Super Easy, Super Low-Carb, and Super Irresistible: Air Fryer Zucchini
When I was growing up back in the days before air fryers graced our kitchens, my dad’s bumper crop of zucchini in our family garden brought on a slight panic. My mom would frantically try to give away as many zucchinis as she could, sometimes just “gifting” them uninvited on neighbors’ front porches like some kind of vegetable fairy! With the ones we had left, she’d start churning out zucchini bread, baked zucchini casserole, and even zucchini pancakes. If only we’d had an air fryer! These handy small appliances are a dream for zucchini. Just slice, season, and air fry, and you have a delicious side dish.
Zucchini is typically not one of those vegetables that gets a lot of love. While people might rave about devouring a million homegrown cherry tomatoes or gorging on multiple ears of farm-fresh sweet corn, typically, zucchini is not the big star. The air fryer prep method changes all that. Air Fryer Zucchini makes it into something you won’t be able to stop eating! Trust me.
The way the air fryer crisps up and slightly caramelizes the zucchini slices means you get maximum texture and taste (without the sogginess that sometimes befalls cooked zucchini). The addition of the spices and parmesan cheese gives a nutty boost to the natural zucchini flavor, and you have a perfect appetizer or side dish. What’s even better is that Air Fryer Zucchini is low-carb and gluten-free! So, eat away.
Zucchini Basics
So what constitutes a “medium zucchini?” If you’re buying your zucchinis at the store, you probably want to go with the bigger ones available. Look for ones with a diameter of about 1 1/2 – 2 inches. If you’re using garden-fresh zucchinis, pick them at about the same size—before they get too enormous! Whatever size you end up using, zucchinis are full of vitamin C, folates, and antioxidants. After washing your zucchini, leave the peel on for cooking, both to get all the health benefits and for texture.
How to Make Ahead and Store?
Air Fryer Zucchini is best enjoyed right after it’s cooked. For make-ahead, you can certainly prep the spices and measure out the parmesan cheese ahead of time. You can also slice the zucchini ahead of time and refrigerate. Once you have those steps done, it’s a cinch to cook up a few batches in the air fryer just before serving. Finally, to store leftovers, place them in an airtight storage container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Freezing is not recommended.
Serving Suggestions
As an appetizer, serve Air Fryer Zucchini on a platter. You can pair it with a little marinara sauce for dipping, but personally, I love these on their own. Especially when serving as an appetizer on its own, try varying the seasoning blend in Step 2. For instance, try a Spicy Blend (to the original spice blend, add 1 tsp chili powder and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes). Alternately, try a Balsamic Blend (add 1 T balsamic vinegar to the original spice blend). As a side dish to a meal, Air Fryer Zucchini goes well with Salmon Burgers or even as a green veg to serve alongside Turkey Meatloaf.
Air Fryer Zucchini
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- In a large bowl, toss the zucchini rounds with olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange the zucchini in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap for even cooking.
- Air fry for 5 minutes, then flip the zucchini rounds or shake the basket for even browning.
- Continue to air fry for another 5 minutes or until the zucchini is golden brown and tender.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the hot zucchini rounds and serve immediately.
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