With just 4 ingredients, these Air Fryer Zucchini are easy to make, crispy, and delicious! They're also vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, and keto.

A simple ingredient list lets seasonal ingredients shine in this Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe. This recipe is perfect as a side dish but also serves up nicely as a light appetizer. Summer zucchini is perfect for this recipe but year-round zucchini finds are great for this dish, too!
Today I'm sharing a recipe with you that I can't believe I haven't shared yet.
I've been making this air fryer zucchini probably since the second week I got my air fryer.
Crispy and tender, juicy, and full of great flavor, this easy zucchini recipe ends up on our table at least 1-2 times/month. It's perfect with salmon, steak, a tater tot casserole, and pretty much anything else we have for dinner.
It's pretty much made for easy and healthy dinners.
And not only that, but in these warm summer months it's been a great way to enjoy some fresh summer vegetables without warming up the kitchen.
Is there really any other summer dinner victory worth writing about?! It's a constant dinnertime preoccupation for me on these hot days.
But maybe there is another summer dinner victory: using up the armloads of fresh produce I somehow always find myself with this time of year.
Not that I'm complaining-- it's one of the most exciting food times of the year. When else are the veggies so delicious, fresh, and beautiful while also being affordable and accessible? I don't know of much else that is better in this culinary world.
So, whether you get your zucchini from the farmer's market, a friend, the grocery store, or your backyard, I hope this zucchini reminds you of the bounties and blessings of this season -- especially given the year we've had-- and the change of perspective that happens when we stop to appreciate all the simple blessings right there on the plates before us.
These Air Fryer Zucchini are...
- Crispy
- Flavorful
- Fresh
- Clean
- Keto
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- A great way to enjoy veggies
- A versatile side dish
- A light appetizer
- Surprisingly delicious
It's hard to go wrong with this recipe. If you're looking for a summer side dish or for a new way to eat up all your extra zucchini, or just looking to switch up your family's menu, this recipe is for you!
Recipe ingredients:
The ingredient list for this recipe is short, as we are going to let zucchini be the star of the show! The remaining ingredients just complement or showcase the summer vegetable's flavor.
- Zucchini
- Olive oil -- extra virgin is preferable, as it adds the best flavor, but regular olive oil works fine here, too.
- Salt
- Lemon juice -- you can use 2 lemon slices or 1.5 teaspoons bottled lemon juice for this recipe.
Recipe substitutions:
Lemon juice -- balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar can work in place of the lemon juice
Oil -- you can also use avocado oil or refined coconut oil instead of olive oil.
What type of zucchini are best for this recipe?
The fresher, the better for this recipe so you want fresh dark green zucchini with smooth skin. I often find that smaller zucchini are more tender and fit this profile better, but you can also use medium or large-size zucchini if they're tender and fresh, too!
Is this recipe keto, low-carb, vegan, gluten-free, or paleo?
Yes, this recipe is keto, low-carb, vegan, gluten-free, and paleo! It's just the zucchini, olive oil, a touch of salt, and lemon juice, making it a healthy clean food to enjoy.
Can you also roast or bake this zucchini?
Yes, you can also roast or bake the zucchini, though they won't be as crisp as they are when air fried.
To roast, just toss the vegetables with the oil and salt as the recipe directs. Roast the zucchini at 425 for 18-22 minutes, flipping the zucchini halfway through, or until the zucchini is golden brown and cooked to your desired level of doneness.
How do air fryers work?
Air fryers work by quickly circulating hot air. This process mimics deep frying because the hot air crisps up the outside of the food or vegetables you are cooking. Because it uses hot air to crisp instead of oil, the results are usually healthier and lower in fat.
Some of my favorite things to air fry are smashed potatoes, steaks, green beans, salmon, and -- of course -- zucchini!
What air fryers are best for this recipe?
You can use the air fryer of your choice, as long as it has a basket or tray you can remove from the fryer and shake throughout cooking.
If you're interested in a particular brand of air fryer, my personal favorite brand of air fryer is the Ninja Foodi brand, but I've also heard great things about the Cosori brand air fryer!
How to make this air fryer zucchini:
Not only is this recipe made only with 4 ingredients, but it's also made in just four steps! Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the ingredient measurements,
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees for 4-5 minutes.
