This delightful dish of Air Fryer Zucchini is savory, crispy, and incredibly easy to prepare. Seasoned with pantry staples, it serves as an excellent side dish that you can rely on all year round. Plus, it’s vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe
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Simple Ingredients: With just a few easy-to-find ingredients, you can create a flavorful dish that everyone will enjoy.
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Fresh: This recipe perfectly enhances the natural flavors of fresh zucchini without overwhelming them.
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Year-round: Whether it’s summer or winter, this recipe is always a hit. It’s a great way to use up those extra zucchinis no matter the season.
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Versatile: Pair this air-fried zucchini with anything from burgers and brats to pasta bolognese and garlic bread. It can complement any meal!
Recipe Ingredients
To make these delicious air fryer zucchini chips, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Zucchini
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Lemon juice
- Garlic seasoning mix (parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika)
How to Cook Zucchini in the Air Fryer
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to cooking zucchini in an air fryer:
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Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes.
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Combine the zucchini slices, olive oil, salt, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika in a large shallow bowl. Mix well.
- Arrange half of the zucchini slices in a single layer in the preheated air fryer. Cook for 9-11 minutes, gently tossing the zucchini every 3 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Repeat with the remaining zucchini.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the cooked zucchini and toss gently to combine. Serve piping hot!
Recipe Pro-Tips
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Uniform Size: To ensure even cooking, cut the zucchini into uniform-sized slices or chunks.
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Preheating: It’s essential to preheat the air fryer before adding the zucchini. This helps the zucchini cook evenly and become crispy faster.
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Avoid Overcrowding: Cook the zucchini in batches to prevent overcrowding in the air fryer. This allows the zucchini to crisp up nicely.
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Keep Warm: If needed, keep the air-fried zucchini warm in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit while cooking the remaining batches.
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Toss Occasionally: Tossing the zucchini during the cooking process ensures that all sides get equal exposure to the hot air, resulting in evenly cooked zucchini chips.
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Doubling the Recipe: To make a larger batch, double all the ingredients and cook the zucchini in four separate batches to maintain crispiness.
Recipe Variations
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Squash: Use yellow or summer squash instead of zucchini for a delightful twist. Follow the same recipe instructions.
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Zucchini Fries: Cut the zucchini into thick matchstick-style pieces and toss with panko breadcrumbs along with the seasonings for crispy zucchini fries.
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Italian Air Fryer Zucchini: Replace the lemon juice with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle the zucchini with Italian seasoning. Optional: add parmesan cheese and red pepper chili flakes.
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Greek Seasoned Zucchini: Sprinkle the zucchini with dried oregano, dried thyme, and garlic powder. Toss with red wine vinegar before serving. Optional: sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese.
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Herbes de Provence Zucchini: Use herbes de Provence seasoning and drizzle with white wine vinegar before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these hot air fryer zucchini chips alongside your favorite proteins. They make a perfect accompaniment to grilled chicken thighs, Italian sausage and pasta, flat iron steak, burgers, and more.
Storage and Reheating Directions
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Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
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Reheating: For best results, reheat the zucchini in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a microwave.
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Freezing: It is not recommended to freeze the leftover zucchini as it may become mushy and lose its crispy texture.
FAQs
- Q: Can I freeze air-fried zucchini?
A: It’s not recommended to freeze air-fried zucchini as it tends to become mushy and lose its crispiness.
Tools Needed to Make This Recipe
- Cutting board
- Chef knife
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Silicone spatula
- Air fryer (e.g., Ninja Foodi Tendercrisp, Instant Pot Duocrisp)
More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
- Air Fryer Italian Sausage
- Air Fryer Vegetables
- Air Fryer Portobello Mushrooms
- Frozen Broccoli in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Kale Chips
- Air Fryer Smashed Parmesan Potatoes
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash
More Zucchini Recipes
- Zucchini Lasagna
- Gluten-free Zucchini Bread
- Sauteed Zucchini & Yellow Squash with Herbed Parmesan Cheese
- Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
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