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Air fryer zucchini fries are a low-carb, keto-friendly snack that’s ready in minutes! Crispy and cheesy on the outside, tender on the inside, this is the best way to use up your leftover summer zucchini.

The thing I love most about zucchini is the fact that it can be utilized in so many different ways. Try it grilled, in a casserole, or even in cake! For all of my fellow zucchini lovers out there, I have a full list of amazing zucchini recipes waiting for you here.

Air-fried zucchini fries served with marinara sauce on a gray plate.

The Easiest Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

You probably know by now that I love my air fryer, and more importantly, all of the delicious appetizers you can make with it. Although I love how easy it is to throw a batch of french fries in the air fryer, it’s not the best for my diet! With these air fryer zucchini fries, you get all of that crispy goodness you crave without the carbs! Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover zucchini from your garden! We always have more zucchini than we know what to do with at my house, and this is such a delicious way to utilize it.

To make your delicious batch of zucchini fries, all you need to do is prepare a simple batter made of eggs and Panko bread crumbs, then it’s off to the air fryer for it to work its magic. I can’t believe how golden and crispy these turn out without being deep-fried! Who knew eating healthy could be so insanely delicious? Serve your zucchini fries with your favorite dips (I used marinara!) and you have the perfect summer snack on your hands.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The great part about this recipe is that you probably have all of these ingredients in your pantry right now! Aren’t simple recipes the best? These zucchini fries are perfect for those times when the kids want a snack but you don’t want to make a trip to the grocery store. Speaking from experience!

  • Zucchini: I used small zucchini here since they’re less watery and have fewer seeds.
  • Panko Crumbs: Give these fries the most delightful crunch!
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds delicious flavor and helps the outside of each fry become nice and crispy.
  • Italian Seasoning: Gives the breading a tasty pop of flavor. You can buy this premade or make your own blend of herbs at home!
  • Garlic Powder: Adds the perfect savory flavor to your air fryer zucchini fries.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor.
  • Flour: I used all-purpose flour, but if you want something more keto-friendly, opt for almond flour.
  • Eggs: Help the breadcrumbs stick to the zucchini.
  • Water: Added to the egg mixture to thin it out.
3-photo collage of zucchini being cut into fry-sized pieces.

How to Make Zucchini Fries in the Air Fryer

This air fryer zucchini fries recipe is quick and easy! It just takes a few simple steps of battering, then all you have to do is toss them in your air fryer. You don’t have to deal with the hassle (or mess!) of frying in oil!

  1. Cut Zucchini: Slice the zucchini into sticks.
  2. Coat With Flour: Add the flour to a bag with the zucchini and shake it to coat them.
  3. Bread Crumb Mixture: In a medium bowl, stir together the Panko, parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
  4. Whisk Eggs: Add the eggs and water to a small bowl and whisk them together.
  5. Coat With Batter: Remove the zucchini from the bag and dip them in the egg mixture then into the Panko.
  6. Prep Air Fryer Basket: Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil then add zucchini.
  7. Air-Fry: Spray the zucchini with olive oil and cook at 350 degrees F for 7-12 minutes or until golden and crispy.
  8. Serve: Serve warm with marinara or ranch.

Can I Make Zucchini Fries in the Oven Instead?

No air fryer? No problem! Zucchini fries can also be cooked in the oven! You can find my full recipe here. I recommend this method if you’re making a large batch of zucchini fries so you don’t overcrowd your air fryer.

4-photo collage of zucchini pieces being battered.

Tips for Making Zucchini Fries in the Air Fryer

To ensure that your zucchini fries end up golden, crispy, and beautifully tender, here are a few simple tips and tricks to keep in mind.

  • Avoiding Soggy Fries: Zucchini has a very high water content naturally. For crispier fries, pat your pieces of zucchini dry with paper towels before breading them.
  • Don’t Overcrowd Air Fryer Basket: This tip is the key to crispy zucchini fries! Your zucchini fries need plenty of airflow in order to cook through properly. Make sure there’s space in between each fry and there’s no overlap. Similarly, only cook a single layer at a time.
  • Sauces and Dips: Marinara and ranch are always a good idea, but some other tasty dips to try with your zucchini fries are garlic aioli, whipped feta, and alfredo sauce!
Cooked zucchini fries in the bottom of an air fryer basket.

Storing Leftovers

These air fryer zucchini fries are always gone in an instant at my house, but if you’re lucky enough to have some leftover, here’s how to keep them tasting fresh and delicious!

  • In the Refrigerator:ย Once cooled, place your zucchini fries in anย airtight containerย or Ziploc bag. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • In the Freezer:ย You can freeze your zucchini fries after they are baked. Wait for them to cool, then place them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. They can be kept in the freezer for 1 month.
Dipping a zucchini fry into marinara sauce.

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Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

5 from 8 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
Air fryer zucchini fries are a low-carb, keto-friendly snack that's ready in minutes! Crispy and cheesy on the outside, tender on the inside, this is the best way to use up your leftover summer zucchini.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Slice the zucchini into sticks.
  • Add the flour to a bag with the zucchini and shake it to coat them.
  • In a medium bowl stir together the Panko, parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
  • Add the eggs and water to a small bowl and whisk them together.
  • Remove the zucchini from the bag and dip them in the egg mixture then into the Panko.
  • Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil then place in zucchini in.
  • Spray the zucchini with olive oil and bake at 350 degrees F for 7-12 minutes or until golden and crispy.
  • Serve warm with marinara or ranch.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 209kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 10gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 652mgPotassium: 143mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 273IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 194mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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Recipe Rating




15 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    One word….YUM!
    I don’t always love savory zucchini recipes, but this was easy and so delicious.

  2. 5 stars
    I used this recipe for not only zucchini fries, but I also made carrot fries and jicama fries. I did not use wheat flour I used almond flour. I did not use wheat Panko I used PORQ, sweet and smoky Panko crumbles. Everything else was the same. They were quite good. However, I think next time I will skip the Italian seasoning and just use garlic and onion powder or perhaps loweryโ€˜s seasoned salt. Now I have to figure out how many carbs per serving, because I didnโ€™t use any wheat.

  3. 5 stars
    Single dad here, and I just made these for my daughters. They loved them! They couldn’t stop eating them. ๐Ÿค˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿค˜Thanks for sharing!

    1. Hey Steve! These are my favorite kind of reviews. I’m so happy that they liked them! Thanks for giving them a try!

  4. 5 stars
    Delicious as written and definitely will be made again. I will pump the seasoning up a bit next time and a tad more salt. Personal preference there not a slight towards the recipe as written. Yum!

      1. Hi Ang!
        You can freeze them before they are cooked by preparing them through step 5, laying them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freezing for 3-4 hours before transferring to a freezer bag. Cook them from frozen for 5 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit in the air fryer.

        Or

        You can freeze your zucchini fries after they are baked. Wait for them to cool, then place them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. Cook them from frozen for 3-4 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit in the air fryer.

        They can be kept in the freezer for 1 month.

        I hope this helps!