With freshly grated cheese, a handful of seasonings, and Panko breadcrumbs, these Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are crispy and healthy! Pair with ranch dip for a quick and easy snack, appetizer, or side dish!
Looking for more zucchini recipes? Check out our Zucchini Corn Fritters, Zucchini Bread, and Pizza Stuffed Zucchini for some other easy dinner ideas!
Easy & Healthy Zucchini Fries
These Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are one of our new go-to appetizers and snacks. When paired with our homemade ranch dip, they are truly addictive. Like regular fries, you won’t be able to eat just one or two!
This fried zucchini has the inside texture of a French fry with the breading of a mozzarella stick – crispy and full of flavor, but way healthier. These really hit the spot when you’re craving fries but need something a little lighter.
A perfect recipe in the summer months when there’s an abundance of garden-fresh zucchini waiting to be used up, and there’s no desire to turn on the oven, but also great all year round since zucchini is always available at the market. The rest of the ingredients are simple and usually on-hand items, so they’re easy to make as a last-minute dish.
Ingredients Needed
These zucchini fries are made with zucchini (obviously), Panko breadcrumbs, freshly grated cheese and a handful of pantry staples.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Zucchini – One large zucchini is the perfect size for one batch of zucchini fries.
- Flour – Regular all-purpose flour works perfectly. This gives the zucchini a nice protective coating.
- Parmigiano-Reggiano – Use high-quality, freshly grated cheese here – not the kind that comes pre-grated in a plastic tub. You will taste a difference!
- Eggs – For the dredge to coat the fries before air frying. It gives the flour mixture something to adhere to.
- Milk – Provides a creamy base and also adds a little flavor.
- Panko breadcrumbs – Panko provides a crispier, lighter texture compared to other breadcrumbs.
- Seasonings – This recipe calls for a combination of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. You can play around with the seasonings according to your preference, though.
- Ranch (optional) – Our favorite way to enjoy these zucchini fries is with homemade ranch dip or marinara sauce!
How to Make Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Making zucchini fries in the air fryer is surprisingly easy, with only a few steps. The end result is perfectly crispy, tender, and healthy zucchini fries! Here’s a summary:
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Prepare the air fryer. Preheat to 400 degrees F and coat the basket with cooking spray.
- Prepare the zucchini. Combine the flour, Parmesan and seasonings in one shallow dish, the eggs and milk in another, and the Panko in a third. Dip each zucchini stick in the flour, then egg, and finally Panko.
- Cook & serve. Place the zucchini in a single layer in the air fryer. Top with cooking spray. Cook until golden and crispy, about 8-12 minutes depending on your air fryer. Repeat as necessary and serve with ranch dip.
ALL AIR FRYERS ARE DIFFERENT
Tips for Success
After making these a few times, we’ve discovered a few tips for the best, crispiest fried zucchini. Keep these in mind when cooking for the best zucchini fries every time!
- Dry the zucchini. Take a few seconds to pat your zucchini with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture, before dipping in the flour. This will help them crisp up more.
- Cut zucchini into equal sizes. Each zucchini stick should be approximately the same size, so they all cook in the same amount of time.
- Don’t crowd the air fryer. When you place the zucchini fries in the air fryer, be sure to leave room between each one for air to circulate. For best results, give a quick shake halfway through the cooking time.
Serving Suggestions
Air fried zucchini can be served as a snack, appetizer, or side dish. If serving them as a side dish, they pair so well with Roast Chicken, Turkey Burgers, and Grilled Flank Steak. For a fully vegetarian meal, serve them as a side to veggie burgers.
Zucchini fries are even better with something to dip them in, like our homemade ranch dip or marinara sauce. The flavors in the two are just made for each other and make one addicting combo.
How to Store & Freeze
Zucchini is full of water so when you let these cool and then reheat, they will become soft and mushy, so we don’t recommend storing any leftovers in the fridge. However, you can freeze zucchini fries (prepared as directed and raw.) Flash freeze on a baking sheet with parchment paper for 1-2 hours until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container to freeze completely. When you’re ready to eat them later, do not thaw them. Just transfer directly to your air fryer and cook until heated through.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes:
- Air Fryer Pineapple
- Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
- Toasted Ravioli
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Coconut Shrimp
I hope you love this delicious and simple recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Ingredients
- 10 ounces zucchini (approximately 1 large zucchini)
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (the good stuff – not pre-grated in the plastic tub.)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 eggs , lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- Homemade ranch dip , for serving
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Coat basket with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cut zucchini into wedges (3 to 4-inches long by 1/2-inch thick)
- Pat the zucchini with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture (this will help them crisp up more.)
- Combine flour, Parmesan, and all the seasonings together in a shallow dish.
- Stir together eggs and milk in another shallow dish.
- Pour Panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish.
- Dredge zucchini in the flour, then in the egg, and finally in the Panko, shaking off any excess.
- Arrange some of the zucchini in the basket, in a single layer without overlapping or touching, and coat the tops with cooking spray.
- Cook until golden, crispy and tender, anywhere from 8-12 minutes (depending on your air fryer.) Repeat with remaining zucchini.
- Serve with Ranch Dip.
- NOTE: All air fryers cook differently so keep an eye on the zucchini and use your best judgement when it comes to cook times. We highly suggest doing a test run with just a couple zucchini fries and then adjust the time/temp, if necessary.)
I just got an air fryer and trying out some recipes. These were PERFECT!