Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips are a crispy and healthy way to enjoy delicious summer squash! With only a handful of ingredients, you can have these air-fried little bites ready in no time cooked in your air fryer instead of in oil.

I remember the first time I tried fried zucchini. It was with my dad and I couldn't understand why he was excited to eat vegetables.

And then I tried one. It was dipped in ranch, of course, and after that, I couldn't stop. I'm pretty sure I ate the entire plate and asked for more. And from that day on, I have loved and craved fried zucchini.

Jump to:

• Why I Love This Recipe
• Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
• How to Make Fried Zucchini in the Air Fryer
• What to Serve With Air Fried Zucchini
• What Type of Air Fryer I Use
• Can I Make These in the Oven?
• Expert Tips and Tricks
• Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
• Did you Make Some Air Fried Zucchini Chips?

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe for Air Fryer Zucchini Chips because they taste as close to the fried version as possible, are better for you, and are pretty easy to make. Air frying the breaded zucchini makes them crispy and crunchy without all of the oil.

I also love this recipe because it's a great way to use up that summer zucchini growing in your garden or that your neighbor gave you. This recipe makes the a delicious and healthier alternative to deep-fried snacks.

If you are looking for more zucchini recipes, check out my Air Fryer Zucchini Pesto Bites and my Air Fryer Zucchini Pizza Bites!

Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

Zucchini - has a mild and slightly sweet flavor making it versatile in a variety of dishes, including air-fried zucchini. Zucchini is also a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as dietary fiber.

Panko bread crumbs - are light, airy, and have a crisp texture. They provide a crunchy coating to the zucchini, adding a satisfying bite to the dish.

Parmesan cheese - adds a savory and nutty flavor to the zucchini and enhances the overall taste and complements the other ingredients.

Salt and pepper - are fundamental to enhance the flavor of the zucchini and help to balance the taste. They also bring out the natural sweetness of the vegetable.

Egg - serves as a binding agent for the panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese coating.

Cooking spray - is used to prevent the zucchini from sticking to the air fryer basket or tray. It also helps in achieving a crispy and golden-brown exterior. You can use any type of cooking spray oil you like.

How to Make Fried Zucchini in the Air Fryer

Slice your zucchini in ¼" rounds. Combine the panko, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix together. Add the egg to another bowl and beat with a fork or a whisk.

Dip a zucchini slice into the egg mixture and then into the panko mixture, pressing down each side to get as much coating as possible to stick.

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 2-3 minutes. Spray the basket of the air fryer with non-stick spray, place as many zucchini slices as you can in the basket and spray the top of the zucchini as well.

Cook for 8 minutes. Flip each slice over with tongs, spray again, and cook for an additional 4 minutes.

Remove the slices from the basket and continue cooking the rest of the zucchini slices. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy right away.

What to Serve With Air Fried Zucchini

Fried Zucchini Chips are awesome because you can dip them in so many things! I most recently dipped mine in Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing (seen below), but I also like to dip them in regular ranch dressing or marinara sauce.

What Type of Air Fryer I Use

I have the COSORI Air Fryer and I love it. It does take up some counter space so make sure you have room for it. If you want a smaller option, check out the COSORI Small Air Fryer or an attachment for the Instant Pot.

There are so many different types of air fryers out there now, and each one is slightly different. There are countertop air fryers, air fryer ovens, and air fryer attachments to name a few. Whatever air fryer you use, remember every air fryer will cook a little differently.

Can I Make These in the Oven?

Yes, you can make zucchini chips in the oven! Preheat the oven to 425°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Follow the instructions for coating the zucchini slices and place each one on parchment paper.

Spray the zucchini with non-stick spray or drizzle with a small amount of olive oil to help with the crisping. Bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through until they are golden brown.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• When breading the zucchini, make sure you press on both sides with your hands to get as much of the panko mix to stick.
• Preheating your air fryer is not a necessity (unless otherwise noted by your manufacturer). However, it definitely helps speed up the cooking time and helps cook the food evenly.
• Air Fryer Zucchini Chips are best when eaten right away while they are still hot. They become less crispy the longer they sit.
• Non-stick spray is a must-have when air frying so don’t skip it. Not only does it help the food from sticking to the basket, but it also aids in the crisping of whatever food you are air frying. You can use vegetable oil, olive oil, avocado oil, or whatever oil spray you like.
• Cooking times and temperatures may vary due to variations in equipment and may require adjustments.

Did you Make Some Air Fried Zucchini Chips?

If you make these Air Fryer Zucchini Chips, tag me in a photo on Instagram or Facebook. And don’t forget to leave a comment below 😁.  

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