Air fryer zucchini fries are a light and crispy snack or appetizer full of flavor!
Made with freshly cut zucchini and breaded in a classic flour-egg-breadcrumbs combination, these tasty zucchini sticks are crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Ingredients
- Zucchini – Two medium zucchini without soft spots.
- All-purpose flour – For breading the zucchini.
- Eggs – For breading the zucchini.
- Breadcrumbs – We use unseasoned breadcrumbs, but you can also use seasoned breadcrumbs (e.g. Italian-style) if you prefer.
- Salt – To enhance the overall flavor; adjust to taste.
- Black pepper – For a hint of spice.
- Garlic powder – For extra flavor.
- Onion powder – For extra flavor.
- Parmesan cheese – Optional; use freshly grated parmigiano reggiano or grana padano for the best taste.
- Oil spray – Optional, but recommended for extra crispiness.
Recipe Tips
- Cut the zucchini fries into roughly the same size so they will be done cooking at the same time.
- We use unseasoned breadcrumbs for this recipe. If you prefer seasoned breadcrumbs or panko, you can also use that.
- If you’re adding Parmesan cheese and it is quite salty, you can reduce the amount of salt you put in the breading mix.
- When breading the zucchini fries, it can be easier to use a fork to coat the zucchini in the egg and breadcrumbs. This helps to avoid messy fingertips!
- For extra crispiness, lightly spray the zucchini fries with oil spray before cooking them in the air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. There should be some space between the zucchini fries or they may not cook and crisp evenly.
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Step by Step Instructions
If you’ve never made zucchini in the air fryer, you can check out the step-by-step visuals in this section.
In case you’re not a fan of visuals, feel free to skip to the recipe card at the end of the post!
First, rinse and dry the zucchini. Cut off the ends and cut the zucchini in half. Now cut these pieces in half lengthwise, then cut them into fries.
Try to cut the zucchini sticks about the same size so they will be done cooking at the same time.
Next, set up the “breading station” by placing the flour on one plate, the cracked and whisked eggs on another, and the breadcrumbs on the third.
Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to the plate with the breadcrumbs and mix until well combined. You can also mix in finely grated parmesan cheese (optional).
Take a zucchini fry and roll it in the flour until it is covered on all sides.
Then lift the fry, dip it in the egg wash, and turn until it is coated on all sides. Allow the excess egg to drip off.
Next, place the zucchini fry on the plate with the breadcrumbs. Press the zucchini down lightly, then turn the fry until it is fully coated in breadcrumbs. Don’t forget to coat the ends!
Place the zucchini fry on a clean, dry plate and repeat these steps until all the zucchini pieces are breaded.
Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. While you are waiting, lightly spray the breaded zucchini fries with oil spray for extra crispiness (optional).
Once hot, place approximately half of the zucchini fries into the air fryer. There should be some space between them so they can cook and crisp up evenly.
Cook the zucchini fries at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for another 6 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Since every air fryer is slightly different, your cooking time can vary.
Remove the zucchini fries from the air fryer and cook the second batch (if applicable). Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Storage Tips
Air-fried zucchini sticks taste best when they are hot and fresh out of the air fryer. Once they cool, they tend to get soggy. You can definitely still eat them, but they won’t be as good as when they’re fresh.
If you have leftovers, store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer to bring back some of the crispiness.
Related Recipes
Here are some other air fryer vegetable recipes you may enjoy as well:
- Breaded Air Fried Avocado Fries
- Air Fried Eggplant Fries
- Parsnip Fries Air Fried
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fried Asparagus Fries
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs, unseasoned
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated (optional)
- oil spray, optional
Instructions
- Rinse and dry the zucchini. Cut off the ends, then cut them in half. Now cut these pieces in half lengthwise, then cut again lengthwise into thirds or quarters to give them a fry shape.2 medium zucchini
- Set up the "breading station" by placing flour on one plate, cracked and whisked eggs on another, and breadcrumbs on the third plate.1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs, 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to the plate with the breadcrumbs and mix well. You can also add finely grated parmesan cheese if you like.1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- Roll one zucchini fry in the flour until it is fully covered. Then coat the zucchini in the egg and turn until it is coated on all sides. Let the extra egg drip off. Place the zucchini fry on the plate with the breadcrumbs. Press down lightly, then turn it until it is fully coated with breadcrumbs. Don't forget to coat the ends! Place the zucchini on a clean plate and repeat these steps until all the zucchini pieces are breaded.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. While you wait, lightly spray the breaded zucchini fries with oil spray for extra crispiness (optional).oil spray
- Place approximately half of the zucchini fries in the preheated air fryer. There should be some space between them so they cook and crisp evenly.
- Cook the zucchini fries at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 minutes, then flip, spray with more oil spray (optional) and cook for another 6 minutes or until golden brown. Since every air fryer is slightly different, your cooking time can vary.
- Remove the fries from the air fryer and cook the second batch if applicable. Serve the fries with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Cut the zucchini fries into roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
- We use unseasoned breadcrumbs for this recipe. If you prefer seasoned breadcrumbs or panko, you can also use that. Adjust the spices you add accordingly.
- If you’re using parmesan cheese and it is very salty, feel free to reduce the salt you add to the breadcrumbs.
- When breading the fries, it helps to clean and dry your hands every few fries, or else the egg and breadcrumbs build up on your fingertips. One way to reduce the mess is to use forks to roll the zucchini fries in the egg and breadcrumbs.
- Our air fryer is a 6-quart capacity so we cook this amount of zucchini fries in two 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.
This recipe was first published in April 2021 and updated in July 2024.
