Air Fryer Zucchini Slices

Transform ordinary zucchini into crispy, golden perfection with your air fryer! These air fryer zucchini slices are incredibly versatile, taking just 10-15 minutes from prep to plate. Whether you prefer simple roasted rounds or breaded zucchini chips, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know for consistently crispy results. Say goodbye to soggy vegetables and hello to a healthy side dish that everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love Air Frying Zucchini Slices

Air frying zucchini slices delivers the perfect combination of speed, health, and flavor. In under 15 minutes total, you can create restaurant-quality vegetables with minimal oil and maximum crispiness. The air fryer’s circulating hot air creates that coveted crispy exterior while keeping the inside perfectly tender. Plus, cleanup is a breeze compared to traditional frying methods. This cooking technique preserves the zucchini’s natural nutrients while adding irresistible texture that even vegetable skeptics will enjoy.

Choosing Your Zucchini & How to Slice Them

The secret to perfect air fryer zucchini starts with proper selection and slicing. Choose medium-sized, firm zucchini without bruising or soft spots for the best results. Large zucchini can be used but may have more seeds and moisture. Yellow summer squash works equally well and adds beautiful color variation to your dish.

For optimal cooking, slice your zucchini into uniform rounds. For simple roasted slices, cut into ½-inch thick coins. For crispy zucchini chips, slice them thinner at 3/16-inch to ¼-inch thick. You can cut large zucchini into half-moons if preferred. Uniform thickness ensures even cooking and prevents some pieces from burning while others remain undercooked.

Essential Ingredients for Air Fryer Zucchini Slices

For Simple Roasted Zucchini Slices (4-Ingredient Recipe)

This minimal approach lets the zucchini’s natural flavor shine:

• 2 medium zucchini, sliced into ½-inch rounds
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 1 minced garlic clove

For Crispy Zucchini Chips (Breaded Slices)

For those craving extra crunch and flavor:

• 2 medium zucchini, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
• 1 large egg (or plant milk + ground flaxseed for vegan option)
• ½ cup fine breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (or vegan alternative)
• 2 tablespoons almond flour
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Optional seasonings: garlic powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes

Each ingredient serves a purpose: the egg acts as a binder, panko provides superior crunch, cornstarch creates delicate crispiness, and Parmesan adds savory depth.

Step-by-Step Guide to Air Frying Zucchini Slices

Preparing Your Zucchini

1. Wash zucchini thoroughly and pat completely dry with paper towels
2. Slice into uniform rounds according to your preferred thickness
3. Crucial step: Pat each slice dry again with paper towels to remove excess moisture – this prevents sogginess and ensures maximum crispiness

Seasoning & Coating Options

Simple Roasted Seasoning

1. In a large bowl, combine sliced zucchini with olive oil, ensuring each piece is lightly coated
2. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
3. Add optional spices like red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning
4. Toss gently to distribute seasonings evenly

Breaded Chip Coating

1. Set up a breading station with two shallow dishes
2. In the first dish, whisk the egg until smooth
3. In the second dish, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, almond flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings
4. Dip each zucchini slice first in egg, allowing excess to drip off
5. Then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere
6. Place breaded slices on a plate and drizzle lightly with olive oil
7. Important: Don’t bread the zucchini until just before air frying to prevent clumping

Air Frying Instructions (Temperature, Time, Batches)

1. Preheat your air fryer to the appropriate temperature:
   • Simple roasted slices: 400°F (200°C) or 380-390°F (195°C)
   • Breaded chips: 325°F to 370°F depending on your air fryer model
2. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket – this is absolutely critical for crispiness. Don’t overcrowd; cook in batches if necessary.
3. Cooking times:
   • Simple roasted slices: 10-12 minutes
   • Breaded chips: 11-13 minutes at higher temperature, or 18-22 minutes at 325°F
4. Shake the basket halfway through cooking time to ensure even browning
5. Check for doneness: Slices should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside

Tips for Perfectly Crispy, Never-Soggy Zucchini

Follow these expert tips for consistently perfect results:

• Pat dry thoroughly: This cannot be overstated – removing excess moisture is the #1 factor in achieving crispiness
• Single layer only: Never overcrowd the basket; cook multiple batches if needed for proper air circulation
• Light oil coating: Use just enough oil to coat lightly; excess oil leads to sogginess
• Don’t overcook: Overcooking draws out more moisture and creates mushiness
• Salt timing: If salting to draw out moisture, do so 10-15 minutes before cooking, then pat dry again
• Temperature matters: For breaded versions, slightly lower temperatures (325°F) allow moisture to cook out before browning

Delicious Flavor Variations to Try

Customize your zucchini slices with these tasty combinations:

Spice blends: Try chili powder and cumin for Mexican flair, or oregano and basil for Italian-inspired flavors. Cayenne adds heat, while Adobo seasoning provides smoky complexity.

