These easy to make Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are the perfect way to eat up loads of in-season zucchini! Made with a crispy crunchy panko breadcrumb outer, you'll want to snack on these fries all summer long!
If you have ever planted a few too many zucchini plants (a mistake I think every novice vegetable gardener has made) you'll know that you will end up with a glut of zucchini in July and August. Every year I try to make up new recipes to deal with my own glut, or that of my generous neighbors. If you don't grow your own, you'll find that zucchini are super cheap at the farmer's market or grocery store at the same time, so make the most of them.
If you need more zucchini recipes to deal with your abundance, try this delicious smokey zucchini dip or my favorite Vegan Zucchini Fritters , or even this Zucchini Scarpaccia which have convinced even zucchini haters to go back for seconds! And to serve, make my favorite vegan garlic aioli, or try dipping with marinara sauce or ranch dressing. Alternatively, if you want to try a different veggie, these Green Bean Air Fryer Fries are delicious!
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🥒Ingredients
- Zucchini (aka courgettes): choose firm zucchini that don't feel spongy in the middle. Younger more tender zucchini have the best flavor! (Head to under the recipe card to check out my zucchini plant for the freshest summer zucchini you'll ever see!)
- Panko Breadcrumbs: I like panko bread crumbs because they're light and crispy in texture. You can choose regular breadcrumbs if you wish, or even make your own.
- Potato Starch or Corn Starch (in the UK we call this corn flour): combined with water, this helps the breadcrumbs stick to the zucchini. It avoids having to use egg as a binder.
- Nutritional Yeast: I like to add this for a delicious parmesan cheese style flavor. You can omit and just add other herbs if you wish.
- Garlic Powder: For a subtle Italian seasoning flavor. Add as much as you like!
- Oregano or other dried herbs: I tend to use oregano, however dried parsley, dill, thyme or basil- or even just Italian Seasoning would be delicious.
- Olive oil: The olive oil gets rubbed into the panko breadcrumbs so you don't need as much oil, which makes these a yummy healthy snack. If you wish you can also use a little olive oil spray for an even crispier finish.
- Red Pepper Flakes or chili powder: optional but delicious if you like heat!
- Flakey Sea Salt or kosher salt: to taste.
- Other optional seasonings: See the Substitutes and Variations below for some delicious seasoning ideas you might like to try.
👩🍳How to
Follow along with this easy recipe for the perfect healthy air fryer zucchini fries!
First you'll need to cut your zucchini into zucchini sticks (think french fries for the size)
1 and 2. in a shallow bowl, mix up the panko breadcrumb mixture and seasonings and rub the olive oil into the breadcrumbs. This creates the evenly browned crumb without much oil.
3 and 4. Mix up the cornflour with water and dunk the zucchini slices into the mixture. Then dunk and thoroughly cover in the panko breadcrumb mixture.
5. You should end up with a nicely covered fry, ready to pop into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
6. Cook the fries in your air fryer. You might need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. The fries are ready when they're golden brown and crispy.
If you don't have an air fryer, you can also cook these yummy crispy zucchini fries in the oven. Simply line a baking sheet with parchment paper and bake a little longer!
🌶️Substitutions and Variations
- Gluten-Free- choose gluten-free breadcrumbs, or even almond flour to create a crispy coating.
- Other herbs and spices- choose cayenne pepper, old bay seasoning or even smoked paprika or a taco seasoning to switch up the spices for these air fryer zucchini chips.
🥫Storage
These air fryer fries are best cooked and eaten immediately, however if you do have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer or oven to crisp up again.
❓FAQ
I use panko breadcrumbs because I like how light and crunchy they are. You could make your own or use another variety however.
You could use any of the summer squashes with this fries recipe. It would also work well with asparagus or green beans!
Yes absolutely. Add more chilli or your other favourite spices.
Yes! You can use gluten free breadcrumbs. Or use some ground almonds or other nuts or seeds instead of the breadcrumb altogether.
🥗 To Serve
This air fryer zucchini fries recipe is perfect to make as a delicious appetizer, but are also great with a salad or a burger. Definitely have a glass of crispy white wine to go alongside, the recipe practically demands it.
📖 Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy and Vegan
Equipment
- baking sheet if using the oven
- 1 sharp knift
Ingredients Note:
For accuracy, I measure all ingredients in metric as standard, then convert and test the recipe for American cup measurements etc.
(Heads up Aussie and UK readers- your measurements in cups are sometimes different, so please use metric or check you have the correct cup and spoon type!!)
Ingredients
- 500 g (1 lb) zucchini (cut into long batons)
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (in a spray bottle)
For the Corn Starch Slurry
- 3 tablespoon corn starch
- 125 ml water
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (OPTIONAL)
For the Panko Crust
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 65 g (1 cup) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon oregano (or parsley)
- ½ teaspoon mild chilli powder (or chili flakes)
- 3 teaspoon nutritional yeast (add more if you like it cheesier!)
- salt & pepper-to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the potato or corn starch, water and hot sauce if using to form a slurry. You might need to add more water as you go3 tablespoon corn starch, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, 125 ml water
- In another bowl, add all the panko coating ingredients.1 tablespoon olive oil, 65 g panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon mild chilli powder, 3 teaspoon nutritional yeast, salt & pepper-to taste
- Mix the panko crumbs and seasonings with olive oil. Scrunch well with your fingers to coat the panko in the oil. This creates the lovely golden colour.
- Pre-heat your air fryer to 180c/ 356F and put 15 minutes on the timer.
- Cut up your zucchini / courgette into fry shaped batons.500 g zucchini
- Dip the zucchini batons into the corn starch mixture
- Coat the batons in the flavoured breadcrumbs.
- Lay out the zucchini fries in a single layer into your air fryer basket and spritz with a little extra oil.1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- Pop into the air fryer and cook for 12-14 minutes. Check, on them then if needed, cook for up to 12-15 minutes. The zucchini fries are done when the coating is golden and turning slightly brown and tender soft inside.
- You can serve with a vegan alioli, a salad and lovely fresh Sauv Blanc.
Notes
Nutrition
Marcia Strang says
Just made it - the topping was really crunchy so hubby actually ate it! I loved it - Zucc's were soft, not mushy. Delicious.
Louise-Claire Cayzer says
I'm so happy it was husband approved and you both loved the recipe!
Nico @ yumsome says
Phwoarrrrrr! These look so fab! Oh, and AF alioli is amazing, isn't it? I love making it... and y'know, nomming it too!