Description
Crispy air fryer zucchini fries are a healthier snack or side dish, coated in a flavorful breadcrumb mixture. Perfectly golden and served with your favorite dipping sauce, they offer a delicious alternative to traditional fries.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray
- Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
- Marinara sauce or ranch dressing (for dipping)
Instructions
- Wash the zucchinis thoroughly under cold water and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Cut off the ends of each zucchini and slice them into sticks about 1/4 inch thick.
- Place the zucchini sticks on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels, sprinkle with salt, and let them sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- Prepare your breading station with three shallow bowls:
- First bowl: all-purpose flour.
- Second bowl: whisked eggs.
- Third bowl: breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Pat the zucchini sticks dry with a towel to remove excess moisture.
- Dip each zucchini stick into the flour, shaking off excess.
- Dip the floured zucchini into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off.
- Roll the zucchini stick in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat for all sticks.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Place the breaded zucchini fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding.
- Lightly spray the tops of the zucchini fries with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. They should be golden brown and crispy when done.
- Carefully remove the zucchini fries from the air fryer and place them on a serving platter.
- Optionally, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the hot fries.
- Serve immediately with marinara sauce or ranch dressing.
Notes
- For a spicy kick, mix cayenne pepper into the breadcrumb mixture.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour and use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Experiment with different seasonings in the breadcrumb mixture for customized flavors.
- Store leftover zucchini fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheat in the air fryer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes