These Air Fryer Zucchini Pesto Bites are low-carb, keto-friendly, easy to make, and delicious! These bites come together in about 15 minutes and can be used as a snack, appetizer, or light meal.
Summer is my favorite season for a lot of reasons but one of the biggest reasons is all of the fresh produce we get from our gardens, farmer's markets, or the grocery store!
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Why I Love This Recipe
Everyone knows when zucchinis are in season, neighbors are trying to give them away and they get much larger on the shelves. These mini Air Fryer Zucchini Pesto Bites are the perfect solution to using up some of that summer zucchini.
This recipe is keto-friendly, low-carb, kid-friendly, and healthy! And it comes together in about 15 minutes so really you have no excuse not to make these delicious bites.
If you love zucchini and want another easy recipe, check out my Air Fryer Zucchini Pizza Bites as well! They are similar to this recipe and you can add any topping you want.
How to Make Air Fryer Pesto Zucchini Bites
Slice the zucchini into ¼" rounds and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for 2 minutes.
Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray and carefully place as many zucchini slices as you can fit in the basket. Cook at 350° for 4 minutes.
Using tongs, remove each zucchini slice from the air fryer. Top each slice with pesto, cheese, and tomato halves.
Place the slices back in the air fryer and cook at 350°F for another 4-5 minutes. Remove from the air fryer using the tongs and allow the pesto bites to cool before enjoying.
Make your Own Pesto or Use Store-Bought
Homemade pesto is so easy to make and adds another fresh element to this recipe. Check out my recipes for how to make your own pesto.
You can make Almond Pesto or Carrot Greens Pesto for a twist on the classic recipe. Of course, you can also use your favorite store-bought pesto and these pesto bites will still turn out delicious.
Which Air Fryer I Use to Make Pesto Bites
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.
Expert Tips for Air Frying Zucchini Bites
- If you want a fresh element to these zucchini bites, add some freshly chopped basil on top before serving.
- These Zucchini Pesto Bites will become soggy if you let them sit too long. They also are not good for leftovers. Make sure you eat these little bites right away, this is not a recipe to make ahead of time.
- The first step of softening the zucchini before adding the toppings is an important step to get the zucchini to be just the right texture for these pesto bites.
- Preheating your air fryer is not always necessary (unless otherwise noted by your manufacturer), but it helps with even cooking and speeds up overall cooking time.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use any type of zucchini for this recipe, but it's best to choose small to medium-sized zucchini as they tend to be more tender and have fewer seeds.
Yes, you can substitute pizza sauce for the pesto sauce in this recipe. Use your favorite store-bought sauce or make your own!
Feel free to get creative with toppings. You can add meat, other vegetables, or fresh herbs.
Absolutely! Use vegan cheese or nutritional yeast as a cheese substitute and opt for plant-based toppings.
Air Fryer Zucchini Pesto Bites
Equipment
- tongs
- aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced in ¼" rounds
- salt and pepper for sprinkling
- ½ cup pesto sauce
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced (I used pre-sliced from Bel Gioioso)
- 12 small cherry tomatoes, cut in half
Instructions
- Slice the zucchini into ¼" rounds and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Preheat your air fryer at 350°F for 2 minutes.
- Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray and carefully place as many zucchini slices as you can fit in the basket. Cook at 350° for 4 minutes.
- Using tongs, remove each zucchini slice from the air fryer. Top each slice with pesto, cheese, and a tomato half.
- Place the slices back in the air fryer and cook at 350°F for another 4-5 minutes. Remove from the air fryer using the tongs and allow the zucchini bites to cool before enjoying.
Notes
- These Zucchini Pesto Bites will become soggy if you let them sit too long. They also are not good for leftovers. Make sure you eat these little bites right away, this is not a recipe to make ahead of time.
- The first step of softening the zucchini before adding the toppings is an important step to get the zucchini to be just the right texture for these zucchini bites.
- Preheating your air fryer is not always necessary (unless otherwise noted by your manufacturer), but it helps with even cooking and speeds up overall cooking time.
- 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 you are air frying. You can use vegetable oil, olive oil, avocado oil, or whatever oil spray you like.
- Aluminum foil is also a handy tool when air frying for easier clean-up. You will get some residual oil spray at the bottom of your air fryer as well as some food that may fall off. Use a small piece of foil to catch as much as you can.
- Cooking times and temperatures may vary due to variations in equipment and may require adjustments
- Always read the instruction manual that came with your Air Fryer and follow all safety guidelines.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Did You Make This Recipe?
If you make these Air Fryer Zucchini Pesto Bites, don’t forget to leave a comment below. You can also tag me on Instagram and Facebook if you snap a pic.
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Connie says
What a clever way to enjoy zucchini. Anything pesto has my attention!
Emily says
Thanks, Connie, and I totally agree! Pesto makes everything better!😁
Chef Dennis says
My family will surely love these Air Fryer Zucchini Pesto Bites!
Emily says
I hope they love it!
amanda says
Such a tasty recipe to use for my zucchini!
Sabrina says
So easy and delicious! Great recipe, thanks!