Air Fryer Zucchini is savory, crispy, delicious, and so simple to make! Seasoned with common pantry staples, this is a go-to side dish recipe you can rely on all year long. Vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, and keto.
This recipe was originally published on July 22, 2020. It was fully updated with a new recipe and recipe information on November 20, 2023.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my disclosure policy for details.
Table of contents
Air frying is such an easy, quick, and low-fuss alternative to deep frying and roasting that it is a hard one to pass up. Since buying my first air fryer, I use it multiple times a week to prepare meals. It’s perfect for this recipe, butternut squash, turkey burgers, egg rolls, Italian sausage, and more!!
Now that I’m a working mom, it simplifies my meal prep and makes meals so much easier to prepare. If you love air frying veggies, try my air fryer vegetables, air fryer broccolini, or air fryer portabellos to make mealtime a snap!
Whether you are looking for the perfect side dish or a healthy snack, this air fryer zucchini fries recipe is a delicious way to enjoy extra vegetables. It's flavorful, delicious, and family-friendly, too! So, bookmark or pin this vegetable next time you find yourself with the beloved veggie!
Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe
- Simple Ingredients. But big flavor. This recipe is made with just a handful of ingredients that are easy to find year-round!.
- Fresh. Highlight this fresh produce with the perfect blend of light seasonings to enhance the veggies without weighing them down.
- Year-round. Even though this recipe helps use up the extra loads of summer zucchini, it's delicious any time of year that you have the deep green squash on hand.
- Versatile. Serve this air-fried zucchini side dish alongside anything from a burger or brat to pasta bolognese and garlic bread! See additional serving suggestions below!
- Keto-friendly Side Dish. Zucchini is naturally low in carbohydrates making this recipe keto, low-carb, and perfect for anyone following a low-carb diet.
Recipe Ingredients
Air fryer zucchini chips are made with simple ingredients found at almost any grocery store.
- Zucchini - choose fresh zucchini that are small-to-medium in size (larger zucchini aren't as sweet and can be more spongy), have smooth skin, and dark green color.
- Olive oil - choose extra virgin olive oil if you can. Avocado oil also works in a pinch.
- Salt - brings out all the flavor in the air-fried zucchini chips and also helps express some of the moisture from the veggie. Choose sea salt if possible.
- Lemon juice - don't worry if you aren't into lemon flavor; the citrus juice functions to highlight the seasonings and sweetness of the zucchini without being overly lemony-flavored.
- Garlic seasoning mix - a simple homemade seasoning blend made with common pantry staples of dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. It's flavorful and versatile!
Want more air frying recipes? Check out my air fryer salmon bites, air fryer chicken bites, air fryer garlic bread, air fryer brussels sprouts, and more!
How to Cook Zucchini in the Air Fryer
Here’s a little highlight of the steps for making zucchini in the air fryer. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the ingredient measurements and the complete directions.
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F with the air fryer basket inserted. If you don’t have a preheat setting, allow the air fryer to run for 2-3 minutes to heat up.
Step 2: Toss together the zucchini slices, olive oil, salt, parsley garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika in a large bowl until combined.
Step 3: Add half of the zucchini to the preheated air fryer in a single layer. Air fry the zucchini chips for 9-11 minutes, tossing the zucchini every 3 minutes. It will be golden brown and crisp when it’s ready. Once the first batch is done, repeat this step with the remaining zucchini.
Step 4: Squeeze the lemon juice over the veggies and gently toss until combined. Serve piping hot!
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Cut the vegetables in uniform size so they cook evenly. I recommend ½-inch think half moons, or cutting it lengthwise and then crosswise into ½-inch thick pieces.
- Preheat the air fryer for 2-3 minutes before adding the vegetables. This helps the zucchini slices cook evenly and crisp up quickly!
- Don't overcrowd the basket. Though it may be tempting to add all the zucchini to the air fryer basket at once, you will want to restrain yourself. Overcrowding the air fryer basket results in soggy and wet zucchini. For the best results, cook the zucchini in two batches.
- Keep the first batch of air-fried vegetables warm in an oven preheated to 200 degrees while the second batch of zucchini chips air fry.
- Toss the veggies throughout the cooking time. This helps the vegetables cook evenly, ensuring that all of the veggies get nice and crisp.
- To double the recipe, simply double all of the ingredients and follow the recipe directions as listed, air frying the zucchini in 4 separate batches (to keep them from overcrowding in the air fryer and getting soggy).
Recipe Variations
- Squash: Have extra yellow or summer squash on hand? You can easily air fry summer squash! Cook up all squash or make a mixture of air fryer yellow squash and zucchini. Delicious!
- Zucchini Fries: Make crispy zucchini fries by cutting the zucchini into thick match-stick style pieces and tossing the vegetables with ½ cup of panko breadcrumbs along with the seasonings.
- ltalian: Substitute ¾ teaspoons of Italian seasoning and replace the lemon juice with balsamic vinegar. Optional: sprinkle the zucchini with parmesan cheese and/or red pepper chili flakes before serving.
