Zucchini Fries Air Fryer Recipe

There’s nothing quite like zucchini fries fresh out of the air fryer. The freshness of zucchini paired with the rich flavor of parmesan is simply divine! It’s the perfect way to enjoy that fried crispy goodness you crave without the guilt. All you need are a few simple ingredients and less than 20 minutes and you’ll have crispy golden zucchini fries that will get you hooked.

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I first tasted zucchini fries at a friend’s backyard BBQ a couple of summers ago. I instantly fell in love and I haven’t stopped making them since. They are fresh, light, and crispy. Did I mention they’re incredibly tasty? Air fryer zucchini fries are my go-to easy snack because they’re just a delight to make.

I enjoy this recipe as a casual snack. I put it in my kids’ lunchboxes, and make it for my husband on game day. It’s our favorite healthy movie night nibble paired with blackened ranch sauce. 

It also makes a great side dish for our favorite lunch or dinner mains and is always a hit when I serve it as an appetizer at parties and gatherings. In short, zucchini fries made in an air fryer are a versatile and crowd-pleasing treat that is perfect for any time and place.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple Recipe: Ready in less than 20 minutes with simple, everyday ingredients. This fuss-free recipe is perfect for busy days.
• Minimal Cleanup: Using the air fryer means less mess and easier cleanup afterward compared to traditional frying. You can spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your food! 
• Healthier Than French Fries: Air fryer zucchini fries offer a healthier twist on the classic French fries. You can enjoy the crispy goodness of French fries with a fraction of the fat and calories.
• Crispy and Delicious: Light, crispy, and packed with flavor. Perfect for satisfying cravings.
• Kid-Friendly: A wholesome snack that kids will love. It’s a great way to sneak some veggies into your kids’ diet!
• Versatile Snack: You can easily make this recipe uniquely yours – add your favorite herbs, spices, or seasonings to suit your taste. 

How to Make Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Gather a few simple ingredients, prep the batter, and let your air fryer do the rest. In less than 20 minutes, you’ll have perfectly golden air fryer zucchini fries that are crunchy on the outside yet tender on the inside. 

Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients You Need

• Zucchini: The star of the recipe! Zucchini provides a fresh base to the recipe and absorbs the seasonings well. 
• Flour: Flour helps the coating stick to the zucchini and adds to the overall crispiness of the fries.
• Italian seasoning: Adds a delicious pop of flavor to the breading. Buy premade Italian seasoning, or you can make your own at home.
• Salt
• ​Ground black pepper
• Eggs: Acts as a binder and helps the ingredients stick to the zucchini slices better.
• Panko bread crumbs: Gives the fries a light and extra crispy coating, resulting in a delightful crunch.
• Parmesan cheese: Adds that rich, savory flavor to the fries and helps achieve a golden-brown, crispy finish.
• Olive oil spray

Step-By-Step Instructions

Cooking zucchini fries in an air fryer is easy peasy. Just follow the simple steps below and you can’t go wrong.

Step 1: Prep the Zucchini

Rinse and dry the zucchini well. Trim the ends off the zucchini. Cut each in half, then slice into sticks resembling fries.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Combine the flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. This dish could be a baking dish or plate—anything you can toss the zucchini and flour in.

Step 3: Whisk the Eggs

Whisk the eggs together in a medium bowl.

Step 4: Mix the Bread Crumbs and Parmesan Cheese

In a second medium bowl, mix the Panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese together. 

At this point, you should have three separate “stations”: the shallow dish with the flour seasoning, the first bowl with the eggs, and the second bowl with the Parmesan bread crumbs.

Step 5: Dredge the Zucchini

Dredge each zucchini stick in the flour seasoning, then the egg, and finally the Parmesan bread crumbs. Press the bread crumbs gently into the zucchini as needed so that it sticks well.

To “dredge” means to lightly coat food with a dry ingredient like flour or cornmeal. The food is then dipped in a liquid like eggs or buttermilk, followed by a seasoned coating.

