Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
When you’re craving a lighter snack, these Air Fryer Zucchini Fries deliver! They’re seasoned with savory spices, then coated in parmesan and air fried until golden brown perfection. There’s no breadcrumbs, so they’re a low carb snack or side dish that’s so good dunked in creamy Greek yogurt ranch!
Football season is here, and I love snacking during the game(s)! While I often enjoy something cheesy like my hot artichoke dip, sometimes I simply crave something lighter.
These Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are just the light, crave-worthy snack that I love. They’re similar to my baked zucchini chips, but they’re even easier.
The chips need to be cut super thin to ensure that they crisp up in the oven, but for this recipe, the zucchini is cut into an easy french fry shape.
The exterior becomes ultra crispy in the air fryer because the fries are coated in egg and parmesan cheese. The coating gets so crispy with no breadcrumbs whatsoever!
These zucchini fries have lots of flavor with a simple spice blend of onion powder, garlic powder and smoked paprika, and of course dipping them in Greek yogurt ranch dressing is optional but highly recommended.
This is one of the best air fryer snacks! It’s nice and light without feeling like health food, and it’s actually quite satisfying.
Game day just got a whole lot better. 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Crispy without breadcrumbs: These zucchini fries have no breadcrumbs! They’re coated in egg and freshly grated parmesan cheese for the perfect golden brown, crispy coating.
- Gluten-free & low carb: These fries are naturally gluten-free, keto-friendly, and perfect served with marinara or ranch dressing.
- Quick & easy: They take 10 minutes to prep and they cook up in the air fryer in just 8-10 minutes!
- Family-friendly: They’re a fun way to get your family to eat their veggies!
Recipe ingredients
These gluten-free zucchini fries include just a handful of ingredients, and can be customized with what you have on hand.
- Zucchini: You’ll need (2) medium zucchini for this recipe. Cut them into fry shapes that are uniform in size to ensure even cooking. For extra crispy zucchini fries, salt the fries and let stand for 10-15 minutes, then blot them dry. The salt draws out excess moisture, which helps crisp up the zucchini even more.
- Egg: Dredging the fries in beaten egg helps the parmesan to adhere to them better, it prevents sogginess and helps the cheese to crisp up nicely. If you prefer not to use egg, use 1-2 tablespoons olive oil.
- Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for maximum crispiness. Pre-grated parmesan cheese just doesn’t melt or crisp as well.
- Spices. Onion powder, garlic powder and smoked paprika add savory, smoky flavor. Feel free to use your favorite seasonings.
- Greek yogurt ranch dressing: Optional but highly recommended! Sub with your favorite dip such as marinara sauce, etc.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
How to make zucchini fries in the air fryer
Making zucchini fries in the air fryer is incredibly easy. Simply prep the zucchini by cutting it into french fry shapes, then coat them in egg, parmesan cheese and spices.
Cook them in a single layer to get them as crispy as possible, then it’s time to enjoy.
Pro tip: Coating the zucchini fries in egg instead of oil helps the parmesan stick to the zucchini better, crisps it up beautifully in the air fryer, and prevents sogginess.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
Recipe FAQs
You can prep the zucchini and coat them in the egg and parmesan cheese up to an hour or so before serving, but for best results, serve the zucchini fries immediately when they’re hot and crispy.
You can certainly use a combination of breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese for this recipe if you wish. For gluten-free zucchini fries, make sure to use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 400 or 425 degrees for just a few minutes until hot.
Avoid microwaving the fries as this will simply make them soggy.
If you don’t own an air fryer, you can prepare the fries in the oven. Place the fries on a wire rack placed over a large rimmed baking sheet, then bake them in the oven at 425°F for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
Be sure to check the fries for doneness after 10 minutes or so as all oven temperatures vary.
Serving suggestions
These Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are so versatile—serve them as a snack, appetizer, or side dish! Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy them:
- With dip: They’re irresistible with my Greek yogurt ranch dressing, but you can also serve them with Greek tzatziki or my homemade marinara sauce for dipping.
- As a side dish: Pair them with Mediterranean Baked Cod or Grilled Tri Tip Roast for a light meal. They’re also a nice alternative to traditional fries alongside grilled burgers or grilled turkey burgers.
- Game day appetizer: Add them to a lineup of low carb snacks alongside dill pickle tuna salad on tomato or cucumber slices or antipasto skewers.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Coating the zucchini fries in egg instead of oil helps the parmesan stick to the zucchini better, crisps it up beautifully in the air fryer, and prevents sogginess.
- For even crispier zucchini fries, salt the fries and let them stand 10-15 minutes to draw out the moisture, then blot dry and proceed as directed.
- Cut the zucchini into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
- Fries are best served immediately as they will become soggy once refrigerated.
More air fried vegetables you’ll love
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb. zucchini about 2 medium; see note 2
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese see note 3
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, cut off the top and bottom of the zucchini. Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise, then place cut-side down and halve each piece widthwise. Cut into 1/2" thick fry shapes. For extra crispy fries, salt the zucchini fries and let stand for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Blot dry and proceed with step 2.1 lb. zucchini
- Place the egg in a small bowl and beat until incorporated. Combine the parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl.1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. onion powder, 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp. sea salt, 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- Dip each zucchini fry in the egg, followed by the parmesan cheese, then place in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Place them on their sides as they cook up more evenly this way. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the fries in batches. Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Taste and add salt as necessary. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy!
Notes
- Pro tip: Coating the zucchini fries in egg instead of oil helps the parmesan stick to the zucchini better, crisps it up beautifully in the air fryer, and prevents sogginess.
- Cut the zucchini into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
- For best results, use freshly grated parmesan cheese as pre-grated parmesan doesn’t melt or crisp as well.
- Cut the zucchini into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
- Store leftover zucchini fries in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 425 degrees for 3-5 minutes until hot. Avoid reheating them in the microwave as they will be soggy.
- Serve the fries with Greek yogurt ranch dressing, homemade marinara sauce or Greek tzatziki!
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
