Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Recipe
Get ready to elevate your snack game with these Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries! If you’re a fan of crunchy, golden fries but are looking for a healthier, plant-based alternative, you’re in for a treat. These zucchini fries are everything you love about classic fries—crisp on the outside, tender on the inside—minus the guilt. With no eggs, no dairy, and a fraction of the oil used in traditional frying, they’re perfect for satisfying those crispy cravings without compromising your vegan lifestyle.
Zucchini is the star of this recipe, bringing a mild, slightly sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with a well-seasoned breadcrumb coating. The air fryer works its magic, creating that irresistible crunch you’d expect from deep-frying, but with much less fat. Whether you’re serving them as a side dish, appetizer, or snack, these zucchini fries are sure to be a hit at the dinner table. Plus, they’re quick to make and easily customizable, so you can tweak the seasoning to suit your taste buds.
Two reasons you’ll love these Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries: First, they offer all the satisfaction of a crunchy snack with far fewer calories and fat, making them a guilt-free indulgence. Second, they’re incredibly versatile—dip them in your favorite sauces, sprinkle with herbs, or even use them as a crunchy topping for salads. They’re the perfect way to add a healthy, delicious twist to your usual snack routine!
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Recipe
No Egg or Dairy Dip: One reason you’ll love these Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries is that they’re entirely vegan, so there’s no need for egg or dairy-based dips to achieve that crispy, satisfying texture. The fries themselves are coated with a seasoned breadcrumb mixture that adheres perfectly without the need for traditional egg washes, making them a plant-based delight that’s both healthier and kinder to the planet.
No Turning on the Oven: Another reason to fall in love with this recipe is the convenience of using an air fryer—no need to turn on the oven and heat up the whole kitchen. The air fryer does all the work, delivering crispy, golden fries in a fraction of the time. It’s perfect for those busy days when you want a quick, tasty snack without the hassle of preheating an oven or dealing with the aftermath of deep-frying.
Substitutions
Zucchini: Opt for medium-sized zucchini that are firm to the touch and free of blemishes. Smaller zucchini tend to be sweeter and have fewer seeds, making them ideal for this recipe.
Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are the best for this recipe. Panko are Japanese breadcrumbs made from crustless loaves of bread, which makes flaky breadcrumbs that don’t clump when using them to coat a dish, and your recipes stay crispier as a results. If you can’t find Panko at the grocery store, use any other type of breadcrumbs. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Avocado Oil: Use extra-virgin, virgin or regular olive oil, or canola oil.
Almond Milk: Swap in cashew milk or soy milk. Oat milk as a sweet underlying flavor, even when unsweetened, but you can also use it for this recipe. I would recommend to choose the unsweetened versions to avoid the refined sugar, but also to reduce the sweet flavor since it’s a savory recipe.
Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Recipe Recipe Notes
- Try to cut the zucchini into even-sized fries for consistent cooking. If some pieces are too thick or too thin, they may cook unevenly, with some being too soft and others too crunchy.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook the zucchini fries in a single layer and in batches if necessary. Overcrowding can lead to soggy fries as the hot air won’t circulate as effectively.
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If you make this Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Recipe, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!
Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- 2 Medium Bowls
- Whisk
- Silicon Air Fryer Tray optional
Ingredients
- 1-3 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 medium zucchini
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ¼ cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp pink salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Wash and dry the zucchinis. Cut off the ends and slice them into fry-like strips, about ½ inch thick.
- In one bowl, whisk together the plant-based milk and flour, mixing until you have a smooth batter.
- In a separate bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Dip each zucchini strip into the flour mixture, making sure it's well coated. Let any excess batter drip off.
- Next, roll the zucchini in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make them stick.
- Line the air fryer with a silicon tray, which is optional but recommended, so you can easily remove one batch of fries and put the next one in. Line the zucchini side by side in the basket.
- Do not overcrowd it. If all the zucchini doesn't fit, repeat the process after the first batch is done.
- Lightly drizzle 1 tbsp avocado oil over the fries. Reserve 1 tbsp of avocado oil for each batch. You may need 2-3 batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry the zucchini fries at 400°F for about 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. They should be golden brown and crispy when done.
- Once done, remove them from the air fryer. If you have a silicon tray, use oven mitts to remove the tray and take the fries off. Repeat the process with the silicon tray and the next section of fries.
- Once all the fries have been made, serve them hot and fresh with your favorite dipping sauce!
Notes
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Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F until heated.
