Yes, you can make zucchini in the air fryer!
Air fryer zucchini makes the best snack or can also be served as an amazing side dish.
Zucchini comes out perfect in the air fryer because it is browned and crispy from the edges without being mushy. I don’t prefer to eat mushy zucchini from the middle, and the best part is that it only takes less than 15 minutes to be done to eat.
So, here I am going to give you two methods to cook zucchini: in chips and fries, which can be enjoyed with your favorite dip, and don’t worry if you like plain zucchini, this recipe would work great for that too, which will be equally crispy and satisfying.
Let’s start!
How to make zucchini in an air fryer?
When you go to the grocery to buy zucchini, always look for the smallest to large as it is said that the bigger zucchini is in size, the less flavorful it would be or might be bitter. So, avoid the larger zucchini and take out the one in the smallest size with smooth skin.
Ingredients
Zucchini – A small or medium-sized zucchini.
Olive oil – You can also use cooking oil spray instead of this.
Seasoning – It’s good to use fewer ingredients in zucchini, like pepper, salt, and just garlic powder.
Lemon – Lemon makes a hint of freshness in zucchini.
Instructions
Step 1. Wash and cut the zucchini in 1/8 thick slices or into 1-inch strips lengthwise. Although both shapes work fine, if you want to dip them into the chunky sauce, I recommend cutting zucchini in chip shape.
Step 2. Now, add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and zucchini to a large bowl and give it a good mix.
Step 3. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 400° F or 200° C.
Step 4. Now transfer the seasoned zucchini to an air fryer basket and let it cook for 8 to 10 minutes.
Step 5. If you’re making zucchini in strip shape, then it would take a little longer time than usual, and it should be a little crispy and browned from the outside when done.
Step 6. Once the zucchini is done, take it out in a bowl and squeeze fresh lemon on it.
Serve and enjoy with your favorite sauce or dip.
Check out the following video as a guide to know how to cook zucchini in an air fryer.
Tips and tricks to make air fryer zucchini
For making the best air fryer zucchini, follow these tips and tricks to help you get started.
- Leave space in between zucchini to make sure that airflow isn’t interrupted.
- Make sure to flip it through halfway in cooking.
- Also, make sure to spray oil on zucchini in between cooking to help them get crispy.
- If you want zucchini to be crunchy, either toss them in bread crumbs or cut them into thin pieces.
- Cooking time may vary if you use frozen zucchini to air fry, and results will be a bit different too.
- Even after the mentioned cooking time, they are not done. Feel free to cook it more to make them evenly cooked from all sides.
- The cooking time of zucchini also varies from thin to thick slices, so ensure an even cut for a good cooking experience.
Nutritional chart
| Calories | 231 |
| Total fat | 22g |
| Saturated fat | 3g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 78mg |
| Carbohydrates | 7g |
| Proteins | 3g |
Can you bake zucchini in the oven?
Yes, you can bake this zucchini recipe in the oven.
All you have to do is, preheat your oven to 400° F and put the zucchini inside the oven in a single layer with a cookie sheet on.
It would take 20 minutes to be fully cooked. Just make sure to flip the zucchini halfway through the cooking process.
How do you make zucchini healthy, low carb, and without oil?
Zucchini chips and fries are healthy ways to enjoy this vegetable.
If you noticed, there are no bread crumbs or any flour mentioned in this recipe, but still, you would get crispy zucchini.
It happens when you still spray oil on zucchini in the air fryer to make the outside crispy, and the amount of oil used in the air fryer is much less than in other cooking methods and deep fryers.
However, if you still want to avoid oil in zucchini. I recommend using a non-stick cooking spray that would spray on zucchini to coat them evenly.
It will give you the same result as tossing zucchini in avocado oil.
How do you reheat the air fryer zucchini?
If you have leftover zucchini, you can reheat them in the oven or air fryer.
Just set your oven to 350° F for 5 minutes until they are warm enough to eat.
You can also place them in an air fryer at 350° F for 1 to 2 minutes until it is fresh and crispy.
It is essential to know that you can store zucchini only for 4 to 5 days, and after that, they taste stale. Zucchini can also be frozen, but I wouldn’t recommend you to do that because they would be softer and wouldn’t taste fresh.
How long should you cook zucchini in an air fryer?
Insert the basket with the prepared zucchini into the fryer, which has been preheated to 400°F.
It won’t matter if you didn’t preheat it beforehand. 5 minutes in the oven There’s no need to throw them or anything else during this period.
Give them a look after 5 minutes. They will most likely require some additional time. Toss the basket and heat for another 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Suggestions
I have shared some suggestions for you below.
- If you don’t want to peel your zucchini or if you need extra fiber in your diet, leave the skin on. Just make sure to fully wash your hands before cooking.
- Before dipping the zucchini in the egg wash, dab it with a paper towel or dishcloth to remove any extra water.
- To make this a low-carb side dish, substitute almond flour for all-purpose flour.
- To make this a perfect fit for your main course, add your preferred spices.
What can be served with air fry zucchini?
Air-fried zucchini can be served with sauces and dips as per preferences. You can enjoy it perfectly with all the flavors you like as a snack for evening hunger or as an appetizer before getting your hands on the main course in a restaurant.
When I make zucchini into chips, I like to serve it with air fryer potato chips, banana chips, and apple chips. It’s good to give options to people to choose from when you’re hosting a party. Some of the options are:
Conclusion
In summary,
- Zucchini can be made in an air fryer healthily without too much oil.
- If you want to avoid oil in any form in zucchini, use a non-stick spray.
- Thin slices of zucchini are cooked more quickly than thick slices of it.
- Zucchini should be browned and crispy on the outside when they are done. If they’re not! Cook them a little more.
- Spraying oil on zucchini in between cooking gives the same crispiness that you get with breadcrumbs.