Air Fryer Zucchini

Ingredients

The Vegetable

• 2 medium Zucchini (Courgette): Look for firm, medium-sized squash. Avoid mammoth zucchini, as they have large seeds and too much water content, which leads to sogginess.
• 1 tsp Kosher Salt: For drawing out moisture.

The Breading Station

• ½ cup All-Purpose Flour: This is the “glue” that helps the egg stick to the vegetable.
• 2 large Eggs: Beaten thoroughly with 1 tablespoon of water.
• 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs: Do not substitute with standard breadcrumbs. Panko is Japanese-style breadcrumb made from crustless bread. It creates a lighter, flakier, and crunchier texture that is essential for air frying.
• ½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a savory, umami punch and helps the browning process.
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• ½ tsp Smoked Paprika: For color and a subtle smokiness.
• ½ tsp Black Pepper
• ¼ tsp Cayenne Pepper (Optional): For a little kick.

The Oil

• Olive Oil or Avocado Oil Spray: You need a spray bottle or a propellant-free oil sprayer. Do not use “Pam” style sprays that contain lecithin, as these can damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer over time.

Optional Dipping Sauces

• Marinara Sauce
• Ranch Dressing
• Lemon Aioli

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Zucchini (The “Sweat”)

1. Time: 10 minutes | Intensity: Low
2. Wash and dry your zucchini. Slice off the stem and the bottom end. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise, then cut each half into spears (roughly 3 inches long and ½ inch thick). You can also cut them into ¼-inch rounds if you prefer “zucchini chips.”
3. Place the zucchini spears in a colander or on a plate lined with paper towels. Sprinkle with the Kosher salt and toss gently. Let them sit for 10 minutes.
4. Why this matters: Zucchini is 95% water. If you skip this step, the water will steam inside the air fryer, blowing the breading off and leaving you with soggy spears. After 10 minutes, use a paper towel to pat the zucchini completely dry. You will be surprised how much water comes out.

Step 2: Set Up the Breading Station

1. Time: 5 minutes | Intensity: Low
2. Set up three shallow bowls or plates.
3. Bowl 1: Add the flour.
4. Bowl 2: Whisk the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water until frothy.
5. Bowl 3: Combine the Panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne (if using). Mix well.

Step 3: The Breading Process

1. Time: 5 minutes | Intensity: Medium
2. Working with one spear at a time, follow this order:
3. Dredge: Coat the zucchini in the flour. Shake off the excess. (This dry layer helps the egg adhere).
4. Dip: Dip the floured zucchini into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated.
5. Press: Roll the zucchini in the Panko mixture. Important: Use your fingers to gently press the crumbs onto the zucchini. Don’t just toss it; press the crumbs in so they stick.
6. Place the breaded spears on a wire rack or a plate. Do not stack them, or they will stick together.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

1. Time: 3 minutes | Intensity: Low
2. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
3. Pro Tip: Preheating is crucial for air fryer vegetables. If you put food into a cold air fryer, the breading will absorb the oil and become gummy before it has a chance to crisp up.

Step 5: The First Air Fry (The Sear)

1. Time: 6 minutes | Intensity: Medium
2. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the zucchini in a single layer in the basket. Do not overcrowd. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will likely need to cook these in two batches. If you overcrowd, the hot air cannot circulate, and the zucchini will steam rather than fry.
3. Spray the tops of the zucchini generously with oil. This is the only oil they will get, so make sure every patch of breading has a little sheen.
4. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 6 minutes .

Step 6: The Flip and Finish

1. Time: 4–6 minutes | Intensity: Low
2. After 6 minutes, pull the basket out. The underside should be golden brown. Flip the zucchini spears over using tongs. Spray the new top side with a little more oil if it looks dry.
3. Return to the air fryer and cook for an additional 4 to 6 minutes at 400°F (200°C) .
4. Visual Cue: They are done when they are deep golden brown and crispy to the touch. The interior zucchini should be tender but not mushy.

Step 7: Serving

1. Time: Immediate | Intensity: Low
2. Remove the zucchini from the air fryer and serve immediately. Air-fried foods lose their crispness quickly as they cool. Serve with warm marinara sauce, a cool ranch dip, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Nutrition

Calories: 180 kcal · Protein: 9g Vitamin D: 0.5mcg Calcium: 120mg Iron: 1.5mg Potassium: 350mg Categories Uncategorized Texas Honeycrisp Jalapeño Pepper Jelly. Homemade Baked Beans Leave a Comment Cancel reply Comment Name Email Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Search Search · Fat: 7g Saturated · Carbohydrates: 19g Dietary · Saturated Fat: 2.5g Trans · Fiber: 2g · Sugar: 3g · Sodium: 420mg