Air Fryer Zucchini is easy to make with fresh zucchini slices seasoned with garlic powder and air-fried to crispy perfection. It’s an easy snack, side dish or appetizer and pairs well with your favorite protein. Naturally gluten-free, low carb, keto, vegan, paleo and Whole30 friendly.
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Crispy Air Fried Zucchini Rounds
Craving a crispy, savory snack while you’re trying to eat healthy? If that sounds like something you need in your life, you’re going to love this crispy Air Fryer Zucchini.
There are tons of tempting munchies out there that aren’t good for you, from highly-processed potato chips to sodium-heavy popcorn. Even snacks that comply with special diets often contain undesired ingredients!
That’s why it’s so important to have quick and easy snacks that you can make yourself – snacks that satisfy your cravings while supplying your body with vital nutrients in the process.
Each garlicky little round is an absolute treat to bite into. The crispiness is simply divine! And when it gives way to the juicy interior, you’ll be grabbing a second-round faster than you can swallow the first. No other munchie could compare!
Why We Love This Veggie Side
You may think we’re biased, but we do have the ability to see the flaws in what we make – and this air-fried zucchini truly doesn’t have any. The more you look, the more you find to love!
- It’s packed with nutrients like Vitamin K, Vitamin C, protein, fiber, and various minerals.
- It uses very little oil while still giving you that fried food goodness.
- It works with vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, paleo, low carb/keto, and Whole30 diets.
- You can customize it with any seasonings of your choice.
- It comes together in 20 minutes with minimal ingredients.
What You’ll Need
Let’s zero in on the ingredients that make this healthy side dish possible. The lineup is flexible to what you have on hand!
- Medium-Sized Zucchini: Washed and dried.
- Avocado Oil: Or olive oil.
- Fine Grain Sea Salt: Or kosher salt, added to taste.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: We like to use a little extra pepper as a garnish at the end.
- Garlic Powder: For depth of flavor.
- Fresh Chopped Parsley: To garnish the dish.
- Lemon Wedge: Optional, for serving.
How to Make Air Fryer Zucchini
You’ll need to fry your zucchini in batches to achieve the best results. This way, all of the rounds will have enough room to get nice and crispy.
Preheat Air Fryer if Needed: If your Air Fryer requires preheating, preheat it to 390°F.
Cut Zucchini: Trim off the ends of the zucchini if you’d like, then cut the zucchini into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
Season: Add the zucchini coins to a large mixing bowl and drizzle them with oil. Season them with salt, black pepper and garlic powder, tossing to thoroughly coat each round.
Cook in Batches: Add the zucchini rounds to your Air Fryer basket and spread them out in a single layer. Air fry them for 9-15 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and cooked through, flipping the zucchini and shaking the basket halfway through. Cook for 2 minutes more if you prefer your zucchini a little more charred. Repeat with any remaining rounds.
Garnish & Serve: Transfer the cooked zucchini coins to a serving bowl and garnish them with parsley, black pepper and a lemon wedge.
Tips for Success
Before you grab your Air Fryer and slice up that zucchini, take a look at the helpful hints below.
- Rinse & Dry the Zucchini: As with any fruit or vegetable, it’s important to give your zucchini a good rinse before you work with it. This removes any dirt or pesticides that may be present. Don’t forget to pat your zucchini dry with a paper towel after you rinse it off.
- Cut the Rounds Evenly: Be sure to cut each zucchini coin with an even thickness to ensure that they all cook at the same rate.
- Know Your Air Fryer: Some Air Fryers require preheating while others don’t. Refer to the instruction manual for your model if you’re uncertain.
- Use Tongs to Flip: Instead of flipping over the zucchini rounds with your fingers, handle them using tongs. Otherwise, you could burn yourself.
Flavor Variations
Want to play around with other flavors? Start with one of the following ideas!
- Cheesy Zucchini: After your zucchini rounds are cooked to your liking, sprinkle on some vegan parmesan or crumbled vegan feta for a cheesy twist.
- Garlic & Herb Zucchini: Any fresh herbs would taste great with these crispy zucchini coins. Try adding chopped mint, chives, thyme or dill!
- Spicy Zucchini: Crushed red pepper flakes are a wonderful seasoning option if you’re looking to add some heat to your zucchini. Start off with just a little bit, then add more to taste if needed.
- Everything Zucchini: Everything bagel seasoning has recently exploded in popularity, and for good reason. It adds great flavor to tons of different dishes, including this Air Fryer zucchini.
Serving Suggestions
Zucchini goes so well with so many things! We love serving it alongside this Flaky Pan-Seared Salmon or some Classic Grilled Chicken. If you’re looking for a completely plant-based meal, we highly suggest pairing your air-fried zucchini with this easy Baked Feta Pasta. So yummy!
Storage and Reheating
Let any leftover zucchini cool completely before you store it. Once it has fully cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it. Enjoy leftover zucchini within 2 days.
You can either reheat your zucchini rounds in the oven or the Air Fryer. To warm them up in the oven, place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake them at 350°F until they’re heated through. To reheat them in the Air Fryer, simply Air Fry your zucchini rounds at 350°F until they’re warmed through.
Can I Freeze This?
Since cooked zucchini tends to get mushy after being frozen and thawed, we prefer to freeze our zucchini before we cook it. To do this, simply store the uncooked zucchini in a freezer-safe storage bag and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it out in the fridge overnight before cutting and air frying it.
If you’d like to toss your cooked zucchini into smoothies or soups, then freezing it is actually not a bad option. Flash-freeze the cooled zucchini coins on a baking sheet for 30 minutes, or until they’re hard. Once they’re frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag and store them for up to 3 months. Reheat the zucchini directly from frozen, increasing the cook time by a couple of minutes.How to cut zucchini
More Healthy Zucchini Recipes
In the mood for more zucchini? Whip up these easy dishes next!
Air Fryer Zucchini is easy to make with fresh zucchini slices seasoned with garlic powder and air-fried to crispy perfection. An easy snack, side dish or appetizer and pairs well with your favorite protein. Naturally gluten-free, low carb, keto, vegan, paleo and Whole30 friendly.
- 2 medium zucchini about 1 lb, washed and dried
- ½ tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt or kosher salt or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or more to taste, plus more for garnish
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Fresh chopped parsley for serving
- Lemon wedge for serving
If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat to 390°F.
Trim the ends of the zucchini if desired and cut into ½” thick rounds/coins.
- Add the zucchini to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with oil. Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder and toss to thoroughly coat.
- Working in batches, add the zucchini rounds to the air fryer basket spreading them in a single layer.
Air fry for 9-15 minutes or until the zucchini is golden brown and cooked through, flipping the zucchini and shaking the basket halfway through (time will vary depending on your air fryer). Cook for 2 minutes more if you prefer your zucchini a little more charred. Repeat with any remaining zucchini.
- Transfer to a serving bowl, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley, freshly cracked black pepper and a lemon wedge.
Recipe Video
To Store: Refrigerate leftover zucchini in an airtight storage container for up to 2 days.
To Reheat:
- In the Oven: Place leftover zucchini onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 5-10 minutes (or until warm), flipping halfway through.
- In the Air Fryer: Place leftover zucchini in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 2-3 minutes, or until warm. Flip halfway through.
To Freeze: Allow zucchini to cool completely, then place rounds on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Place pan in the freezer for 30 minutes, or until rounds are hard. Transfer frozen rounds to a resealable freezer bag or another airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen, increasing cook time as needed.
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