Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Make these easy, healthy, quick air fryer zucchini fries for upcoming parties or snack cravings. These are healthier alternatives to potato fries and perfectly party-friendly appetizers as well.

Zucchini is a healthy vegetable. This contains a lot of water along with plenty of vitamins and minerals. This low-carb vegetable suits many diets like the keto diet, paleo, etc. Read more on the health facts of zucchini here.

Zucchini or courgette is a summer squash. These are a bit underrated vegetables as compared to their benefits. You would love these air fryer summer squash, air fryer zucchini, air fryer broccoli and cauliflower. If you love zucchini, you must read my vegan zucchini recipes here.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

These air fryer zucchini fries are so good you will love them, too. No doubt these are healthier alternatives to traditional deep-fried potato fries. This is one of the best appetizers you can serve your family or the crowd for parties and get-togethers. Add the fries to your list of vegan appetizers.

These zucchini fries not only make great party appetizers but also are too easy to make. You can make them in the oven or an air fryer. However, the air fryer has a few more benefits, such as quicker than the oven ones. Also, you can make them completely oil-free. These zucchini fries are vegan. You can make them gluten-free as well, with a few substitutions.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Ingredients you will need:-

Zucchini - you can also add summer squash or yellow squash. For fries, cut them vertically like fingers.

Refined flour + Corn starch:- This will replace the eggwash mixture. You can also substitute with only cornstarch slurry for a gluten-free option.

Plant-based milk:- required to mix with flour. It can substitute with normal water as well.

Seasonings:- Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning/ herb mix. or oregano, parsley, salt, pepper, paprika,/ cayenne pepper.

Bread Crumbs:- Panko bread crumbs are best for making them crispy. Regular white breadcrumbs or brown breadcrumbs will work too. However, you can take a mix of regular breadcrumbs and panko crumbs. For gluten-free zucchini fries, take brown rice crumbs or any gluten-free crumbs.

Avocado Oil:- To spray or brush oil on fries

Instructions to make zucchini fries in an air fryer -

Rinse the zucchini nicely. Remove the top and tail end. Cut the zucchini into wedges. Prepare the batter mixture by adding refined flour and cornstarch in a mixing bowl. Add seasonings, salt, and pepper. Add unsweetened almond milk to make a batter of flowing consistency.

Note - Do not make the batter thick; we need zucchini to be moist enough to hold the breadcrumb coating. This will be just a substitute for eggwash used for coating to make the fries crisp.

Also, take bread crumbs seasoned with spices (seasoning mix) and a pinch of salt on another plate. Take a mix of panko and regular crumbs for better results.

Take out zucchini wedges/ fingers and dip them into the batter individually. And roll them in the seasoned bread crumbs. Repeat the process for double coating. However, I have done single-layer coating here.

In the meantime, preheat the air fryer to 400 f (200C) for 4 - 5 minutes. Then, grease the basket with avocado oil (spray or brush). Place the coated pieces and spray a little oil on the top. This will help in making the fries crispy and brown.

Place the basket back into the air fryer and set the temperature at 380 F or 190 C for 10 minutes. Flip them carefully in the midways (with the help of a tong) and spray some oil. Then increase the temperature to 400 F or 200 C for the rest of 5 minutes towards the end or till you get (a nice crisp outer layer) checking at 2-minute intervals. Remove and serve the fries hot and crispy immediately with any dip of choice.

Variations -

If you love spicy food, coat them with buffalo sauce and serve immediately, or bake for another 2 minutes.

For seasoning, you can add any of your favorite seasonings, like Italian seasonings, cajun seasonings, taco seasonings, or ranch seasonings, to the breadcrumb mixture.

While coating the zucchini with crumbs, you may coat them twice for thicker and crispier fries. However, one layer of coating also yields nice crunchy bites.

Tips to make perfect and crispy air fryer zucchini fries

• Cut the zucchini into an even size for even cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. If required, make it in batches.
• Spray cooking oil on the basket before placing the breaded zucchini.
• Also, spray oil from the top before air frying. And after flipping in halfway.
• Take a mix of panko crumbs and regular crumbs.
• Flip the fries in halfway for even cooking.
• Preheat the air fryer at high temperature for 4 minutes.
• If cooking in batches, undertake them for 2 - 3 minutes. In the end, place them together in the air fryer basket. Cook for 2 minutes at 400 F.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - FAQs

Can I store the leftover zucchini fries?

Yes absolutely. The leftover fries can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 - 5 days. You can also store them in the freezer for 2 - 3 months. When required to use, take them out and place them in the air fryer for 4 - 5 minutes or till they look perfectly warm and crispy too. Though they may not taste equally crispy when reheated.

Are zucchini fries healthier than potato fries?

Undoubtedly, zucchini fries are a healthier option than potato fries. Zucchini is a low-carb and high-fiber vegetable. It contains fewer calories, carbs, and fat than potato fries. Again, since these zucchini fries are air-fried and not deep-fried, they have less fat and oil. This is an added advantage, too.

Dipping Sauces for Zucchini Fries

You can serve the air fryer zucchini fries and your favorite dips. However, below are a few suggestions you can pair up with the fries.

• Buffalo sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Chipotle mayo
• Garlic yogurt dressing
• Tomato ketchup
• Marinara sauce
• Garlic aioli
• Cilantro lime sauce

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