- Greek: Sprinkle the zucchini with ½ teaspoon dried oregano + ¼ teaspoon dried thyme + ½ teaspoon garlic powder before air frying the zucchini. Toss the zucchini with red wine vinegar instead of lemon juice before serving. Optional: sprinkle the zucchini with crumbled feta.
- Herbes de Provence: Use ¾ teaspoon herbes de Provence seasoning instead of the recommended blend. Drizzle the zucchini with white wine vinegar before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Not sure how to serve this It’s great hot with almost any of your favorite proteins and a great side dish with almost any meal!
Meat: Enjoy it with grilled chicken thighs, flat iron steak, southwest chicken with black bean sauce, and more.
Pasta Dishes: Such as this Italian sausage and peppers pasta, baked Italian sausage pasta, or you can even add it on top of a simple bowl of pasta.
Fish: This versatile veggie is fantastic with bourbon glazed salmon, salmon bites, or sweet and sour shrimp.
Storage and Reheating Directions
- Refrigeration: Leftovers keep covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat the veggies in an air fryer preheated to 400 degrees for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. It can also be reheated in the microwave.
- Freezing: I do not recommend freezing the leftover zucchini as it will get mushy and soggy in the freezing and defrosting process.
FAQs
To prevent soggy zucchini, shake the zucchini throughout the cooking time, and don't overcrowd the air fryer. Shake the vegetables about every 3-4 minutes while as they cook, and add the zucchini to the air fryer in batches, allowing sufficient airflow around the chunks as they air fry.
Save this Recipe for Later on Pinterest
More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
- Air Fryer Italian Sausage
- Air Fryer Vegetables
- Air Fryer Portobello Mushrooms
- Frozen Broccoli in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Green Beans {+ Video!}
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Kale Chips
- Air Fryer Smashed Parmesan Potatoes
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash
More Zucchini Recipes
If you made and liked this recipe, don't forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it went for you in the comments! It always makes my day to hear from you!
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!
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
Tammy says
I made these with garlic pepper instead of plain. Also increased the air fryer temp to 400 to get crispy: great taste and ranch makes it perfect for appetizers. Thanks for the recipe 😊
Mae's Menu says
Thanks for popping in to leave such a nice review, Tammy! I'm so glad you liked them. 🙂
Dawna says
I have chopped up zucchini and onion and tossed it in olive oil and Greek seasoning. Then hubby has a pan with holes and it goes out on the grill. But I didn't think of the air fryer. ( there wasn't one 40 some years ago lol ) I love zucchini !
Mae's Menu says
Ooh, both sound delicious! It's amazing how many new opportunities we have with air fryers! Thanks for your comment and have a great day!
Best,
Chelsea
Anthony I Wilson says
If you are going to pre heat your oven to 200º why not simply cook all the zucchini in one batch in it?! Probably takes less time
Mae's Menu says
Hi Anthony,
Great question! Frying them in batches keeps them crisp and speeds up the air frying process, as crowding vegetables in the air frying basket can mean much longer cooking times and soggy vegetables.
Best,
Chelsea
Linda says
Preheating to 200, then increasing the temp again makes no sense. No wonder so many people have mushy results.
Mae's Menu says
Hi Linda,
Sorry to hear you weren't satisfied with the results. You will want to heat the oven to 200 degrees and the air fryer to 400 degrees. There is no need to increase the temperature throughout the cooking time. Hope this helps!
Best,
Chelsea
Megan says
Made this last night, it's so easy and a great way to use up all the zucchini my in-laws keep giving me. I did add a little bit of fresh rosemary and balsamic glaze after I air fried it and it was so good!
Mae's Menu says
oh that sounds so delicious, Megan! Thanks for sharing-- glad you liked it!
Chelsea
Heather says
I love how you shared how to make zucchini fries too in the post. Such a winner of a recipe!!
Mae's Menu says
Thanks so much, Heather! So glad that you liked it. 🙂
Ashley Schuering says
So yummy and easy! Plus, I love how customizable it is — you give so many delicious seasoning options! This will definitely be in our rotation whenever we have summer squash on hand. <3 Thank you!
Lyn says
Made this for dinner last night with the spicy Italian seasoning and it cooked up perfectly in my air fryer. I like that it had nice little browned edges and was perfectly tender. Can't wait to try it with some of your other flavor recommendations and even with summer squash! Thanks.
Frances says
We are still getting some late season zucchini in our produce box and I really love the flavor combo for this air fryer zucchini! Absolutely a home run of a side dish with some roast chicken we had. Thanks for this recipe!
Mackenzie says
Your Air Fryer Zucchini recipe is a total winner! I've been looking for a way. to use them up without heating up the oven. I used the Italian seasoning blend and the zucchinis came out so flavorful. This has become a go-to snack. Thank you for sharing this fantastic recipe!
pHqghUme says
1