Air-Fryer Zucchini
This air fryer zucchini is tender, golden at the edges, and seasoned with a simple garlic spice blend — no breading, vegan, gluten-free, and ready in 15 minutes. The easiest low-carb side dish you'll make all week.
Ingredients
- 6 –7 cups zucchini about 6 small or 3 large, sliced into ½-inch half moons
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch of red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- With the basket inserted, preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2–3 minutes.
- In a large bowl, toss the zucchini with the olive oil, salt, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using) until evenly coated.
- Add the zucchini to the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches as needed. Air fry for 9–11 minutes, tossing every 3 minutes, until golden at the edges and tender.
- Squeeze the lemon juice over the zucchini and toss gently. Taste and season with extra salt if needed. Serve hot.
Notes
- Small zucchini is best — sweeter, less watery, and better texture. For large zucchini, salt and pat dry before cooking to remove excess moisture.
- Batch cooking: If your basket isn't large enough to fit everything in a single layer, cook in two batches. To keep the first batch warm while the second cooks, place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a 200°F oven.
- Zucchini and squash combo: substitute half or all of the zucchini with yellow summer squash cut to the same size.
- Doubling: double all ingredients and cook in batches as needed, keeping finished batches warm in a 200°F oven.
- Storage: refrigerate in an airtight container for 4–5 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 400°F for 2–3 minutes. Not recommended for freezing.
- Alternate seasoning blends (keep the ½ tsp salt):
- Italian: ¾ tsp Italian seasoning, finish with balsamic vinegar
- Greek: ½ tsp oregano + ¼ tsp thyme + ½ tsp garlic powder, finish with red wine vinegar
- Herbes de Provence: ¾ tsp herbes de Provence, finish with white wine vinegar
- Spicy Italian: ¾ tsp Italian seasoning + ¼ tsp garlic powder + ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, finish with balsamic vinegar
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 88kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 4gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 144mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7g
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