Super Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Key Ingredients 

You likely already have most of these simple ingredients. Here's what you'll need: 

• Zucchinis. I used about 3 medium zucchinis to make about 40 fries. Use more or less, depending on how many fries you'd like to make. You'll want these washed, with the top and bottom ends trimmed off.
• Salt. The salt in this recipe is extremely important as we'll use it to help the zucchinis "sweat" out some of their moisture. A drier zucchini equals crispier fries. 
• Flour. This serves as the first base of the coating and helps the egg wash adhere better to the zucchinis. 
• Eggs. The second layer of batter.
• Panko bread crumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Panko breadcrumbs add the crunch, while the parmesan, garlic powder, and paprika give these fries some great flavor. 
• Olive oil cooking spray. You can actually use any kind of oil you want; the most important thing here is that you use it in spray form, as it will give the zucchini fries a very thin layer of oil to help them crisp up even more in the air fryer. 

Substitutions and Variations

There are lots of different ways to swap things out or mix it up if you need to. Here are some options:

• Make air fryer zucchini chips instead. Fries not your thing? Chop the zucchini into thin rounds instead. (Note, this is actually nice if you're making these for a large crowd, as you can make more individual pieces.)
• Flavor adds. Different seasonings can give these veggie fries a different flavor. Try Italian seasoning, black pepper, cayenne, rosemary, or even a curry powder for a completely different take. 
• Veggie Subs. Even if you don't have zucchini overtaking your garden, you can still use this method to create delicious veggie fries. Try yellow squash, eggplant, carrots, or parsnips as a sub for the zucchini. (Also try this recipe for carrot and parsnip fries made in the oven!)
• Dietary Swaps. It's also easy to alter this recipe based on your dietary needs:
  • Make it gluten-free. Use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour. 
  • Make it vegan. You can use a store-bought egg substitute or try mixing 2 tablespoon of milk with 6 tablespoon of a plant-based milk instead of the two eggs listed here.

How To Make Zucchini Fries In The Air Fryer - Step By Step Instructions

You'll need an air fryer, 3 shallow bowls for breading, and paper towels for this recipe.  Here's how to make these air fryer zucchini fries.

1. Preheat the air fryer.  Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
2. Prep the zucchini.  Cut your zucchini sticks into equal pieces. You don't want to make the sticks too thick since it will make the breading hard to stick and the fries may dry out quickly in the air fryer. Conversely, you don't want them too thick or they'll be soggy in the middle.  I try to make mine about ½ inch thick and 3 inches long. This gives me roughly 12-15 "fries" per zucchini

3. Sweat the zucchini sticks. Place the cut zucchini in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Allow the zucchini strips to sit for 15-20 minutes to draw the moisture out of them, then pat well with a paper towel and set aside. 

4. Set up the breading station. Add the flour to a shallow bowl. In a second bowl, add the beaten eggs. And to the third bowl, mix your breading mixture (panko, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and paprika),

5. Bread the zucchini. Follow this order to bread each zucchini fry: Dip the zucchini strip into the flour (this should be just a light coating - shake the zucchini strip to remove any excess flour), then dip the zucchini into the egg wash.  Finally, dip the zucchini fry into the panko mixture, pressing gently to help the breadcrumb mixture adhere to the fry.  Place aside and repeat with all zucchini fries. 

6. Air fry. Place the fries in a single layer in your air fryer basket, and be careful not to overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to air fry these in a couple of batches. Lightly spray the fries with olive oil spray and then cook the fries at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The fries should be a nice golden brown color when finished. 

7. Serve. Serve these with your favorite dipping sauce! (See options below.)

Tips For Extra Crispy Zucchini Fries

Want the crispiest zucchini fries? Follow these tips for the best results:

• Water is not your friend. This is why we salt and drain the zucchini fries prior to breading them. Be sure to pat the zucchini dry as much as possible after it's drained in the colander. 
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. You need to leave some room for the air to circulate and "fry" the zucchini strips. 
• Use cooking spray. Spritzing the fries with a spray of olive oil or avocado oil (even canola oil works) gives them just enough of a coating to help them crisp up nicely.

Best Sauces For Zucchini Fries

Is it just me, or are the dips sometimes even more exciting than the main dish? I love experimenting with these different flavors - here are a few options to try that go great with the crispy fries (with quick recipes included!). 

• A classic garlic aioli. Combine ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything together in a small bowl until smooth and chill for at least 10 minutes prior to serving.
• Easy marinara sauce. Use a jarred sauce, or combine the following: 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (or my easy spaghetti sauce seasoning), and a pinch of salt & pepper. Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool slightly prior to serving.
• Ranch dressing.  Use a store-bought ranch dip or combine ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoon milk, ½ teaspoon dried dill, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, and a pinch of salt & pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth.
• Creamy dill dip. Mix ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon chopped, fresh dill, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Chill for at least 10 minutes before serving. 
• Chipotle mayo. Combine ½ cup mayonnaise, 1-2 teaspoon chipotle in adobo sauce (chopped), and 1 teaspoon lime juice in a bowl. Stir everything until it's fully mixed. (Add more chipotle for extra heat). 
• Honey mustard dip. Whisk ¼ cup Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoon honey, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust the honey or mustard to taste. 
• BBQ sauce. Use a favorite store-bought brand, or whip up this quick version. In a small saucepan, add 1 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Simmer for 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove and allow to cool completely before serving.  

How To Serve Zucchini Fries

• As a side dish. Serve alongside smash burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches for a healthy alternative to fries or chips.
• Perfect for game day. These fries, served with a smattering of dips are perfect for a laid-back party.  
• A great app all on its own. My kids also love these as a healthy snack mid-afternoon or after school. (And it helps me sneak more veggies into their diet!)

Storage & Reheating Tips

If you have any leftovers (doubtful!), store them in an airtight container for about 2-3 days in the fridge. Alternatively, you freeze them (a great make-ahead idea!) by placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and placing them in the freezer for about 2-3 hours. Once frozen, place them in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

To reheat, use your air fryer!  Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees, and reheat for about 5-8 minutes until they return to their glorious crispy selves!

Frequently Asked Questions