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    Home » Zucchini/Courgettes

    Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy and Vegan

    Published: Jun 27, 2021 · Modified: Sep 7, 2024 by Louise-Claire Cayzer · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    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!

    A bowl of crunchy coated zucchini fries with a little bowl of vegan mayonaisse in front. A hand is reaching in with one frie and dipping it in the mayo. this recipe

    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!

    Jump to:
    • 🥒Ingredients
    • 👩‍🍳How to
    • 🌶️Substitutions and Variations
    • 🥫Storage
    • ❓FAQ
    • 🥗 To Serve
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🥒Ingredients

    Ingredients for the air fried zucchini fries laid out.
    1. 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!)
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. Garlic Powder: For a subtle Italian seasoning flavor. Add as much as you like!
    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. Red Pepper Flakes or chili powder: optional but delicious if you like heat!
    9. Flakey Sea Salt or kosher salt: to taste.
    10. 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)

    Make the crunchy panko coating for the zucchini fries.

    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.

    Dredge the sticks of zucchini in corn starch slurry then dip in panko.

    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.

    The fries should look like this. Add to the air fryer basket.

    5. You should end up with a nicely covered fry, ready to pop into the air fryer basket in a single layer.

    Air fry the zucchini fries until golden and crispy.

    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

    1. Gluten-Free- choose gluten-free breadcrumbs, or even almond flour to create a crispy coating.
    2. 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

    Which type of breadcrumbs do you use?

    I use panko breadcrumbs because I like how light and crunchy they are. You could make your own or use another variety however.

    Will this recipe work with other veggies?

    You could use any of the summer squashes with this fries recipe. It would also work well with asparagus or green beans!

    Can I change the seasoning on the fries?

    Yes absolutely. Add more chilli or your other favourite spices.

    Can these fries be made gluten free?

    Yes! You can use gluten free breadcrumbs. Or use some ground almonds or other nuts or seeds instead of the breadcrumb altogether.

    Vegan Zucchini fries in a bowl with vegan mayo in front!

    🥗 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.

    If you love this recipe, please share this post with your friends on Pinterest or Facebook, or tag me on Insta! Don't forget to also please comment and star ⭐this recipe too!

    Love & Vegan Yummies, Louise xx (P.S. Follow me on Insta and Tik Tok!)

    📖 Recipe

    Vegan Zucchini Fries with dip.

    Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Easy and Vegan

    Louise-Claire Cayzer
    Yummy snack to make with seasonal zucchini or courgettes! Easy to make in the air fryer or oven!
    5 from 1 vote
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine Italian, Vegan
    Servings 4
    Calories 147 kcal

    Equipment

    • baking sheet if using the oven
    • 1 Air fryer
    • 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 go
      3 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

    Make this recipe gluten free by using gluten free breadcrumbs, or ground almonds or other nuts. 
    Serve with Alioli! 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 5gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 162mgPotassium: 401mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 334IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe and loved it? Follow and Mention @vegan_larder or comment and ⭐ below
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    1. Nico @ yumsome says

      October 04, 2016 at 12:50 pm

      Phwoarrrrrr! These look so fab! Oh, and AF alioli is amazing, isn't it? I love making it... and y'know, nomming it too!

      Reply

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    Hi! I'm Louise-Claire! I believe vegan and plant-based food should be easy to make, never scary and above all, absolutely delicious. Also, it's for everyone, not just for vegans!

    I'm a photographer, recipe developer and gardener. You'll find me in the kitchen, in the studio or wandering the garden, picking delicious veggies to make recipes for you! So why not stay a while, check out some of my recipes and try one or two for yourself...Find out more on my About Me page.

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    Air fryer zucchini fries ready to eat.

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