Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Incredibly crispy, golden-brown zucchini fries with a flavorful parmesan breadcrumb coating. A healthy and delicious way to enjoy your veggies, perfect for a snack, side dish, or appetizer that everyone will love.
Equipment
- 3 Shallow Bowls
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis about 1 lb total, cut into fry-shaped sticks
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese finely grated
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- cooking spray or olive oil in a spray bottle
- marinara sauce or ranch dressing for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchini: Trim the ends off the zucchinis. Cut each zucchini in half crosswise, then cut each half into 1/2-inch thick fry-like sticks. Pat the zucchini sticks completely dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step to help the coating adhere properly.
- Set up your breading station: Get three shallow bowls. Place the all-purpose flour in the first bowl. In the second bowl, beat the two eggs until uniform. In the third bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Dredge each zucchini stick: First, coat it lightly in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, press it firmly into the panko-parmesan mixture, ensuring it is evenly and thoroughly coated on all sides. Place the coated fry on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the coated zucchini fries in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Ensure they are not touching or overlapping to allow for proper air circulation and crisping. You will need to cook in batches.
- Lightly spray the tops of the fries with cooking spray. This will help them turn golden brown and crispy.
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, pausing halfway through to carefully flip the fries, until they are golden brown, crispy, and tender on the inside. No need to spray again after flipping.
- Remove the zucchini fries from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce like marinara or ranch dressing. They are best enjoyed fresh and hot.
Notes
🔹 Drying the zucchini thoroughly is the most important step to prevent a soggy coating.
🔹 For a gluten-free version, use almond flour and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
🔹 Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will steam the fries instead of crisping them.
🔹 For extra flavor, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture.
Nutrition
Calories: 215kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 12gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 580mgPotassium: 420mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 8mg
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