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Crunchy, cheesy goodness in these simple 3 Cheese Air Fryer Fried Zucchini. No one can turn down an air fired veggie, right? These whip up in about 20 minutes and are a great appetizer or side dish to pair with dinner. Even the kids will enjoy these crispy goodies!
I have only had an air fryer for about a month or so but I have already found my very favorite thing EVER to make in it.
These crispy, cheesy Air Fryer fried zucchini chips or rounds– or whatever they should be called– are my favorite thing right now. I am literally putting zucchini on my grocery order every week these days.
While I was skeptic of the air fryer in the beginning, I am finding it makes some recipes so simple and a breeze to make. I am not a huge fan of deep fried foods (I love them, they just don’t always love me…) but I am a big fan of the crunch. So the air fryer gives you the best of both worlds.
Since zucchini season is pretty much in full swing, everywhere you turn, you can find a neighbor, a farmer’s market and more swimming in zucchini. Go ahead and offer to take some of those off their hands and start cranking out these air fryer zucchini on the daily!
If you are interested in what else I have tried in the air fryer, so far I have made an amazing Air Fryer Hamburger as well as Coconut Shrimp. Both actually would go well with this recipe as well come to think of it!
Oh, and now I also have these INSANE Crispy Parmesan Potato Wedges as well.
Ingredients and Swaps:
- I have made this air fryer fried zucchini recipe with a mozzarella, parmesan and romano blend as well as another that was parmesan, asiago and romano. Both options were amazing, but I actually think I prefer the addition of the mozzarella. I mean, there is also no one sitting here saying you couldn’t do a 4 cheese blend, right??
- If your zucchini is pretty large and thick, you may need 2 eggs for this air fryer zucchini.
- Gluten free panko will work just fine if you need to skip the gluten in this recipe for any reason.
How to make air fryer fried zucchini:
- Combine the cheeses, panko, salt, garlic and pepper in a bowl. Set aside. Slice zucchini about 1/4 inch thickness round pieces and set aside as well. (steps 1 and 2)
- Whisk an egg in a shallow bowl and set up an assembly line to coat each of your zucchini pieces. (step 3)
- Dip a zucchini slice into the egg to fully coat. Allow any excess egg to drip off and then dunk the zucchini into the cheese and panko mixture and cover generously on both sides. I definitely scoop a little extra on top so as to really get it all on there. (steps 4 and 5)
- Lay the coated zucchini slices in the air fryer basket that has been sprayed with oil. You can work in batches as needed. They don’t have to be super spread out, but try not to let the pieces touch so it is easier to flip. (step 6)
- So not all air fryers are created equally I am learning. My friend did a bunch of testing on different brands and found that they all heat up and cook a tad faster or slower than others. My air fryer heats up in seconds and literally cooks everything SO FAST. Just keep an eye on things and you will be fine. I cook mine on 350°F for about 4 minutes on each side. I suggest checking the zucchini at 4 minutes. If they aren’t super brown, give it another minute or so and then flip. Cook another 3-4 minutes on the other side. Enjoy immediately for the most crunch! (step 7)
Notes and Tips:
- Keep an eye on your zucchini until you feel like you know your air fryer. Mine cooks things SO FAST. It also preheats in seconds. Once you do the first round, you will have a better feel for how quickly yours will cook.
- Yellow squash will cook the same as this fried zucchini. Feel free to sub out or add yellow squash to the air fryer as well.
- You don’t want to go too thin on the zucchini slices. This will make for some flimsy zucchini. Aim for about 1/4 inch or as close as you can!
- You can certainly opt for grated cheese for more of an even coating of your zucchini. I like the use of shredded cheese in this air fryer fried zucchini.
What to serve this recipe with:
- Sun-Dried Tomato, Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers: this is my favorite pairing with these for sure!
- Baked Breaded Chicken Tenders: Not chicken fingers and fries, but still a great option!
- Spinach Ricotta Chicken: similar flavors in both recipes so clearly a match!
- 15 Minute Steak Sheet Pan Dinner — you could skip the broccoli or do both with this. But these air fried zucchini would go so well with a steak!
Try these other zucchini recipes:
- Simple Pasta Salad with Grilled Zucchini
- Cheesy Zucchini Tots
- Zucchini Oat Bars
- Zucchini Bread Pancakes
- Spinach and Zucchini Egg Muffins
- Zucchini Bread Overnight Oats
- Beef and Zucchini Meatballs
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3 Cheese Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini
Ingredients
- 1 med/large zucchini
- 1 c panko
- ¾ c 3 cheese blend (romano, parmesan, mozzarella)*
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cracked pepper
- ¼ – ½ tsp sea salt, more or less to taste
Instructions
- Combine the cheese, panko, salt, garlic and pepper in a bowl. Mix and set aside. Slice zucchini about into 1/4 inch thick round pieces and set aside as well. Whisk an egg in a shallow bowl and set up an assembly line to coat each of your zucchini pieces: egg, cheese and panko mixture, and air fryer basket.
- Dip a zucchini slice into the bowl with the egg to fully coat and allow any excess egg to drip off. Place the zucchini into the cheese and panko mixture and cover generously on both sides, scooping a little extra on top so as to really get it all on there. Lay the coated zucchini slices in the air fryer basket that has been sprayed with oil. You can work in batches as needed. Make sure the zucchini slices do not touch for easier flipping.
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F. Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for about 4 minutes (or until the cheese and panko are golden brown on the top of the zucchini) and then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Keep a close eye for the first batch to make sure you don't burn them–I checked in at 3 minutes and then gave them another minute.
- Enjoy immediately as is, or these are DELICIOUS dipped in marinara sauce!
Notes
- Reiterating what I mentioned before: keep an eye on your zucchini until you feel like you know your air fryer. Mine cooks things SO FAST. It also preheats in seconds. Once you do the first round, you will have a better feel for how quickly yours will cook.
- I am pretty sure yellow squash would be amazing as well if you have some as well!
- You don’t want to go too thin on the zucchini slices. This will make for some flimsy zucchini. Aim for about 1/4 inch or as close as you can!
- You can certainly opt for grated cheese for more of an even coating of your zucchini. I like the use of shredded cheese in this air fryer zucchini.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I made these with zucchini from my garden and they make the perfect appetizer or side dish. So yummy!
Making me miss my garden. Haven’t done zucchini the past two years and need to get back on it next year. So glad you loved them!!