Cheese options: Beyond Parmesan, experiment with sharp cheddar, pecorino Romano, or nutritional yeast for vegan versions.

Fresh additions: Finish with lemon zest for brightness, fresh minced garlic for pungency, or chopped fresh basil for aromatic appeal. These flavored slices complement healthy meals like southwest chicken salad or greek chicken bowls.

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Zucchini Slices

These versatile zucchini slices work beautifully in numerous ways:

• As a side dish alongside grilled chicken, garlic shrimp pasta, or healthy broccoli pasta
• Healthy snacking with your favorite dipping sauce
• Lunch accompaniment with chicken avocado wrap or chicken avocado melt sandwich
• Appetizer at parties with multiple dipping options
• Bowl additions to complement dishes like ground beef burrito bowl or turkey burrito bowls

Dipping sauce pairings: Ranch dressing, marinara sauce, garlic aioli, tzatziki, cottage cheese dip, spicy chipotle mayo, or homemade garlic yogurt sauce all complement the zucchini’s mild flavor beautifully. These slices also pair wonderfully with protein-rich dishes like honey garlic shrimp bowls or crispy chicken katsu.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Storage: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.

Freezing: Due to zucchini’s high water content, freezing isn’t ideal as texture becomes mushy upon thawing. If you must freeze, use within 2 months and expect texture changes.

Reheating: For best results, reheat in the air fryer at 400°F for 4 minutes, flipping halfway through. This restores crispiness better than microwave reheating. A preheated oven at 400°F for 5-7 minutes also works well.

Air Fryer Zucchini Slices

Emma

Crispy, golden air fryer zucchini slices that are perfectly seasoned and ready in just 15 minutes! This healthy side dish uses minimal oil while delivering maximum flavor and crunch. Choose between simple roasted slices or breaded chips for a versatile vegetable that everyone will love.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 17 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 65 kcal

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Large mixing bowl
• Paper towels
• Measuring spoons

Ingredients

  

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Simple Roasted Version:

• ▢ 2 medium zucchini about 1 pound, sliced into ½-inch rounds
• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Breaded Chip Version:

• ▢ 2 medium zucchini about 1 pound, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
• ▢ 1 large egg beaten
• ▢ ½ cup fine breadcrumbs
• ▢ ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ▢ 2 tablespoons almond flour
• ▢ 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

 

Simple Roasted Version:

• ▢
  Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• ▢
  Wash zucchini and pat completely dry with paper towels. Slice into uniform ½-inch rounds.
• ▢
  Pat each slice dry again with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
• ▢
  In a large bowl, toss zucchini slices with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
• ▢
  Arrange slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
• ▢
  Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
• ▢
  Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Breaded Chip Version:

• ▢
  Preheat air fryer to 370°F (185°C).
• ▢
  Wash zucchini and pat completely dry. Slice into uniform ¼-inch rounds and pat dry again.
• ▢
  Set up breading station: Beat egg in one shallow dish. In another dish, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, almond flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• ▢
  Dip each zucchini slice first in beaten egg, then coat thoroughly in breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
• ▢
  Place breaded slices on a plate and drizzle lightly with olive oil.
• ▢
  Arrange in single layer in air fryer basket. Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
• ▢
  Air fry for 11-13 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
• ▢
  Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

• Prevent Sogginess: The key to crispy zucchini is removing excess moisture. Pat slices dry thoroughly with paper towels before and after slicing.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Cook in single layers and multiple batches for best results. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of crisping.
• Oil Amount: Use just enough oil to lightly coat. Too much oil can make the zucchini soggy.
• Storage: Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in air fryer at 400°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness.
• Variations: Try different seasonings like Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, or Parmesan cheese for variety.
• Substitutions: Yellow summer squash can be used instead of zucchini with identical cooking times.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Zucchini Slices

Amount per Serving

Calories

65

% Daily Value*

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword air fryer zucchini, crispy zucchini slices

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Explore More Air Fryer Zucchini Recipes & Related Air Fryer Favorites

Expand your air fryer repertoire with these related recipes:

Other zucchini preparations: If you love these slices, try crispy baked parmesan zucchini for an oven-baked alternative that delivers similar crispy results.

Healthy air fryer treats: Explore healthy air fryer churro bites for a sweet finish to your meal, or try air fryer vegetable sides to complement your main dishes.

Complete meal pairings: These zucchini slices pair beautifully with protein-packed options like cilantro lime chicken bowl, honey sriracha salmon bowl, or spicy shrimp tacos for balanced, quick dinners.

More healthy side dishes: Create a complete vegetable medley with sautéed spinach and mushrooms or add freshness with creamy cucumber salad.

Conclusion

Air fryer zucchini slices prove that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. With just a few simple ingredients and these proven techniques, you can create crispy, delicious vegetables that complement any meal. Whether you choose the simple 4-ingredient version or the indulgent breaded chips, success lies in proper preparation and following the key tips for crispiness. Start experimenting with different seasonings and serving styles to make this versatile recipe your own!