Crunchy, 'cheesy', tender, and delicious, these air fryer zucchini fries are a lighter, lower-carb, and delicious twist on a deep-fried classic! Want a lighter version with no breading? Try my simple air fryer zucchini coins and spears.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Zucchini is a versatile, budget-friendly vegetable that I use year-round in dishes like vegetable stew and veggie tacos (like these vegan black bean tacos with veggies). But when summer arrives and zucchini is everywhere, I find myself tossing it into everything to bulk up meals with extra nutrients and fiber (but minimal calories).
Air-fried zucchini fries are so simple to make, too-just slice, coat in a quick, versatile seasoned breadcrumb, and air-fry until golden brown and crunchy outside and tender inside. There's no deep frying or oil while still producing ultra-crispy results, and barely any clean-up. Whether you grow your own or buy a bunch, this recipe is perfect for your summer zucchini stash!
Ingredient Notes
Recipe Variations
Just like French fries, these air-fried zucchini fries can be seasoned in dozens of ways, including:
- Seasonings: Like vegan ranch seasoning, Cajun seasoning, taco seasoning.
- For spice: Chili powder or cayenne pepper.
- Herbs: I.e., thyme, oregano, basil, etc. For a fresh touch, garnish the breaded zucchini fries with fresh parsley, basil, chives, scallions, cilantro, etc.
- Shoestring fries: Spiralize the zucchini, bread it, and air fry (2-3 mins less).
How to Make Zucchini Fries in an Air Fryer
Keep scrolling to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and recipe instructions!
Step 1: First, trim and discard the zucchini ends, halve them lengthwise, and cut each into 2-4 spears (based on the zucchini thickness).
Step 2: Lay them on a paper towel-lined cutting board, sprinkle with salt, and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then shake off excess salt and water/ pat them dry.
If the zucchini is very long, cut it into 2-3-inch sections. If it's very seedy, use a spoon to scoop away seeds.
Step 3: Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix the plant milk, salt, garlic powder, and cornstarch.
Step 4: In a separate wide, shallow dish, mix the panko, Italian seasoning, and nutritional yeast.
Step 5: Working one by one, dip each zucchini fry into the plant milk mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, press it into the panko mixture on all sides.
Step 6: Transfer the breaded zucchini fries to the air fryer basket. Place them in a single layer, leaving space between. Air-fry for 8-12 minutes at 400°F (200 °C), or until golden and crispy.
FAQs
Absolutely! Bread the zucchini fries, freeze them on a parchment-lined tray until solid, and transfer to a Ziplock/Stasher for up to 3-4 months. Air fry from frozen (adding a few minutes).
Not at all. The peel is thin and makes for sturdier zucchini fries with added nutrients.
Technically yes, but air frying gets ultra-crispy results (which the oven can't reproduce) in less time, and with less energy used.
Pro Recipe Tips
- Cut even pieces: To ensure even cooking. Slight differences are fine.
- Don't overcrowd the basket: The zucchini fries require airflow to crisp up properly, so avoid overlapping them.
- For extra crispiness: Spray the fries evenly with oil/cooking spray before air frying and eat them right away.
How to Serve Zucchini Fries
Homemade zucchini fries with panko are a delicious, lighter alternative to potato fries. Some of my favorite pairings include:
- On a party spread (with air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings, air fryer pizza rolls, vegan 7-layer dip, chili sauce & grape jelly meatballs, a vegan cheese ball, etc.)
- With dips (vegan cheese sauce, marinara, vegan ranch, vegan garlic mayo, tzatziki, etc.)
- Alongside vegan burgers, plant-based hot dogs, and other grilled plant proteins
- With wraps and sandwiches (like vegan reuben Sandwiches or smashed chickpea salad sandwiches)
- As part of a grain bowl/ buddha bowl
- With crispy roasted sweet potato wedges for a veggie fry platter
Storage Information
It's best to enjoy the vegan zucchini parmesan fries right away, as they become soggy when left to sit. However, refer to below with how best to store them:
Fridge: Store them in a paper-lined, airtight container for 3-4 days.
Freezer: Flash-freeze until solid, then transfer to a Ziplock/Stasher for up to a month. Note that they are more 'soggy' after, so I rarely freeze them.
Reheat: Place in the air fryer for 5-8 minutes, or until crispy again.
More Vegan Air Fryer Recipes
If you tried this air fryer zucchini fries recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
Air Fryer Zucchini Fris
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & get this sent to your inbox! Plus you'll get great new recipes from me every week!
Ingredients
- 2-3 small zucchinis
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 1 cup of unsweetened plain plant-based milk
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 1 cup of panko
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- ½ cup of nutritional yeast
Instructions
- To prep the zucchinis: Trim and discard the tops and ends. Slice the zucchinis in half lengthwise and slice each half into 2 or 3 long spears (depending on how thick the zucchinis are.
- Lay them all flat on a cutting board lined with paper towel or a clean kitchen towel with the skin facing down. Evenly sprinkle the salt and set aside for 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine the plant-based milk, salt, garlic powder, and cornstarch. Mix well and set aside.
- In a large shallow dish, combine the panko, Italian seasoning, and nutritional yeast. Mix well and set aside.
- After 5 minutes, shake the zucchinis to remove any excess salt and water.
- One by one, dip them into the plant milk mixture. Allow them to quickly drip any excess plant-based milk.
- Place it on the dish with the panko mixture, dry your hands, and cover the zucchini with the panko mixture. Press the panko mixture into the zucchini and move the zucchini around to try to get as much panko, Italian seasoning, and the nutritional yeast stuck to it as possible.
- Gently lift the zucchini out of the panko and place it in the basket of an air fryer.
- Repeat the process until the air fryer basket is full. Make sure to leave a little bit of space between the zucchinis. Work in batches.
- Cool in the air fryer for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F. or until golden and crispy.
- Enjoy hot with your favorite sauce.
Notes
- Cut even pieces: To ensure even cooking. Slight differences are fine.
- Don't overcrowd the basket: The zucchini fries require airflow to crisp up properly, so avoid overlapping them.
- For extra crispiness: Spray the fries evenly with oil/cooking spray before air frying and eat them right away.
Andrea says
So easy and tasty!