Healthy Air Fryer Zucchini: Complete, Step By Step Instructions

Here is a delicious, healthy, easy recipe for Air Fryer Zucchini that takes only 10 minutes to make. With five simple ingredients, you’ll have a crisp-tender zucchini side dish that pairs perfectly with almost any entrée.

Healthy Air Fryer Zucchini  Recipe (no breading):

It’s summer which means I’ve got ooodles and ooodles of zucchini. My go-to way to use zucchini is in some type of dessert like Mom’s Perfect Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread or Zucchini Cake loaded with butterscotch chips.

The great thing about zucchini is that while it’s great in a dessert and just as tasty served up in a healthy way. And the air fryer is a quick method of to get this side dish on the table.

I’m always trying to create new air fryer recipes.  Once I discovered how easy it is to use my Ninja Foodie Pro to serve up cauliflower, air fried zucchini was next on my list.

This healthy zucchini recipe is really simple:

• zucchini, quartered and halved
• olive oil
• seasonings

Try tweaking the seasonings to your preference.

How to Air Fry Zucchini

Step By Step Instructions

1. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F.
2. Cut zucchini in half and then cut into quarters. (Thick zucchini slices work too.)
3. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, dried thyme, garlic powder and salt. Add zucchini quarters, and stir until evenly coated.
4. Add zucchini to preheated air fryer basket; cook for approximately 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown and crisp-tender. Be sure to stir or shake a few times.
5. If making a large quantity, you might need to make multiple batches.
6. If desired, serve with marinara sauce or ranch dressing as a dipping sauce.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

For the full recipe for Air-Fried Zucchini Sticks, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Recipe FAQs

• I used 4 medium sized zucchini. Don’t use large zucchini since they have so many seeds.
• To cut the zucchini, cut in half longways; then cut in half again.  If the sticks are long, cut them in half too.
• The sky is the limit for seasoning options: try dried basil, parsley or oregano.  Or use 1 teaspoon fresh thyme if you have it on hand.
• Try this with other veggies. Summer squash works great.
• Avocado oil could be substituted for olive oil. Check out our Amazon Store for some of our other favorite pantry essentials.
• If you like a more-crisp texture, cook a few minutes less. On the flip side, if you like a softer zucchini texture, air fry for a few minutes longer.

Can you put zucchini in the air fryer?

Yes, zucchini like almost any veggies can be cooked using an air fryer. Slice or dice it, coat with oil, add seasonings and stir until uniformly coated. Air fry until golden brown and fork tender.

Is it worth getting an air fryer?

There’s several factors to take into account before purchasing an air fryer.

Air fryers are great if you are a consistent consumer of freezer, convivence foods such as chicken nuggets, French fries, tater tots, popcorn shrimp, mozzarella sticks, etc. Using an air fryer for these foods results in an extra crispy “fried” food texture.

Air fryers are also great for quick and healthy side dishes such as cauliflower, zucchini or other veggies. With a little oil and a variety of seasonings, you’ll have access to unlimited vegetable recipes.

One of the main factors to look at when purchasing an air fryer is whether or not you have room in your kitchen. While this appliance can sit on the counter, it will take up quite a bit of counter space. Be sure you have room to store it either on the counter or put away in a pantry. Just be sure to unplug it while not in use as an extra precaution for preventing house fires.

Try our Air Fryer Cauliflower, Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus and Air Fryer Chickpeas.

More Fresh Zucchini Recipes

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

Pan Fried Zucchini Fritters

Stir Fried Italian Zucchini

Spicy Roasted Zucchini

Linking up to Meal Plan Monday.

Equipment

Let me introduce you to my favorite air fryer accessory. These liners will save you clean up time because you toss the liner right into the trashcan when you’re done. And, they come in multiple sizes to fit your air fryer.