Easy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Recipe
Recipe Snapshot
PREP + COOK TIME: 30 minutes
METHOD: Air Fryer, food processor or chopper
OTHER TOOLS: knife and cutting board
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 5
Air fryer zucchini fries are a tasty and healthy way to add more vegetables to your meal plan! The crispy exterior will win over even the kids, and they’re super easy to make. Made with a simple breading of potato chips and breadcrumbs, these crunchy fries are perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce!
What’s To Love About This Recipe
- With the air fryer, zucchini fries turn out crisp, and you can achieve a perfectly golden coating without the need for deep-frying.
- This recipe uses everyday ingredients, including pantry-friendly panko and crumbled potato chips. It doesn’t require much planning ahead!
- Zucchini is often readily available in the summer, making this a great recipe to cook with during the season. It is packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, folate, and potassium.
- The fries are easy to customize with different seasonings and dips. Serve it as an appetizer or substitute traditional French fries with this healthy veggie option.
- This veggie recipe is quick to make and fun for kids and adults alike. It’s naturally dairy-free and can be made gluten-free, too!
Ingredients Needed
- Zucchini – Choose a medium-sized zucchini that doesn’t feel too light or hollow. It shouldn’t have any soft spots or blemishes either. No need to peel – just slice it in half and then into sticks for easy coating.
- Egg – Beat an egg to use as a coating that helps the crispy breading stick.
- Potato chips – I like using kettle chips since they add just the right amount of flavor and crunch! Choose any potato chip that you prefer. Be sure to crush the chips finely so they stick well to the zucchini sticks.
- Panko breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs add extra breading that binds together with the potato chips to make a textured breading. Look for gluten-free panko breadcrumbs if you need them.
- Herb and garlic seasoning – This is an excellent all-purpose seasoning blend that includes everything you need! It’s herby but neutral enough to work with a variety of sauces and dishes. Feel free to adjust the spices or add additional salt and pepper if desired.
How To Make Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
- Slice the zucchini in half, then slice each half into fries by cutting into 4-6 pieces (see photo for sizing).
- Beat eggs in a bowl until smooth.
- Crush chips, breadcrumbs, and seasoning until they become fine crumbs using a food processor or chopper.
- Generously spray the basket of the air fryer with avocado spray.
- Dip the zucchini pieces into the egg wash, then dip them in the crumb coating and place the fries in a single layer in the air fryer.
- Spray the fries generously with avocado spray.
- Cook at 375 ℉ for 8-10 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown on the outside.
Pro Tips
- Select a zucchini squash that feels heavier – this indicates that it is likely fresher and retaining more moisture. If it feels light or hollow inside, the quality has probably decreased. Also, be sure not to use a zucchini with wrinkled skin since it may already be past its prime.
- If your fries start to look dry but are not fully cooked yet and still tender in the center, spray them with a little more avocado oil spray.
- No need to peel the zucchini! The skin helps the fries maintain their shape and texture.
- Pat the zucchini dry before dipping in the egg and breading to improve coating adhesion and crispness.
- Cut zucchini fries evenly for uniform cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer; leave room between the fries for air to circulate. Cook in batches if needed!
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you have extra coating or want to try a new veggie, you can apply this same method to carrot sticks, green beans, or mushrooms and adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Add extra flavor to the fries by swapping plain potato chips with BBQ, sour cream & onion, jalapeño, or cheddar-flavored chips.
- Add shredded parmesan to the coating for a richer flavor.
- Use Italian seasoning, ranch, or taco seasoning blends instead of herb and garlic seasoning.
Baked Zucchini Fries
Prepare the fries as directed, then bake at 400 ℉ for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
As with any crispy fry, you’ve got to include something to dip it in! Choose your favorite sauce or create a tray of dipping options, such as Dairy-Free Ranch, warmed marinara, Chipotle Lime Mayo, or sriracha aioli (my personal favorite!).
Pair zucchini fries with other appetizers such as Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings and Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers. These crispy fries also make a delicious alternative to traditional fries served with your favorite Burgers, grilled chicken, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, or with Healthy Baked Turkey Meatballs.
Storing and Reheating
How To Best Store Leftovers
Fridge
Store leftover zucchini fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Freezer
I don’t recommend freezing since fries will lose their texture and become a soggy mess.
How To Best Reheat Leftovers
The best way to reheat the fries and regain some crunchy texture is to add them back to the air fryer at 350 ℉ for 3-4 minutes until crispy. Avoid the microwave to maintain the best texture!
Easy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1 egg
- 1 oz potato chips
- 1 oz panko breadcrumbs can be gluten-free
- 1/2 teaspoon herb and garlic seasoning
Instructions
- Slice zucchini in half, then slice each half into fries by cutting into 4-6 pieces (see photos)
- Beat eggs in a bowl until smooth
- Crush chips, breadcrumbs, and seasoning until they become fine crumbs using a food processor or chopper
- Generously spray basket of air fryer with avocado spray
- Dip zucchini pieces into egg wash, then dip them in the crumb coating and place fries in a single layer in air fryer
- Spray fries generously with avocado spray
- Cook at 375 ℉ for 8-10 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown outside
Notes
- Store leftover fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheat the fries by adding them back to the air fryer at 350 ℉ for 3-4 minutes until crispy. Avoid the microwave!
- If the fries begin to look dry or burned without being fully cooked in the center, spray them with a little more avocado oil spray.
- You do not need to peel the zucchini.
- Cut the zucchini fries evenly for uniform cooking and avoid overcrowding the air fryer.
These look absolutely yummy and healthy! We have got to try this recipe! Thanks!