Air Fryer Zucchini chips recipe is a quick and easy way to use your surplus of the summer’s popular fresh produce. Slices of zucchini are breaded in a seasoned parmesan and panko breadcrumb coating, then air fried until crispy on the outside and tender in the center.
Air Fried Zucchini makes the perfect snack!
Our Air Fryer Zucchini slices take only 10 minutes to prepare using minimal ingredients and with 3 simple steps: just cut, coat in a seasoned panko bread crumbs mixture, and cook until perfectly crisp.
Panko parmesan zucchini chips cook fast in the air fryer without the added calories of frying in oil. With simple ingredient swaps, these can also be made vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, and keto friendly.
I love healthy air fryer recipes that rely on the hot circulating air to cook my food instead of deep frying in oil; you get the same crispy outside and soft inside with way less greasy mess.
These air fried zucchini chips are a lower maintenance, flourless cousin of my fried zucchini fritters; this versatile vegetable can be spiraled into Zucchini Noodles, baked into Zucchini Bread, made into Stuffed Zucchini Boats.
Why we love Air Fryer Zucchini
- Quick and easy make.
- Uses a handful of simple ingredients.
- Zucchini is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and it has a low calorie count.
- Crispy outsides and tender middles make these the perfect appetizer or afternoon snack.
- Delicious family-friendly side dish to accompany any meal.
Ingredients you’ll need for Air Fried Zucchini
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- Zucchini
- Egg
- Half and half
Tools to make Zucchini in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer
- Non-stick cooking spray
- Whisk
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
How to Air Fry Zucchini
- Prepare The Panko: Combine the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Set it aside.
- Make The Egg Mixture: Whisk together the egg and half and half.
- Prepare The Produce: Slice the zucchini. Dip each slice into the egg mixture, then dip it into the panko mixture.
- Cook: Arrange the breaded zucchini slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray each slice with non-stick cooking spray. Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 9-10 minutes.
Pro Tip: If you sliced your zucchini thicker, add extra time. - Serve: Serve while hot. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Zucchini Substitutions and Additions
- Add Some Spice: If you like a spicy version, you can add chipotle powder, chili powder, or a homemade spice blend to your veggies. You can also add some hot sauce to the egg and half-and-half mixture for extra heat.
- Vegan Version: To make your veggies vegan, replace parmesan with nutritional yeast and dip the zucchini in olive oil instead of the egg mixture before coating them in Panko.
- Serve With Sauce: Serve your zucchini slices with a side of dipping sauce. Some of my favorites include ketchup, ranch, buffalo dipping sauce, homemade BBQ sauce, and marinara sauce.
- Vary The Veggie: Try swapping the zucchini with some summer squash or eggplant slices — a delicious way to get your daily dose of vitamins!
- Cut The Carbs: Ground pork rinds mimic the texture of bread crumbs and will work in the same way that the panko breadcrumbs do in this recipe. You can also dry out a loaf of keto bread and create your own low carb breadcrumbs.
Tips for making the Best Zucchini in Air Fryer
- You can substitute plain breadcrumbs for the panko, but it will not have the same texture.
- You can substitute olive oil spray for non-stick cooking spray. You can also substitute butter-flavored non-stick cooking spray for the spray.
- Arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer for the best results. You will have to cook them multiple in batches (I cooked my zucchini in 4 batches).
What to pair with Air Fried Zucchini
Air Fried Zucchini pairs well with grilled meats, pasta dishes, and salads. It’s also great with creamy dips like ranch or tzatziki for a simple appetizer.
Air Fry Zucchini storage
- To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator overnight.
- To Reheat: Reheat the zucchini slices in the air fryer to re-crisp the slices.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Other Easy Healthy Recipes
- Healthy Breakfast Cookie
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Cloud Bread
- How To Make Cauliflower Pizza Crust
- 7 Layer Dip Cups
- Air Fryer Pickles
- Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Zucchini in Air Fryer Recipe
Serves — 5
Air Fryer Zucchini are crispy on the outside and soft in the center. Ready in 20 minutes and no oil needed!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 2 medium-sized zucchini each zucchini weighed 7 ounces
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons half and half
Instructions
- Add the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, onion powder, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and pepper to a medium-sized bowl. Stir to combine. Set it aside.
- Slice the end of the zucchini off and discard. Slice the zucchini into ⅛-inch round slices. (If you prefer a thicker slice, remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly)
- Add the egg and half and half to a small bowl. Whisk to incorporate completely.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Dip the sliced zucchini into the egg mixture, then dip it into the breadcrumb mixture. Lay the breaded slices onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining slices.
- Remove the air fryer basket and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
- Lay the breaded zucchini slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Generously spray the breaded zucchini slices with non-stick cooking spray. Cook for 9-10 minutes. If you sliced your zucchini thicker, add extra time. (I cooked my zucchini in 4 batches) Serve while hot.
Jenn’s Notes
Servings: 5 – ½ cup servings
Storage:
- To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator overnight.
- To Reheat: Reheat the zucchini slices in the air fryer to re-crisp the slices.
- You can substitute plain breadcrumbs for the panko, but it will not have the same texture.
- You can substitute olive oil spray for the non-stick cooking spray. You can also substitute butter-flavored non-stick cooking spray for the non-stick cooking spray.
- Arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer for best results. You will have cook them multiple in batches (I cooked my zucchini in 4 batches).
Nutrition Info
Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.004g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 566mg | Potassium: 302mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 341IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 162mg | Iron: 2mg
Love this recipe. I have been going to our local sports bar for fried zucchini, now I can make my own.
Thanks so much.