The exact cook time can vary. Read below for our tips!
If you need to use up some zucchini and are looking for a new recipe, you should try making air fryer stuffed zucchini!
These zucchini boats, as you might call them, are stuffed with cheese, bacon, panko breadcrumbs, tomato sauce, and a few different spices.
The great thing is that it is super easy to change the filling depending on your preferences and what you have on hand.
These stuffed zucchini make a great dinner option – and only take 20 minutes!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this recipe:
- Zucchini – Two firm medium to large zucchini.
- Grated cheddar – Or other grated cheese of your choice, such as mozzarella or marble.
- Bacon – Optional addition for the filling; Skip for a vegetarian version.
- Tomato passata – Adds a tomato flavor to the filling. You can also use tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes instead.
- Panko – Adds crunch and texture to the stuffing. If you don’t have panko, you can also use regular breadcrumbs (seasoned or unseasoned, depending on your preference).
- Salt – Enhances the overall flavor; adjust to taste.
- Granulated garlic – Or garlic powder; adds extra flavor to the stuffing.
- Pepper – We use black pepper, but you can also use white pepper. Adds a hint of spice.
- Ground coriander – Optional addition to the filling. Skip if you don’t like the taste.
- Olive oil – For brushing or spraying the air fryer basket.
- Parsley – Optional for garnish; You can also use any other fresh chopped herbs of your choice.
Recipe Tips
- Use firm, fresh zucchini that are roughly the same size. Avoid small zucchini as they are more difficult to stuff, but make sure they will fit in your air fryer.
- Be careful when scooping out the center of the zucchini halves so you don’t poke holes in the skin.
- Customize the filling to your liking. If you’re adding meat (e.g. sausage or ground beef) or rice, quinoa, or the like, precook them first.
- If you’re adding bacon and want it to be very crispy, precook it slightly before adding it to the filling.
- If you can’t fit all the zucchini halves in your air fryer, cook in batches.
- The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size of the zucchini, the filling, your air fryer, and personal preference. You can use a fork to check if the zucchini are tender.
Step by Step Instructions
If you’d like to follow along with the recipe process photo, this section is for you.
You can see just how we make these air-fried stuffed zucchini boats – or you can scroll down to the bottom of this post for detailed recipe card without visuals.
Start by preheating the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or until it indicates that it is preheated.
While you wait for the air fryer to get hot, wash the zucchini and slice them in half lengthwise. Then use a spoon to hollow out the center of each zucchini half.
In a bowl, combine the bacon, salt, garlic, black pepper, ground coriander (optional), passata (or tomato sauce), panko, and most of the cheese.
Remember to reserve some of the cheese for later (you’ll use it as a topping).
Next, spoon the stuffing into the hollowed-out zucchini halves.
Then spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil and add the zucchini in one even layer.
Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8-10 minutes, or until the stuffed zucchini are tender.
Then sprinkle the remaining cheese over the zucchini and cook for another 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size of the zucchini, your air fryer, and personal preference.
Serve the stuffed zucchini while they are warm, garnished with fresh parsley or herbs of your choice (optional).
You can also serve these stuffed zucchini boats with a grain such as rice, couscous, or bulgur for a more filling meal.
Storage Tips
If you have leftover stuffed zucchini, let them cool and then place them in a sealed container (or wrapped in foil) and store them in the fridge.
They will keep for up to 3 to 4 days – and they reheat nicely in the air fryer at a low temperature like 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
The microwave will also work but don’t expect the zucchini to get crispy again.
Related Recipes
Here are some other air fryer recipes for things that have been “stuffed” – from vegetables to chicken:
- Air Fryer Stuffed Tomatoes
- Air Fried Stuffed Eggplant
- Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breasts
- Mushrooms (Stuffed) in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
Air Fryer Stuffed Zucchini
Ingredients
- 2 medium to large zucchini
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/3 cup bacon, chopped
- 5 tablespoons tomato passata
- 3 tablespoons panko
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/3 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander, ground (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or until it indicates that it is preheated.
- In the meantime, wash the zucchini and cut them in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to hollow out the center of each zucchini half carefully.2 medium to large zucchini
- In a bowl, combine the bacon, salt, garlic, black pepper, ground coriander (optional), tomato passata, panko, and most of the cheese. Reserve some of the cheese as a topping for later.1/2 cup cheddar cheese, 1/3 cup bacon, 5 tablespoons tomato passata, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic, 1/3 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon coriander, 3 tablespoons panko
- Spoon the mixture into the hollowed-out zucchini halves.
- Spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil and add the zucchini in one layer.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8-10 minutes, or until the stuffed zucchini are tender (you can test this with a fork).
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the zucchini and cook for another 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size of the zucchini, your air fryer, and personal preference.
- Serve the stuffed zucchini while they are warm, garnished with fresh parsley or herbs of choice (optional).chopped parsley for serving
Notes
- Use firm, fresh zucchini that are roughly the same size. Avoid small zucchini since they are more difficult to stuff, but make sure they will fit in your air fryer.
- The amount of filling you need can vary depending on the size of the zucchini.
- Adjust the filling to your personal preference. If adding meat (e.g. sausage or ground beef) or rice, quinoa or similar, precook them first.
- If you’re adding bacon and want it very crispy, precook it slightly before adding it to the filling.
- If you can’t fit all the zucchini halves in your air fryer, cook in batches.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
