Air-Fryer Zucchini

Active Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Servings:

4

Nutrition Profile:

Low-Carb Diabetes-Friendly Nut-Free Soy-Free Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Craving something crispy and fresh? Then try this recipe for Air-Fryer Zucchini. Just like our other zucchini recipes, this one is anything but boring, thanks to the big flavor from Parmesan cheese, herbs and spices that crisp up beautifully in the air fryer. Zucchini is a low-calorie food that also provides fiber. With that in mind, it’s time to start enjoying more zucchini! Here’s all you need to know to create this delightful dish at home!

How to Make Air-Fryer Zucchini

1. Prep the Air Fryer

Get to know your air fryer before you get started. Every model is different, and reading the manufacturer’s instructions before using it ensures success. For this recipe, you’ll need to preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes, but you can adjust the time accordingly. Preheating gets the air moving and heats up the basket, which can help prevent food from sticking.

2. Mix Up the Coating First

You’ll need to combine the coating in a medium mixing bowl before you add the zucchini. This ensures that the flavors are evenly distributed.

3. Work in Batches

Unless you have a very large air fryer, you’ll likely need to cook the zucchini in batches. Err on the side of adding less, rather than more, to your basket so that the zucchini has adequate space for the air to circulate around it. This ensures crispy, not steamed zucchini.

Variations to Try

Swap spices: Swap in ground cumin for the oregano, and chili powder for the onion powder. Try a pickle-inspired version by using dried dill in place of dried oregano. If you love spicy flavors, use ½ teaspoon salt-free Caribbean jerk seasoning in place of the dried oregano.
Try yellow squash: You can make the recipe with yellow summer squash in place of zucchini. Or, use a mix of both for a fun, colorful twist.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!

As mentioned above, give your zucchini plenty of space in the air-fryer basket. The air needs to flow around the food, which won’t happen if it’s too tightly packed.
To make flipping easy, we recommend using long-handled kitchen tongs. Take your time and flip the pieces individually instead of stirring, which can result in lost coating.
The best way to enjoy fried zucchini is right after you pull it out of the air fryer. Otherwise, before you begin cooking, place a wire rack over a baking sheet and set it next to your air fryer. Once a batch is done, transfer it to the rack, allowing ample space between the pieces so they won’t steam. Pop them in a 200°F oven to keep warm.

Nutrition Notes

Zucchini is a low-calorie, low-carb and low-fat vegetable. It provides a nice dose of fiber, is high in vitamin C and is a good source of potassium and folate. The antioxidants and nutrients in zucchini are good for your skin, heart, bones and eyes.
Lemon juice adds a touch of brightness and acidity to the dish and is a simple way to add flavor while cutting back on sodium. Add the zest for even more flavor, without any additional calories or sodium!

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
large (8 ounce) zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions

Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Combine Parmesan, oil, oregano, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and crushed red pepper in a medium bowl. Add zucchini and toss to coat.

Ana Cadena
Working in batches if necessary, arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer in the fryer basket. Cook, flipping once, until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle with lemon juice and serve with lemon wedges.

Jacob Fox

Equipment

Air fryer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?

If you’re a strict vegetarian, look for Parmesan cheese that has been made with a vegetable-based rennet. Traditionally, Parmesan cheese uses an animal rennet, but plenty of companies are now using the vegetable version. Look for Parmesan cheese labeled vegetarian.
Is air-frying healthy?

Unlike deep-frying or shallow-pan frying, the air fryer requires less oil to cook food, which helps keep calories in check. Plus, using just a small amount of oil (depending on the type) can help limit the overall saturated fat content. Since wet batters don’t work in an air fryer, we paired our spice mix with just enough Parmesan cheese to create a savory, flavorful coating that will still crisp up nicely.
Can I use something in place of the Parmesan cheese?

Absolutely. The Parmesan adds a bit of salty umami to this dish, but you can definitely omit it. Otherwise, consider replacing it with a vegan variety. While we haven’t tried it, nutritional yeast could be a good substitute. Start small, though; about 1 to 2 teaspoons for the whole recipe should do the trick.

EatingWell.com, June 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

64	Calories
5g	Fat
5g	Carbs
2g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1/3 cup
Calories 64
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 5g	2%
Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 2g	4%
Total Fat 5g	6%
Saturated Fat 1g	5%
Cholesterol 2mg	1%
Vitamin A 278IU	6%
Vitamin C 21mg	23%
Vitamin D 1IU	0%
Vitamin E 1mg	4%
Folate 28mcg	7%
Vitamin K 6mcg	5%
Sodium 345mg	15%
Calcium 43mg	3%
Iron 1mg	6%
Magnesium 22mg	5%
Potassium 312mg	7%
Zinc 1mg	9%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by

Sara Haas, RDN, LDN