Love crispy baked zucchini however detest turning in your oven within the peak of summer season warmth? Make this Air Fryer Zucchini as a substitute!
Items of zucchini tossed in a light-weight Parmesan and panko breadcrumb coating, then air fried till crispy outdoors and tender inside, air fried zucchini is the decrease upkeep cousin of Zucchini Fries.
If you’re trying to cook dinner greens with maximal crunch enchantment in a wholesome method, the air fryer is the equipment for the job.
One of many causes I like making zucchini (except for the apparent—we now have a boatload of it), is that it requires little or no prep work in comparison with different greens.
For instance, to make Roasted Zucchini or Grilled Zucchini, it’s as straightforward as reducing the zucchini into spears.
To proceed the simple zucchini trajectory, reasonably than make air fried zucchini chips—which, whereas yummy, take longer to slice and must be cooked in smaller batches—I opted to chop the zucchini into bite-sized items as a substitute.
It takes much less time to prep the zucchini this manner, and you may get away with including extra to the air fryer basket at a time.
Outcome: extra crispy zucchini in much less time.
I like this math.
How you can Air Fry Zucchini
Zucchini is fairly bland by itself, which makes it versatile.
It additionally means seasoning is essential.
- For the breading, I used a mix of onion powder, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.
- Since this recipe may be very mild and wholesome, getting ready it as air fryer zucchini Parmesan makes it extra satisfying.
Be at liberty so as to add cayenne to make it spicy, or swap the Parmesan for dietary yeast (or omit it) to make air fried zucchini vegan.
Keep away from Overcooking
Air fryer zucchini time will range primarily based in your mannequin. Plan on 7 to 9 minutes at 400 levels F, and test early to be protected.
Observe that the zucchini will nonetheless be al dente when it’s completed. For those who proceed cooking till the zucchini is totally tender, it is going to style soggy.
The Components
- Zucchini. The inexperienced bounty of summer season produce turns into addictively crispy and flavorful within the air fryer. It’s wholesome, tender, and a crowd-pleaser! Zucchini is filled with fiber and antioxidants.
- Olive Oil. Helps the zucchini crisp and retains it from burning.
- Panko. Offers the zucchini a deliciously crisp exterior.
- Flour. A coating of flour helps the breadcrumbs stick and makes the zucchini style prefer it’s fried. You need to use white complete wheat flour or all-purpose flour.
- Parmesan. A small handful of Parmesan provides a delicious salty, cheesiness.
- Spices. A easy mixture of salt, onion powder, and black pepper are all these zucchini items want.
The Instructions
- Trim and reduce the zucchini, then add it to a mixing bowl.
- Toss the zucchini with oil.
- Stir within the panko, Parmesan, flour, and spices. Toss to coat.
- Add half of the zucchini to an air fryer.
- Air fry zucchini at 400 levels F for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking the basket sometimes. Take away to a serving plate. Repeat with the remaining zucchini. ENJOY!
Storage Ideas
- To Retailer. Refrigerate zucchini in an hermetic storage container for as much as 4 days.
- To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet within the oven at 350 levels F or within the air fryer.
- To Freeze. I don’t advocate freezing zucchini, because it turns into soggy as soon as thawed. For those who insist, you may freeze zucchini in an hermetic freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Meal Prep Tip
As much as 1 day upfront, trim and reduce the zucchini as directed. Refrigerate it in an hermetic storage container till you’re prepared to complete the recipe.
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 nicely with Broiled Salmon, Garlic Butter Shrimp, or Grilled Cod.
- Pasta. Get pleasure from Instant Pot Spaghetti, Pasta Primavera, or Shrimp Ravioli with zucchini.
- Casserole. Serve air fried zucchini as a facet 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.
Beneficial Instruments to Make this Recipe
Further-Massive Air Fryer
That is the air fryer mannequin I personal and love! It has an extra-large basket, which means you may cook dinner extra without delay.
With this crispy and crunch, in case you have some additional zucchini, I’ll take a bunch!
Often Requested Questions
In case your air fryer zucchini seems soggy, it’s doubtless as a result of it was overcooked otherwise you used an excessive amount of oil. Ensure to observe the cook dinner instances and oil quantity listed within the recipe to make sure you find yourself with crisp-tender zucchini as a substitute of soggy.
Sure, you may make this recipe gluten free. Swap the common flour for a 1:1 gluten free flour and the panko for gluten free panko (like this one).
- 3 small/medium zucchini about 1 1/4 kilos
- 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese for a vegan model, use dietary yeast
- 1 tablespoon white complete wheat flour or all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon floor black pepper
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For those who’d prefer to preserve the zucchini heat between batches, preheat the oven to 200 levels F. Trim off the ends of the zucchini and reduce into quarters length-wise. Place every quarter in opposition to the reducing board, flat facet down, then reduce crosswise into 3/4-inch thick half-moons so that you’ve got chunks which can be about 3/4 inch in measurement every. Place in a big mixing bowl.
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Drizzle the zucchini with the oil. Toss to coat.
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In a separate bowl, stir collectively the panko, Parmesan, flour, salt, onion powder, and pepper. Sprinkle over the zucchini, then toss to coat the zucchini as evenly as doable.
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Preheat the air fryer to 400 levels F. Place half of the zucchini within the air fryer basket in a fair layer (no must coat it with nonstick spray).
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Air fry zucchini for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking a couple of instances all through, till the breadcrumbs are golden and the zucchini is tender however not mushy. Switch to a serving plate or a parchment-lined baking sheet if holding heat within the oven. Repeat with remaining zucchini.
- Recipe tailored from my Zucchini Fries.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate zucchini in an hermetic storage container for as much as 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet within the oven at 350 levels F or within the air fryer.
- TO FREEZE: I don’t advocate freezing zucchini, because it turns into soggy as soon as thawed. For those who insist, you may freeze zucchini in an hermetic freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Serving: 1(of 4)Energy: 99kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 3gFats: 7gSaturated Fats: 1gPolyunsaturated Fats: 1gMonounsaturated Fats: 4gLdl cholesterol: 2mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 199IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 1mg
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