Air Fryer Zucchini Fries – The Nation Cook dinner

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are crispy and flavorful. They’re frivolously seasoned, have a golden crunch and have the right selfmade lemon-y dipping sauce!

A 30-MINUTE AIR FRYER RECIPE

These Air Fryer Zucchini Fries had been impressed by the zucchini fritte at Carrabas Italian Grill, however as a substitute of frying in oil, we’re utilizing the air fryer! I at all times find yourself with a ridiculous quantity of zucchini in my backyard in the summertime, which is saying quite a bit as a result of I’m a horrible gardener – ha! In case you’re like me and develop an abundance of zucchini, or simply get pleasure from zucchini, that is the right recipe for you! It may be a snack, an appetizer or a aspect dish!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Do I’ve to make use of the mix of bread crumbs?

I used a combo of Italian breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs for further taste and texture. However, I do assume both one or the both might be utilized by itself.

Is the dip a necessity?

This dip is technically a Lemon Garlic Aioli (which has similarities to what’s served at Carrabas) so I simply whip up this fast model of it. Aioli is only a fancy time period for flavored mayonnaise. It’s completely non-compulsory and a pleasant accompaniment to the zucchini.

How might I modify this up?

This zucchini recipe can be scrumptious even in the event you swapped out the zucchini with some yellow squash. You might use a special sauce for serving too.

How do I get a crispy breading?

I’ve discovered that utilizing gluten-free bread crumbs may give a crispier coating. Let me preface this by saying I’m not gluten free and I don’t want gluten free components. It simply so occurs {that a} buddy advised me that she discovered that gluten free breadcrumbs make a crispier coating within the air fryer and I feel she was spot on (no less than with this recipe). You’ll be able to completely use common bread crumbs, however the gluten free model helps them get crispier for no matter cause.

How lengthy are leftovers good for?

Leftover zucchini fries will be saved in an hermetic container and must be saved within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Use the Air Fryer to reheat them for 3-5 minutes at 400° F or till crispy once more.

A hand dipping an Air Fryer Zucchini Fries in sauce next to a pile of the rest of them.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

mayonnaise – that is for the aioli dip – please use full fats actual mayonnaise – it actually does make a distinction in style.
garlic cloves – that is additionally for the dip. I actually choose the recent stuff, it simply takes the dip to an entire different style degree. I suppose you may use the jarred stuff however urgent recent garlic cloves is most popular.
lemon juice and lemon zest – that is for the dip and must be a recent lemon and recent lemon juice. The squirt bottle lemon juice (most manufacturers – not all) are likely to run on the tremendous acidic aspect and it might actually throw off the flavors.
chopped parsley – that is completely non-compulsory on this recipe. It’s actually simply including coloration and a slight herby taste.
grated parmesan cheese – in the event you don’t like parmesan cheese, simply go away it out. There’s no have to substitute with the rest.
zucchini – you should utilize yellow squash too for this recipe. You need about 3 smaller or 2 common measurement zucchini. You’ll be able to clearly double this recipe when you’ve got bigger zucchini or simply need to make extra. See my ingredient picture beneath to get an thought of the dimensions of zucchini I used.
eggs – when you’ve got time, let the eggs come to room temperature, it helps them whisk up a lot simpler.
water
panko bread crumbs – professional tip right here (see my Ceaselessly Requested Questions above) you should utilize gluten free bread crumbs if you would like crispier breading.
Italian breadcrumbs – as I state above, you should utilize one or the opposite with the breadcrumbs. It doesn’t should be each however you get an ideal texture this manner.
garlic powder – you may actually season this nevertheless you need. You need to hold the essence of that zucchini taste with out over powering it with an abundance of seasoning.
all-purpose flour

All the ingredients needed to make homemade Air Fryer Zucchini Fries and a homemade lemon garlic aioli sauce.

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER ZUCCHINI FRIES:

If making the lemon garlic dip: add all of the components to a bowl. Whisk collectively properly to mix. Cowl and place into the fridge.

A Lemon Garlic Aioli dip being mixed together in a bowl.

To organize the zucchini sticks: Lower the zucchini into sticks. I like to chop them about 3/4” thick and about 3-4 inches lengthy. It will make roughly 24 sticks. Add the zucchini to a colander. Sprinkle 2 1/2 teaspoons of salt on the zucchini. Shake the zucchini sticks so they’re coated within the salt. Enable them to take a seat for about 15-Half-hour. It will assist draw out any extra moisture.

Zucchini being cut into sticks and then dried off in a colander.

Whereas the zucchini sits, add the eggs and water to a bowl. Whisk to mix properly then put aside.

Eggs and water being whisked together with a fork.

To a shallow dish add the panko bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, Italian panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir till mixed. Put aside.

