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?

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,

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees for 4-5 minutes.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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?

• Cutting board
• Chef knife
• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Silicone spatula
• Air fryer

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

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