- In a medium-size mixing bowl, toss together the zucchini and olive oil until the zucchini is evenly coated in the oil. Sprinkle the salt on and toss the zucchini again until the salt is evenly distributed.
- Add the zucchini to the preheated air fryer and air fry for 18-22 minutes, tossing the zucchini every 4 minutes, or until the zucchini is fried to your preferred level of doneness. I like mine super crispy and golden and usually roast for 20-22 minutes.
- Squeeze the lemon juice over the zucchini, season the vegetables with extra salt if needed, and serve hot!
How much air fryer zucchini does this recipe make?
Though the recipe starts out with 6-7 cups raw zucchini, the zucchini does cook down as it air fries, yielding about 2-2.5 cups air fried zucchini. This makes about 4, half-cup servings.
Can you double or triple this recipe?
You can double or triple this recipe, but you'll want to cook each batch separately, as not to overcrowd your air fryer.
Tips for air frying success:
- Cut your vegetables in uniform size so they cook evenly. I recommend ⅛" thick coins if using small zucchini and ⅛" thick half coins if using large zucchini.
- Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes before adding the vegetables.
- Evenly season the zucchini with the oil and seasonings by thoroughly tossing them together before adding them to the air fryer basket.
- Ensure that the vegetables air fry evenly by tossing them in the air fryer basket every 4 minutes throughout the cooking time.
What seasoning blends can you use on this zucchini?
You can also toss in other seasoning blends into the zucchini with your salt. ½ teaspoon of any of the following spice blends would be delicious:
- Greek seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Herbs De Provence
- All-purpose spice blend
Or, add some cheesiness to your zucchini by sprinkling them with 1.5-2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese before serving!
What tools do you need to make this recipe?
How do you serve this zucchini?
This zucchini can be served as a side dish or appetizer!
As a side dish, serve it with:
- Grilled Chicken or salmon
- Turkey Sloppy Joes
- Burgers, Turkey Burgers, or veggie burgers
- Grilled steak
- Baked salmon
- Stuffed baked potatoes
- Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes
As an appetizer, serve it with the following dips:
- Avocado or chipotle ranch dressing
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Greek salad dressing
- Green goddess salad dressing
- Miso Maple Vinaigrette
- Curry Hummus
More air fryer recipes:
- Air Fryer Vegetables
- Air Fryer Green Beans {+ Video!}
- Air Fryer Tater Tots
- Air Fryer Potato Skins
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Egg Rolls
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Kale Chips
- Air Fryer Smashed Parmesan Potatoes
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash
More zucchini recipes:
- Zucchini Lasagna
- Gluten-free Zucchini Bread
- Sauteed Zucchini & Yellow Squash with Herbed Parmesan Cheese
If you make and like this recipe, please review and rate it 5-stars at the top of the recipe card. This helps other people to find the recipes and helps this reader-supported publication, too!
Thank you so much for your feedback and support of Mae's Menu!
Air-Fryer Zucchini (Low-Carb + Keto!)
With just 4 ingredients, these Air Fryer Zucchini are easy to make, crispy, and delicious! They're also vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, and keto!
Preheat your air fryer before you start frying and roast your zucchini to your preferred level of doneness. See my notes below for other seasoning combinations you can also air fry your zucchini with.
Ingredients
- 6-7 cups zucchini (or about 6 small zucchini or 3 large zucchini), sliced into ⅛" thick coins; slice into half-coins if using large zucchini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 lemon slices (or 1.5 teaspoons lemon juice)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees for 4-5 minutes.
- In a medium-size mixing bowl, toss together the zucchini and olive oil until the zucchini is evenly coated in the oil. Sprinkle the salt on and toss the zucchini again until the salt is evenly distributed.
- Add the zucchini to the preheated air fryer and air fry for 18-22 minutes, tossing the zucchini every 4 minutes, or until the zucchini is fried to your preferred level of doneness. I like mine super crispy and golden and usually roast for 20-22 minutes.
- Squeeze the lemon juice over the zucchini, season the vegetables with extra salt if needed, and serve hot!
Notes
Leftover zucchini will last covered in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. I do not recommend freezing it.