A shallow bowl with panko bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, Italian panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt being mixed together.

Preheat a 6 quart air fryer to 400° F for about 5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or avocado nonstick spray (you can even take a pastry brush and brush the oil onto the basket.) After the zucchini has soaked within the salt, place the sticks onto a clear kitchen towel or paper towels. Pat them dry to take away the surplus liquid and salt (don’t rinse with water.) Add the flour combination ready earlier into a big Ziploc bag. Then add the zucchini sticks. Seal the bag and shake till absolutely coated.

Zucchini sticks being dried off with a dish towel, sticks in a bag with flour mixture and them being mixed together in a bag.

Switch the zucchini sticks a couple of at a time to the egg combination. Coat the sticks within the egg combination (I exploit a fork to assist flip it and coat it.)

Flour coated zucchini being dipped in egg mixture.

Switch the sticks to the shallow dish of the breadcrumb combination. Once more, I exploit a fork to coat them with the breadcrumbs.

Egg coated zucchini sticks being coated with breadcrumb mixutre.

Switch the zucchini sticks to the air fryer. Lay them flat. Observe: Relying on the dimensions of your air fryer, you’ll have to prepare dinner them in batches. You don’t need to prepare dinner too many at a time or they won’t get crispy. Cook dinner for about 5 to 7 minutes or till golden brown and crispy.

Coated zucchini sticks in an Air Fryer basket and cooked zucchini fries in a basket.

Prime with parsley and serve with the lemon garlic dip.

A plate full of Air Fryer Zucchini Fries.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

A hand holding a few Air Fryer Zucchini Fries, dipping one in sauce.

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For the Lemon Garlic Dip (Lemon Garlic Aioli):

If making the non-compulsory lemon garlic dip: add 1 cup mayonnaise, 3 garlic cloves, minced, 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, 1 Tablespoon lemon zest, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley, 1 Tablespoon grated parmesan cheese, 1 Tablespoon grated parmesan cheese, 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to a medium sized bowl. Whisk collectively properly to mix. Cowl and place into the fridge whilst you make the zucchini.
To organize the zucchini sticks: Lower 2 medium zucchini into sticks. I like to chop them about 3/4” thick and about 3-4 inches lengthy. It will make roughly 24 sticks.
Add the zucchini to a colander. Sprinkle 2 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt on the zucchini. Shake the zucchini sticks so they’re coated within the salt. Enable them to take a seat for about 15-Half-hour. It will assist draw out any extra moisture.
Whereas the zucchini sits, add 2 giant eggs and 1 Tablespoon water to a bowl. Whisk to mix properly then put aside.
To a shallow dish add 1 cup panko bread crumbs, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Stir till mixed. Put aside.
Preheat a 6 quart air fryer to 400° F for about 5 minutes.
Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or avocado nonstick spray (you can even take a pastry brush and brush the oil onto the basket.)
After the zucchini has soaked within the salt, place the sticks onto a clear kitchen towel or paper towels. Pat them dry to take away the surplus liquid and salt (don’t rinse with water.)
Add 1/2 cup all-purpose flour into a big Ziploc bag. Then add the zucchini sticks. Seal the bag and shake till absolutely coated. (Observe: You might do that in a bowl, I simply discovered the ziplock bag simpler)
Switch the zucchini sticks a couple of at a time to the egg combination. Coat the sticks within the egg combination (I exploit a fork to assist flip it and coat it.)
Switch the sticks to the shallow dish of the breadcrumb combination. Once more, I exploit a fork to coat them with the breadcrumbs.
Then switch the zucchini sticks to the air fryer. Lay them flat. Observe: Relying on the dimensions of your air fryer, you’ll have to prepare dinner them in batches. You don’t need to prepare dinner too many at a time or they won’t get crispy.
Cook dinner for about 5 to 7 minutes or till golden brown and crispy.
Prime with 2 Tablespoons chopped parsley (non-compulsory) and serve with the lemon garlic dip.

Please confer with my FAQ’s (Ceaselessly Requested Questions) and ingredient listing above for different substitutions or for the solutions to the commonest questions.
I discovered that gluten free panko breadcrumbs find yourself making this a lot crunchier in texture than the common. It’s not needed although and only a advice.
Please see my ingredient picture within the above put up to get an thought of the dimensions of zucchini I used. This recipe makes about 24 sticks.

Course: Appetizer, Aspect Dish

Delicacies: American

“The Nation Cook dinner” will not be a dietician or nutritionist, and any dietary data shared is an estimate. If calorie depend and different dietary values are necessary to you, we advocate operating the components by way of whichever on-line dietary calculator you like. Energy and different dietary values can fluctuate fairly a bit relying on which manufacturers had been used.