Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini is a quick and easy healthy snack or side dish featuring zucchini rounds seasoned with a flavorful blend of garlic, onion, paprika, and parmesan cheese, cooked to golden perfection in an air fryer for a guilt-free crunch.
- Author: Joe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack, Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Vegetables
- 4 medium zucchinis (about 1.5 pounds)
Seasonings & Oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Optional Toppings
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Prepare Zucchini: Wash and thoroughly dry the zucchinis. Trim off both ends and slice the zucchinis into approximately ¼-inch thick rounds to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Mix Seasonings: In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to create a uniform seasoning blend that will coat the zucchini slices.
- Coat Zucchini: Add the sliced zucchini into the bowl with the seasoning mixture. Toss the slices carefully until each piece is evenly coated, enhancing flavor and aiding in crisping.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to preheat at 400°F (200°C) and allow it to run for about 5 minutes. This step ensures proper cooking temperature for crispy results.
- Arrange Zucchini: Place the seasoned zucchini slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to allow hot air to circulate freely. If necessary, cook in batches.
- Air Fry Zucchini: Cook the zucchini for approximately 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to promote even browning and crispiness. Cook until slices turn golden brown and crispy on the edges.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: If desired, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the zucchini slices during the last 2 minutes of air frying. This will melt the cheese lightly and add savory flavor.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the crispy zucchini from the air fryer and let them cool slightly to firm up before serving. Enjoy as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.
Notes
- Make sure zucchini slices are dry before seasoning to achieve the best crispiness.
- Cut slices uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket to prevent soggy results; cook in batches if needed.
- For a dairy-free option, omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with a vegan alternative.
- Adjust seasoning quantities to your taste preferences.
- Serve immediately for best texture, as zucchini crisps may soften over time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 3 oz of zucchini slices)
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
Keywords: air fryer zucchini, crispy zucchini, healthy zucchini snack, air fryer vegetable recipe, low calorie snack, Parmesan zucchini