere to the zucchini better, providing a uniform coating and boosting the flavor. You can buy pre-grated cheese from the store or buy a block and pulse it a few times in a food processor to get that perfect, fine texture. The added crunch and flavor from the parmesan will take these zucchini fries to a whole new level.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Oil: Instead of avocado oil spray, you can swap for olive oil spray or coconut oil spray.
Breadcrumbs: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if necessary. These can also be pre-seasoned breadcrumbs. Additionally, a mixture of almond flour and freshly grated parmesan cheese is one way to make these fries low carb and keto.
Seasoning: Add any other seasonings you prefer. Oregano, thyme, dried parsley, and Italian seasoning work really well too.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Persian Chicken: These juicy marinated chicken thighs pair well with this crispy veggie side dish.
Chick Fil A Air Fryer Nuggets: Craving fast food? Serve them with some chicken nuggets for a meal the kids will love!
Air Fryer Recipes: Make a whole meal in the air fryer. Make it chicken or fish with Air Fryer Salmon or these Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets.
Storing Leftovers
For best results, serve these immediately after cooking. If you need to store, store extra zucchini fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, just place in a single layer in the air fryer at 350 for 5-8 minutes to crisp up.
FAQ
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Mushy zucchini fries can be a result of the high moisture content in the zucchini. This happens because this certain squash variety naturally contains a lot of water, which can release during the cooking process and cause fogginess.
To avoid this, you can draw out excess moisture before air frying. Cut the zucchini into fries, then blot the slices with a paper towel to absorb surface moisture. You can also lightly salt the zucchini pieces and let them sit for about 15 minutes. The salt will draw out excess water. Next, rinse the zucchini to remove excess salt and pat them dry thoroughly before going on with the recipe.
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Achieving crispy zucchini fries in an air fryer is all about managing moisture and optimizing the cooking process! Here are some tips: Make sure to dry the zucchini fries thoroughly before coating them in egg and breadcrumb mixture. Also, it's essential to spray them with cooking spray or brush them lightly with oil, which helps them to crisp up in the air fryer. Ensure the fries are placed in a single layer with space around each one - this allows the hot air to circulate evenly around each fry for uniform crispness.
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After you wash the zucchini well and trim off both ends, cut a thin slice from one side to create a flat base(you don't want the zucchini to roll while you're cutting it!) Stand the zucchini up on the flat base and cut it into even planks lengthwise. Then, cut each plank lengthwise into fries, trying to keep the pieces approximately the same size so they will cook evenly.
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The cooking time for zucchini fries in the air fryer largely depends on their size and the model of your air fryer. Generally, it will take between 12-18 minutes at 400°F. Thicker fries will take closer to 18 minutes, while thinner ones may be done in 12 minutes. It's best to start checking on them at around 10 minutes to avoid overcooking.
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Achieving a golden brown finish on air-fried zucchini involves a combination of the right temperature, adequate space, and proper oiling. Make sure the zucchini fries are lightly coated in oil to help them brown in the air fryer.
Overcrowding can lead to steam formation, which prevents browning, so ensure that fries are placed in a single layer and not touching. Lastly, turning the zucchini fries halfway through cooking ensures even browning. It's also important to monitor the fries closely because every air fryer is different and may heat more or less quickly than others.
Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini
- Avocado oil spray
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3/4 teaspoon paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400F for 3 minutes.
- Cut the zucchini into long, thin strips (resembling fries).
- In one shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs.
- In another shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Spray your air fryer with avocado oil spray.
- Dip the zucchini fries into the egg mixture, then the breadcrumb mixture. Place it in the air fryer. Repeat with the remaining zucchini until all of them are coated.
- Air fry at 400F for 18 minutes, flipping them half way.
- Serve the fries immediately in your favorite dipping sauce or marinara!
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