Crispy Air-Fryer Zucchini

Get ready for the most amazing crispy zucchini that will make everyone at your dinner table smile! This simple air-fryer recipe turns ordinary zucchini into golden, crunchy perfection that even picky eaters will love. Plus, it’s ready in just 30 minutes with almost no prep work!

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 10 minutes, Total Time: 30 minutes, Serves: 4 people.

Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb, Diabetes-Friendly, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Vegetarian, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 64 Calories, 5g Fat, 5g Carbs, 2g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Parmesan cheese: You’ll need 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan, which adds that perfect salty, nutty flavor. The pre-grated kind from the store works just fine!

Extra-virgin olive oil: Just 1 tablespoon helps everything get golden and crispy. This little bit of oil makes such a big difference in the air fryer.

Dried oregano: Half a teaspoon brings that lovely Mediterranean taste. If you only have fresh oregano, use about 1 teaspoon instead.

Salt: Half a teaspoon of regular table salt or sea salt works perfectly here.

Garlic powder: A quarter teaspoon gives you that garlicky goodness without any chopping. So convenient!

Onion powder: Another quarter teaspoon adds sweet onion flavor that pairs beautifully with the zucchini.

Ground pepper: Just a quarter teaspoon of black pepper adds a gentle kick.

Crushed red pepper: An eighth of a teaspoon gives just a tiny bit of heat. Skip it if you don’t like spicy food!

Zucchini: One large 8-ounce zucchini, sliced into quarter-inch thick rounds. Pick one that feels firm and heavy for its size.

How to Make Air-Fryer Zucchini

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. While it’s heating up, grab a medium bowl and mix together the Parmesan cheese, olive oil, oregano, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Add your sliced zucchini and toss everything together until each slice is nicely coated.

Step 2: Arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd them – work in batches if you need to! Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the slices once halfway through. They’re done when they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Step 3: Remove the crispy zucchini and immediately sprinkle with the lemon juice. Serve right away with those lemon wedges on the side for extra zing!

Easy and Quick Air-Fryer Zucchini Version

Want to make this even simpler? You can totally skip making your own spice blend! Just toss the zucchini slices with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and 1 teaspoon of your favorite Italian seasoning blend. Air fry the same way and finish with lemon juice. It’s still absolutely delicious and saves you from measuring out all those individual spices!

Serving Ideas

These crispy zucchini rounds make a perfect side dish for grilled chicken or fish. They’re also amazing as a healthy snack with a little marinara sauce for dipping. Try serving them alongside a fresh salad and some crusty bread for a light, satisfying meal that feels really special.

Storage

Store any leftover zucchini in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in a covered container. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to get that crispiness back. They won’t be quite as crispy as fresh, but they’ll still taste great!

Substitutions

No Parmesan cheese? You can skip it completely or try nutritional yeast instead – start with just 1-2 teaspoons. Don’t have oregano? Italian seasoning works great too. If you’re out of lemon juice, a splash of white wine vinegar adds nice brightness. Yellow squash works just as well as zucchini if that’s what you have on hand!

Pro Tips

Slice evenly: Try to keep all your zucchini slices the same thickness so they cook at the same rate.
Don’t skip the flip: Flipping halfway through ensures both sides get perfectly crispy and golden.
Serve immediately: These are best enjoyed right out of the air fryer while they’re still hot and crispy.
Pat dry first: If your zucchini seems watery, pat the slices dry with paper towels before seasoning.

FAQs

Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?

Sure! Just make sure to look for Parmesan cheese made with vegetable-based rennet if you’re a strict vegetarian. Many companies now make vegetarian versions, so check the label. Traditional Parmesan uses animal rennet, but the vegetable kind tastes just as good!

Is air-frying healthy?

You bet! Air frying uses way less oil than regular frying, which keeps the calories much lower. We only use 1 tablespoon of oil for the whole recipe, which helps limit saturated fat too. The air fryer gives you that crispy texture without all the extra oil – it’s a win-win!

Can I use something in place of the Parmesan cheese?

Absolutely! The Parmesan adds great salty, savory flavor, but you can definitely leave it out if needed. Try a vegan Parmesan instead, or experiment with nutritional yeast – just use 1-2 teaspoons for the whole recipe. Start small since nutritional yeast can be pretty strong!

What if my zucchini turns out soggy?

No worries! This usually happens when the slices are too thick or overcrowded in the basket. Make sure your slices are a true quarter-inch thick and give them space to breathe. Also, patting the zucchini dry before seasoning really helps remove extra moisture.

I’d love to hear how your crispy zucchini turns out! Drop a comment below and let me know if you tried any fun variations. Happy air frying, friends!