Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

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Craving fries but want to keep it healthy? Get ready to satisfy your taste buds with these irresistibly Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries, a guilt-free delight that will leave you wanting more. Air fryer and oven instructions included!

Air fryer zucchini fries on a plate with bowl of ranch dipping sauce and a green napkin.

Zucchini is a versatile vegetable that deserves a place in every food lover's kitchen! Not only is it low in calories and packed with essential nutrients, it also boasts a mild flavor that pairs beautifully with a variety of seasonings. I love using zucchini in dishes like my Greek zucchini fritters, my summer zucchini and corn frittata, and my low carb stuffed zucchini boats.

Now, I'm excited to share with you one of my new favorite zucchini recipes- these crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries. These guilt-free fries are a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional deep-fried French fries. They make a great appetizer at parties, a perfect side dish for family dinners, or a convenient healthy after school snack for kids.

These are the best zucchini fries! With the help of your trusty air fryer, you can enjoy all the crispiness and flavor you crave, while still sticking to your healthy eating goals. So, let's dive in and discover the secrets behind these addictively tasty and crispy zucchini fries!

Learn how to adapt any recipe to cook in your air fryer! Read my Easy Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Guide and get my helpful conversion chart!

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A Healthy Alternative To French Fries

Air frying has become a game-changer in the world of healthy cooking. By using hot air circulation, this cooking method achieves that beloved crispy texture we all crave without the need for excessive oil. The result? A lighter and healthier version of your favorite comfort foods.

I use my air fryer to cook everything from frozen chicken wings to Maryland-style crab cakes to whole spaghetti squash! It's even terrific for reheating pizza perfectly or ripening bananas for recipes like banana bread or banana muffins. I even wrote a cookbook about air frying!

Now, for this recipe, I use the power of the air fryer to transform zucchini into irresistible fries that will satisfy your cravings without compromising your health. These crispy zucchini fries just get sprayed with a small amount of olive oil. That's a lot less oil than traditional French fries, which are deep fried in oil.

If you're following a low carb or keto diet, you can try my air fryer zucchini instead, which has no breading.

Don't worry, if you don't have an air fryer, you can still make these amazing zucchini fries in the oven (oven instructions are included in the recipe card at the end of the post).

On the fence about buying an air fryer? Read my post on Why You Need An Air Fryer In Your Life.

Why You'll Love This Dish

Crispy perfection: these air fryer zucchini fries have a satisfyingly crispy exterior without the need for excessive oil, thanks to the air fryer
Healthy indulgence: indulge in the classic comfort of fries while staying on track with your healthy eating goals
Versatile flavors: customize your zucchini fries with a variety of seasonings and spices
Quick and easy: with the help of your trusty air fryer, these zucchini fries are ready in a fraction of the time compared to traditional deep-frying methods
Family-friendly favorite: these fries are a hit with both kids and adults; it's a great dish to get your kids to eat more veggies!

Doctor's Tips

By swapping out starchy potatoes for zucchini in these fries, you'll boost your intake of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants without sacrificing flavor. Zucchini is low in calories and has a high water content, which is important for overall health and can help you feel fuller for longer. It contains many beneficial nutrients, and is particularly high in vitamin A, which supports your vision and immune system.

Ingredients

Ingredient notes and substitutions:

Zucchini- fresh zucchini is the star of the dish! You'll need two medium zucchini for this recipe; you can substitute yellow squash
Flour- you will need this for your breading station; you can use all purpose flour, almond flour or whole wheat flour to incorporate some healthy whole grains; the flour coats the cut zucchini and helps the egg and breadcrumbs stick to it
Eggs- these are mixed with water to make an egg wash for the second step of the breading station; it helps the breadcrumbs stick to the zucchini fries
Breadcrumbs- I like to use panko breadcrumbs for their light crispy texture
Seasonings- I use a combination of garlic powder and Italian seasoning but you can use your favorite herbs and spices
Parmesan cheese- adds a nice salty flavor; you can substitute nutritional yeast

Best Air Fryer

Looking for an air fryer? I love the Ninja Max XL 5.5 quart Air Fryer. The large basket is perfect for a family of four.

How To Make Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Step-By-Step

Steps 1-4 for making air fryer zucchini fries.

See recipe card below for full recipe details.

Step 1- Cut the zucchini into sticks about ½-inch wide and 3-4 inches long. Pat them dry.
Step 2- Set up your breading station. Place the flour in a breading tray or shallow dish. Mix the egg with 1 tablespoon of water in a second dish. In a third shallow dish, mix the breadcrumbs, parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt together. Working in batches, dredge zucchini sticks in the flour, shaking off any excess.
Step 3- Then dip them into the egg wash.
Step 4- Finally, dip them into the breadcrumb mixture, coating all sides well.

Steps 5-6 for making air fryer zucchini fries.

Step 5- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F. Spray the air fryer basket with oil, then place a batch of zucchini fries in the basket, in a single layer. For easy clean up, you can line your basket with an air fryer liner. For best results, don't overcrowd the basket. You will need to cook the fries in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Step 6- Cook zucchini fries 8-12 minutes, until golden brown and tender (cooking time will vary depending on the model of air fryer). Flip them halfway through for even browning and maximum crunch. Repeat with the remaining zucchini. To make these zucchini fries in the oven, place them on a baking sheet and bake at 425°F for 18-22 minutes.

Serve these zucchini fries with one of your favorite dipping sauces like marinara sauce, ranch dressing, fry sauce or garlic aioli.

Chef's Tips

Feel free to mix up the seasonings and add your favorite herbs and spices to the breadcrumb mixture like paprika, chili powder or cayenne pepper.
Preheat your air fryer for best results.
For easy clean up, you can line your basket with a liner. Read my post on using parchment paper liners in an air fryer.
Don't overcrowd the basket otherwise your fries won't crisp up as well; work in smaller batches if needed.
Spray lightly the fries with oil for a golden brown color. I use an oil sprayer for best results- it allows you to use a small amount of oil and disperse it evenly over your food.
Flip them halfway through for even browning.

Not sure what types of oils to use in your air fryer? Read my post on The Best Oils and Oil Sprays for the Air Fryer.

What To Serve With These Zucchini Fries

Serve these crispy air fryer zucchini fries with your favorite dipping sauce like marinara sauce, ranch dressing, fry sauce or garlic aioli.

These zucchini fries are the perfect side dish for burgers like my Air Fryer Turkey Burgers or Grilled Salmon Burgers. For a vegetarian meal, serve them with Air Fryer Beyond Burgers.

Since you'll have the air fryer on, you can make my Air Fryer Chicken Legs or Chicken Wings.

These zucchini fries also make a great appetizer when you're entertaining. Try them with my Marry Me Chicken or Salmon Oreganata.

Recipe FAQs

How do you store zucchini fries?

These zucchini fries can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 few days, however they will soften with time. To reheat them, crisp them up in the air fryer for a few minutes at 360°F.

Can you freeze zucchini fries?

Yes, you can. You can freeze the zucchini fries uncooked or after you've cooked them. If freezing cooked fries, make sure to cool them completely first. Then, place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze for 1-2 hours until firm. Then, transfer the fries to a freezer bag and store in the freezer up to 3 months.

Why are my zucchini fries soggy?

Make sure to pat your zucchini sticks dry before breading them. Also, cook the zucchini fries in the air fryer in a single layer- don't overcrowd the basket. This will help ensure that they crisp up nicely.

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