This is the BEST air fryer zucchini you will ever try! Summer fresh zucchini cooks up with a crispy seasoned coating giving each piece nice edges with a bit of crunch, while the zucchini is tender without turning to mush!

What we love about this recipe is that it goes with just about everything! Serve it up with cheesy ranch chicken and instant pot mashed potatoes for a complete meal! It’s a great way to get kids to eat veggies especially when served with our pressure cooker macaroni and cheese. If you love zucchini, then definitely check out these zucchini ranch fries!

Zucchini in the air fryer on a plate with crispy edges.

Why You’ll Love Zucchini in the Air Fryer!

  • Zucchini cooks up lightly crispy and so delicious!
  • An easy way to roast zucchini without turning on the oven!
  • Mostly hands-free cooking so you can work on preparing other dishes for dinner.
  • Kid-friendly veggie to please even the pickiest eater!
Ingredients to make zucchini air fryer on the table.

Ingredients

  • Zucchini: Fresh zucchini is the best! Choose zucchini that are firm and have unwrinkled skin.
  • Oil: We recommend using avocado oil or olive oil. 
  • Breadcrumbs: We’re a huge fan of panko, the ultra-crispy Japanese breadcrumbs but you can use regular breadcrumbs as well.
  • Parmesan cheese: Adds deep cheesy flavor to the crispy seasoned breadcrumb mixture tossed with the zucchini.
  • Seasoning: A blend of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper infuses the zucchini with flavor as it cooks.
A collage of steps to make air fried zucchini from zucchini in the bowl, mixing the seasoning, toss it, and in the air fryer basket.

How To Cook Zucchini in the Air Fryer

  1. Cut. The zucchini into even chunks and place them in a bowl. Drizzle the oil over the zucchini in the bowl.
  2. Mix. The panko, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.
  3. Sprinkle. The seasoning mixture over the zucchini and toss with a spatula until all the zucchini is coated.
  4. Place. The zucchini into the air fryer basket without overfilling the basket. Cook for five minutes in the preheated air fryer. Remove the basket and shake the zucchini around. Cook until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the zucchini is tender but not mushy.

PRO TIP: Depending on how large you cut your zucchini and the size of your air fryer you may need to cook in separate batches. 

Zucchini in the air fryer basket after cooking with browned edges.

Tips & Variations

  • Don’t overcrowd. For crispy zucchini don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Air needs to circulate around the zucchini to make it crispy so if necessary cook the zucchini in batches.
  • Crispiest zucchini. Use panko breadcrumbs rather than regular ones for crispier results.
  • Skip the breading. If you need these to be lower-carb or gluten-free, you can leave out the breadcrumbs and simply toss in the cheese and spices. The zucchini won’t be quite as crisp but will have a wonderful flavor.
  • Change the seasoning. Replace the paprika and garlic powder with your favorite seasoning blend such as Cajun seasoning or Italian seasoning.
A paper lined oval dish filled with crispy zucchini.

Recipe FAQ

Why is my air fryer zucchini mushy?

The two common causes are overcooking the zucchini and overcrowding the air fryer basket. Make sure to move the zucchini around after cooking for five minutes. Then, in the last bit of cooking check frequently for doneness so it doesn’t overcook.

Do you have to add oil to an air fryer for vegetables?

Yes and no. Many vegetables will cook up without oil or using significantly less oil in the air fryer. However, in this recipe, the oil adds flavor and also aids in crisping up the breadcrumb seasoning so we recommend not leaving it out.

A basket of seasoned zucchini.

Storing

  • Store. Leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Keep in mind, that air-fried zucchini is really best served fresh.
  • Reheat. In the air fryer for 3-5 minutes to crisp the edges and heat them up.

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Air fryer zucchini with crispy coating on a white plate.
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Servings: 4

Air Fryer Zucchini

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes
This is the BEST air fryer zucchini you will ever try! Summer fresh zucchini cooks up with a crispy seasoned coating giving each piece nice edges with a bit of crunch, while the zucchini is tender without turning to mush!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
 

  • 3 small/medium zucchini
  • 2 Tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
  • 2 ½ Tablespoons panko or breadcrumbs
  • 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2-3 minutes.
  • Slice and cube the zucchini into about ¾” chunks.
  • Place zucchini chunks in a bowl and coat with avocado/olive oil.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the panko/breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the zucchini and toss to evenly coat the zucchini.
  • Place zucchini into the air fryer basket, try not to overfill the basket. Depending on how large you cut your zucchini you may need to do 2 batches.
  • Cook for 5 minutes, shake the zucchini, and then cook for another 2-4 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the zucchini is tender (not mushy).

Notes

  • Don’t overcrowd. For crispy zucchini don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Air needs to circulate around the zucchini to make it crispy so if necessary cook the zucchini in batches.
  • Crispiest zucchini. Use panko breadcrumbs rather than regular ones for crispier results.
  • Skip the breading. If you need these to be lower-carb or gluten-free, you can leave out the breadcrumbs and simply toss in the cheese and spices. The zucchini won’t be quite as crisp but will have a wonderful flavor.
  • Change the seasoning. Replace the paprika and garlic powder with your favorite seasoning blend such as Cajun seasoning or Italian seasoning.
  • Store. Leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Keep in mind, that air-fried zucchini is really best served fresh.
  • Reheat. In the air fryer for 3-5 minutes to crisp the edges and heat them up.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 132kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 3mg, Sodium: 706mg, Potassium: 430mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 575IU, Vitamin C: 26mg, Calcium: 72mg, Iron: 1mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Side Dish
Author: Jennifer
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