If you’ve ever been hesitant about zucchini, this crispy air fryer zucchini fries recipe will absolutely win you over! Even zucchini haters in my household reach for seconds when these golden brown fries hit the table. They’re crunchy, flavorful, and make a delicious appetizer or perfect side dish for any meal.
Using an air fryer is my favorite way to achieve a crispy coating with less oil and less mess. Pair these zucchini fries with creamy garlic aioli, ranch dressing, or marinara sauce for dipping, and you’ll have a new favorite healthy snack or game day treat that everyone will love.
An up close plate of battered and fried zucchini fries on a white plate with aioli.
Table of Contents
The Best Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Ingredients Needed for Zucchini Fries
Steps to Make Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
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The Best Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
What makes these zucchini fries so addictive? It’s all about that crispy coating and fresh zucchini. Here’s why you’ll adore this easy recipe:
Simple Ingredients: Everything needed for these fries can easily be found at your local grocery store or farmer’s market.
Quick and Easy: Prep and cook these zucchini fries in under 40 minutes, making it ideal even for busy weeknights.
Healthier Alternative: Air frying gives you the crispy texture of deep frying but with significantly less oil.
Versatile & Customizable: Easily make these gluten-free or keto-friendly by swapping out breadcrumbs for almond flour or nutritional yeast.
Ingredients sitting on a counter in white bowls such as zucchinis, bread crumbs, panko, eggs, lemon, and seasonings.
Ingredients Needed for Zucchini Fries
Fresh Zucchini: Pick medium to large zucchini for ideal tender zucchini fries. Yellow squash can also be used if desired.
All-Purpose Flour: Helps the breading stick to the zucchini.
Italian Seasoning: Adds delicious flavor to the crispy coating.
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning zucchini fries.
Eggs: The egg wash ensures that your breadcrumb mixture adheres perfectly.
Plain and Panko Breadcrumbs: Combining regular breadcrumbs with panko breadcrumbs gives an unbeatable crispy texture.
Parmesan Cheese: Elevates the flavor and enhances the crunch.
Cooking Oil Spray: Ensures your fries get crispy without using too much oil.
Garlic Aioli Ingredients
Fresh Garlic: Provides a deliciously bold flavor.
Lemon or Lime Juice: Brightens the aioli and complements the garlic perfectly.
Dijon Mustard: Adds tanginess and depth.
Mayonnaise: Makes the aioli creamy and rich.
Steps to Make Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Prep Zucchini: Slice zucchini into 3-inch long, ½-inch thick fries. Use a paper towel to pat dry and remove excess moisture.
Set Up Dredging Station: Prepare three shallow bowls—one with flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; one with beaten eggs; and one with a mixture of breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.
Coat Zucchini Fries: Dredge each zucchini slice in flour, then the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off, and finally roll in the breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly.
Series of photos show zucchini being sliced into fries, then 3 bowls for the batter process, then finally a pan of prepared zucchini fries ready to air fry.
Air Frying: Spray your air fryer basket lightly with cooking oil spray and preheat it to 400 degrees F. Place zucchini fries in a single layer, cooking in smaller batches if necessary depending on the size of your air fryer. Spray the tops lightly with cooking oil and air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.
Make Garlic Aioli: While fries are cooking, mix garlic, lemon or lime juice, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Whisk in mayonnaise until smooth and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Two pictures showing Zucchini fries before and after being air fried in the air fryer basket.
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour, nutritional yeast and/or gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
Extra Seasoning: Add garlic powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture for additional flavor.
Different Vegetables: This method also works wonderfully for air fryer cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, or even zucchini boats.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent zucchini fries from getting soggy?
Can I make zucchini fries without eggs?
What’s the best way to reheat zucchini fries?
How to Store Zucchini Fries
Refrigerate: Store leftover zucchini fries in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Place fries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
An overhead view of a plate of battered and fried zucchini fries on a white plate with aioli.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
If you loved these zucchini fries, be sure to check out these other delicious air fryer recipes:
Air Fryer Carrots
Cilantro Lime Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Green Beans
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Air Fryer Lemon Cod
Enjoy your crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries as a delicious appetizer, snack, or tasty side dish any day of the week! Don’t forget to leave a review below and let us know how they turned out!
A plate of battered and fried zucchini fries on a white plate with aioli.
5 from 1 vote
Easy and Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
By Katie G.
Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries made with parmesan and breadcrumbs—ready in just 40 minutes and perfect for snacking or dipping.
Prep: 10minutes minsCook: 30minutes minsTotal: 40minutes minsServings: 4 people
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Ingredients
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▢2 medium zucchini
▢⅓ cup all-purpose flour
▢1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
▢1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
▢½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
▢2 large eggs
▢½ cup plain bread crumbs
▢½ cup Panko bread crumbs
▢⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
▢Cooking oil spray, for cooking
Garlic Aioli:
▢4-5 cloves garlic, minced
▢1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice
▢½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
▢⅔ cup mayonnaise
▢Kosher salt, to taste
▢Black pepper, to taste
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Instructions
Slice the zucchini into 3-inch long, ½-inch thick “fries” and set aside.
To one shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, lightly whisk the eggs. In a third shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
Dredge each zucchini fry in flour, then egg, allowing the excess to drip off. Roll in the breadcrumb mixture, coating completely, and set on a plate.
Spray the inner basket of your air fryer with cooking oil spray, then preheat to 400 degrees.
Working in batches, place the zucchini fries in a single layer in the air fryer. Spray the tops of the fries lightly with cooking oil. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown and crispy. Season with kosher salt while warm.
While the fries are cooking, make the aioli. In a small bowl, stir the garlic, lemon or lime juice, and Dijon mustard together until combined. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes.
Whisk in mayonnaise until smooth, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with the cooked zucchini fries.
Notes
For the crispiest zucchini fries, pat the zucchini dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture before breading.
Always preheat your air fryer and cook the fries in a single layer for best results—work in smaller batches if needed.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To re-crisp, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes.
These fries also freeze well. Lay them flat on a baking sheet to freeze, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 468kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 34g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 105mg, Sodium: 1165mg, Potassium: 397mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 435IU, Vitamin C: 20mg, Calcium: 172mg, Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
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