Step 6: Prep the Air Fryer

Grease your air fryer basket lightly with cooking oil. Arrange the zucchini fries inside in a single layer.

Step 7: Cook the Fries

Spray the zucchini with oil and air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes. Serve warm.

Substitutions & Variations

This air fryer zucchini fries recipe uses simple, easily available ingredients. All you need are zucchinis – you most likely have the rest in your pantry. In case you don’t, here are some substitutions I recommend.

• Flour: If you want to make this recipe gluten-free, substitute regular flour with almond flour and omit the breadcrumbs.
• Panko bread crumbs: No panko bread crumbs available? Use Italian breadcrumbs instead.

Feeling creative or simply want a change-up? Try these equally delicious air fryer zucchini fries variations.

• Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Fries: Garlic Parmesan is a tasty classic flavor combination and suits zucchini fries well. Simply add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder to the Parmesan-bread crumbs mixture and see the difference in taste!
• Air Fryer Zucchini Chips: Okay, this is exactly the same recipe, but instead of slicing the zucchini into sticks, slice them into 1/4-inch rounds to make chips. Just a fun change if you often cook this recipe (and you will!)
• Zucchini Fries with Tempura Batter: Another fun change would be to coat your zucchini fries with tempura batter instead of bread crumbs. Just mix 1 cup plain flour, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1 cup soda water in a bowl to make the batter. Dip the zucchini slices into the batter and cook in the air fryer as usual.

Expert Tips

• Choose small to medium zucchini. I always use small to medium-sized zucchini because they’re less watery and have fewer seeds.
• Cut zucchini into equal-sized pieces. Slice your zucchini into equal-sized sticks to make sure they cook evenly in the air fryer. You may end up with some undercooked pieces as a result of uneven cooking. 
• Avoid soggy fries. Zucchini has a very high water content, so it’s important to remove any excess moisture before cooking. Pat the zucchini sticks dry using a paper towel before breading them to make crispier fries. 
• Use freshly-grated Parmesan. Parmesan is one of the main ingredients in this recipe, so don’t skimp on quality. You can buy it pre-grated, but I recommend that you grate it fresh for this recipe.
•  Cook one layer at a time. Air fry zucchini in a single layer – they won’t get as crispy if you stack them. Make sure there’s space between each fry and no pieces overlap. Fry in batches to achieve the ideal crispy texture.
• Serve right away. Serve your zucchini fries immediately or while still warm. Otherwise, refrigerate and reheat for later because they can lose their crispiness quickly if you let them sit out too long.

How to Store This Recipe

Zucchini fries are best served fresh out of the air fryer. Whenever I make them, they’re usually gone within minutes, but if you happen to have leftovers, you can place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I don’t recommend storing them in the freezer—they turn soggy even after reheating because of the zucchini’s high water content.

To reheat, arrange the fries in a single layer in your air fryer and cook at 350°F for 5 to 8 minutes. They should crisp up again.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Zucchini fries are best served with a dipping sauce or two. They’re a good pair for the classic ketchup and/or mayo, but you can choose whichever you like. My favorites to pair them with include marinara sauce, blackened ranch sauce, garlic aioli, Lawson’s chip dip, Popeyes spicy mayonnaise, Wingstop ranch dressing, and my 3-ingredient onion dip. 

Serve them anywhere you would serve traditional french fries – think burgers, hot wings, chicken tenders, fried fish in batter (fish and chips), and more.

They’re a great appetizer for dinner, too. My family enjoys them with some protein like Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken or Herb-Crusted Texas Roadhouse Chicken.

More Easy Appetizer Recipes To Try

Aren’t easy homemade appetizers the best? They’re perfect for satisfying cravings without spending too much time in the kitchen. Like air fryer zucchini fries, 4-ingredient guacamole is great both as a home or party snack too.

If you make this Air Fryer Zucchini Fries, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!