You can also toss in other seasoning blends into the zucchini with your salt. ½ teaspoon of any of the following spice blends would be delicious:
- Greek seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Herbs De Provence
- All-purpose spice blend
The fresher the zucchini, the better this dish will taste! Tender & small zucchini are my favorite for this recipe, but medium or large size zucchini also work.
You can double or triple this recipe, but you'll want to cook each batch separately, as not to overcrowd your air fryer.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 88Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 0mgSodium 144mgCarbohydrates 11gFiber 4gSugar 7gProtein 4g
This nutrition breakdown is just an estimate of the nutritional value of this recipe and cannot be taken as facts. The owners of Mae's Menu are not nutritionists or dieticians and therefore cannot be held accountable for this nutrition estimate. Please contact your nutritionist or medical professional for a nutritional breakdown of this food. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Carol says
What Air Frier is this?
Mae's Menu says
Hi Carol, This air fryer is the Ninja Foodi Tendercrisp 8 quart option. I believe I have it linked in the "tools needed for this recipe section). I love mine!
Carol says
Fryer, sorry.
Joe says
Yields what? Cups, ounces, or what?
Joe says
Yields what? Cups, ounces, or what?Loved your bean salad. Please let us know what yield is equal too in measures. Thanks, Mae.
Mae's Menu says
Hi, Joe! For some reason, I never got notified of your comment. I'm just seeing it now as I was reviewing the post.
This recipe yields 2 cups of air fryer zucchini.
Hope that helps!
Tara says
I made this recipe as directed. After 20 minutes the zucchini had turned to mush. Should I sweat the zucchini first?
I’m really disappointed.
Mae's Menu says
Hi Tara,
I'm so sorry to hear you had this experience. I've made this recipe 20+ times and have never had that happen. You shouldn't need to sweat the zucchini before adding it to the air fryer. Did you use the full amount of salt and shake the zucchini frequently throughout cooking? When I cook the zucchini it naturally sweats off the moisture and crisps up evenly as I shake it as it cooks. Please let me know your experience and I'd be happy to help troubleshoot further. Thank you!
Kelly says
Same here!! I tried making them two different times. the first time I just let them sit in there for 20 minutes and then the second time I tossed them every few minutes and they’re still mushy. Have you figured out how to crisp them up?
Mae's Menu says
Hi Kelly,
Thank you for your comment! Does your air fryer have room for the air to circulate around the zucchini? They will need to not be packed in -- rather have lots of exposure to the hot air -- to crisp up and not get soggy. If you can, test out cooking them in two different batches (tossing them every few minutes), and let me know how that goes.
Thank you!
Chelsea
Pam says
My air fryer does not have a basket but instead racks. Should I turn the zucchini half way through the time
Mae's Menu says
Hi, Pam --
Yes, you can turn them halfway through. You may also want to cut your zucchini into thicker slices so they don't easily fall through the racks.
Hope this helps!
Chelsea
Pamela G Cameron says
I have a LARGE zucchini I'd like to try. Do the slices have to be single layer or can they over lap a bit? Would you recommend cutting large slices in half or quarters? As my basked is about 8 1/2" I think it may take a few batches. Also, thinking of making a zucchini parmesan bake from the finished product. Should the slices be firm and not soft? Soft is what we're hoping to avoid. Thank you. Love trying new things in my airfryer.
Mae's Menu says
Hi Pamela,
Thanks for your comment. Your zucchini can overlap as long as you shake the zucchini throughout cooking (as directed). The zucchini will cook down as it air fries, but you do want to make sure there is room for the hot air to circulate around the zucchini so it cooks up evenly and doesn't get soggy.
The end result should be zucchini that's crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Hope this helps!
Best,
Chelsea
michael holcombe says
As directed... Mushy and starts to burn before even twenty minutes... tasty but mushy and burnt.
Barbara T says
I tried this recipe, shook the zucchini every 5 minutes, and cooked them for 25 ,minutes. Not at all crispy. I used seasoned salt, though, and not plain salt. Would that make a difference?
Thanks.
Mae's Menu says
Hi, Barbara! Thanks for your feedback. How large did you cut the zucchini chunks? That can make a difference. Also, do you have an air fryer with a basket or a tray?
Thank you!
Chelsea