Love crispy baked zucchini but loathe turning on your oven in the peak of summer heat? Make this Air Fryer Zucchini instead!

Pieces of zucchini tossed in a light Parmesan and panko breadcrumb coating, then air fried until crispy outside and tender inside, air fried zucchini is the lower maintenance cousin of Zucchini Fries.

When you’re looking to cook vegetables with maximal crunch appeal in a healthy way, the air fryer is the appliance for the job.

One of the reasons I love making zucchini (aside from the obvious—we have a boatload of it), is that it requires very little prep work compared to other vegetables.

For example, to make Roasted Zucchini or Grilled Zucchini, it’s as easy as cutting the zucchini into spears.

To continue the easy zucchini trajectory, rather than make air fried zucchini chips—which, while yummy, take longer to slice and have to be cooked in smaller batches—I opted to cut the zucchini into bite-sized pieces instead.

It takes less time to prep the zucchini this way, and you can get away with adding more to the air fryer basket at a time.

Result: more crispy zucchini in less time.

I like this math.

How to Air Fry Zucchini

Zucchini is pretty bland on its own, which makes it versatile.

It also means seasoning is very important.

• For the breading, I used a combination of onion powder, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.
• Since this recipe is very light and healthy, preparing it as air fryer zucchini Parmesan makes it more satisfying.

Feel free to add cayenne to make it spicy, or swap the Parmesan for nutritional yeast (or omit it) to make air fried zucchini vegan.

The Ingredients

• Zucchini. The green bounty of summer produce becomes addictively crispy and flavorful in the air fryer. It’s healthy, tender, and a crowd-pleaser! Zucchini is packed with fiber and antioxidants.
• Olive Oil. Helps the zucchini crisp and keeps it from burning.
• Panko. Gives the zucchini a deliciously crisp exterior.
• Flour. A coating of flour helps the breadcrumbs stick and makes the zucchini taste like it’s fried. You can use white whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour.
• Parmesan. A small handful of Parmesan adds a scrumptious salty, cheesiness.

• Spices. A simple mix of salt, onion powder, and black pepper are all these zucchini pieces need.

The Directions

1. Trim and cut the zucchini, then add it to a mixing bowl.

2. Toss the zucchini with oil.

3. Stir in the panko, Parmesan, flour, and spices. Toss to coat.

4. Add half of the zucchini to an air fryer.

5. Air fry zucchini at 400 degrees F for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally. Remove to a serving plate. Repeat with the remaining zucchini. ENJOY!

Storage Tips

• To Store. Refrigerate zucchini in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days. 
• To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the air fryer. 
• To Freeze. I do not recommend freezing zucchini, as it becomes soggy once thawed. If you insist, you can freeze zucchini in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Zucchini

• Meat. Serve this dish with Baked Pork Tenderloin, Braised Short Ribs, or Chicken Piccata.
• Fish. This recipe would pair well with Broiled Salmon, Garlic Butter Shrimp, or Grilled Cod.
• Pasta. Enjoy Instant Pot Spaghetti, Pasta Primavera, or Shrimp Ravioli with zucchini.
• Casserole. Serve air fried zucchini as a side with Chicken and Rice Casserole, Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole, or Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese.
• Sandwich. Pair air fryer zucchini with a Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Slow Cooker Pulled Pork sandwich, or Blue Cheese Burger.
• Stir Fry. Add zucchini to Cauliflower Fried Rice, General Tso Chicken, or Beef Lo Mein.

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With this crispy and crunch, if you have some extra zucchini, I’ll take a bunch!