Total Time
Prep: 20 min. Cook: 10 min./batch
For perfectly crispy zucchini fries in the air fryer, we use a flavorful, cheesy, herby panko coating. Serve them with warm marinara sauce for a deliciously satisfying bite.
Zucchini blossoms signal the arrival of summer, and while that’s exciting, the abundance of zucchini later in the season can become overwhelming. By summer’s end, you might be weary of soft zucchini dishes.
What you need is a crisp, well-seasoned zucchini fry to rekindle your enthusiasm for summer squash.
This recipe features a crunchy panko breadcrumb coating that gives the zucchini a savory, garlicky, cheesy flavor. The best part? You don’t need a deep fryer. We use an air fryer to achieve the perfect crispiness, but don’t worry if you don’t have one—there are also instructions for baking the fries in the oven.
Zucchini Fries Ingredients
Zucchini: To get the most out of zucchini use medium sized ones in your cooking. The larger varieties may have thick skin, more seeds and softer, more pulpy flesh.
Panko Bread Crumbs: Make use of crunchy panko to allow your zucchini fries to have the best of finishes.
Seasonings: Basically, it is the Parmesan cheese the basil, the seasoning, the garlic powder and the oregano that gives it that flavorful coat. This combination escalates it and gives it a robust, and savory flavor.
Eggs: However, I use lightly beaten eggs since, besides coating the zucchini with flour, I season the breadcrumbs.
Cooking Spray: Just a little spaying of cooking spray assist in making the bread crumbs more crispy without lot of oil.
Marinara Sauce: This zucchini fries recipe should be served while still warm best served with warm marinara sauce. It is however advisable if you prepare your marinara at home or use a bought marinara sauce from your supermarket.
Directions
Step 1: Cut the zucchini
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise and then in half crosswise. Cut each piece lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices.
Editor’s Tip: You should be able to get about 32 pieces from two medium zucchinis.
Step 2: Dredge the zucchini fries
In a shallow bowl, mix the bread crumbs, 1 teaspoon of basil, salt, garlic powder, oregano and 1/2 cup of Parmesan.
In a separate shallow bowl, place the eggs and remaining 1 teaspoon of basil.
Dip the zucchini slices in the egg mixture and then in the crumb mixture, patting to help the coating adhere.
Step 3: Air-fry the zucchini fries
In batches, place the zucchini pieces in a single layer on a greased tray in the air-fryer basket. Spritz with cooking spray. Cook until lightly browned, six to eight minutes.
Turn each piece concerned then keep them air-frying until golden brown, an addition of three to five minutes is recommended.
Editor’s Tip: Do not load the basket up to its capacity because this makes them clumped together which isn’t ideal for crisping hence make sure there is enough space between the fries. If you are going to continue cooking other portions of your meal, you may leave them in a low temperature oven at 2000F or simply cover them with a foil.
Finish with Parmesan cheese
Sprinkle the hot zucchini fries with the remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan and serve with warm marinara sauce.
What is the best way to ensure that zucchini fries do not become soft before they are to be cooked?
Zucchini especially when large may contain high water content in it which when roasted can make your fries very wet. To avoid this, coat the pieces in some all-purpose flour after which you can dip them into the egg. The flour will assist in reducing the amounts of moisture which should have caused the dough to become sticky. The other method that you can use on the zucchini is to season them with salt and put them for a few about 15 minutes to blot the moisture. Then dry them up with a paper towel, before proceeding to what is indicated on the body of the letter.
In what manner is zucchini fries eaten?
Zucchini fries it is better served as a starter course or as an accompaniment to sandwiches, hamburgers, among others. They go well with warm marinara sauce or a cream-based dip such as ranch dressing, Parmesan yogurt dip or garlic aioli as is used in spicy potatoes with garlic aioli. To make them tastier and cheesier, pour over chili con queso on top of them.
Watch How to Make Zucchini Fries
Ingredients
2 medium zucchini
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese 1 cup panko bread crumbs
2 teaspoons dried basil, grated, divided
1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup including 2 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs, beaten slightly
Cooking spray
Marinara sauce, warmed
Directions
Start preheating the air fryer at 375F.
Trim the zucchini by cutting them in halves lengthwise then cutting each half crosswise in to halves. After that the kindlege has been cut into 1 and a ¼ inch thicknesses the pieces should be sliced lengthwise to form 1/4 inch slices.
In a shallow dish, mix the panko bread crumbs, 1 teaspoons of basil, seasoned salt, garlic powder, oregano and ½ cup of Parmesan cheese. Thoroughly beat the remaining 1 teaspoon of basil with the eggs in another, but much shallower bowl.
Place the zucchini slices into the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumb mixture bitting them lightly to adhere.
Together, it is also possible to place the zucchini pieces in the batches; they should be arranged in a single layer on a greased tray that should be placed in the basket of the air fryer. You only need to coat with cooking spray lightly.
They should therefore be cooked for 6-8 minutes until they turn slightly browned. Turn over each zucchini pieces and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes or color golden brown.
Using the remaining 2 tbsp of Parmesan cheese, sprinkle it unto the hot fries before serving with warmed marinara sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Per 1 cup:
Calories: 91
Fat: 4g (2g saturated fat)
Cholesterol: 52mg
Sodium: 389mg
Carbohydrates: 9g: 2g sugars, 1g fiber
Protein: 6g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable(control), 1 fat(treatment)
