Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Garlic Aioli
Posted: 07/06/22
Updated: 07/12/22
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Air fryer zucchini fries are a delicious alternative to French fries the whole family can enjoy. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned beautifully. The air fryer gives them a delectable crunch that’s paired with a creamy garlic aioli for a combo that can’t be beat.
What Makes This Recipe So Good
- Air fryer zucchini fries are full of flavor, and they’re SUPER easy to make. No peeling necessary, just chop the zucchini into fries and coat them in an egg wash and a seasoned parmesan breadcrumb breading. The air fryer will take care of the rest!
- I included a recipe for a super quick, super delicious, unbelievably creamy garlic aioli, but you could honestly serve these fries with just about anything. Marinara, ketchup, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, spicy mayo… Anything works! Use what you love.
- The texture on these babies is out of this world! They get super crispy on the outside but stay tender on the inside. All without deep frying! Which also means no extra mess to clean up, plus it’s an all-around lighter option than traditional fries. Win-win!
- Zucchini fries are a fun, easy, sort-of-sneaky way to get everyone to eat more veggies. I mean, I don’t know about you, but I don’t know anyone who can resist fries of any sort. Trust me – these are 100% kid (and parent) approved.
Chef’s Tips
- Save yourself a big headache and an even bigger mess. Make the breading step easier by using one hand solely for dipping the zucchini in the egg mixture and the other hand for rolling it in the breadcrumbs mixture. That way you’re not transferring as much egg to the breadcrumbs and vice versa. Trust me, it makes a huge difference.
- We’re using Italian seasoning for this recipe in the breadcrumbs, but you can totally switch things up! Feel free to replace the Italian seasoning with Cajun seasoning, Creole seasoning, ranch seasoning, whatever you like! There’s a ton of delicious possibilities, so you can make these zucchini fries a little different every time you make them.
- For really crispy zucchini fries, be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket (or racks). Work in batches as needed so the air can fully circulate around all the zucchini fries. That’s how the air fryer does its magic! If the air can’t reach a spot, that spot won’t crisp up.
- Be sure to give the fries a quick (but generous) hit of cooking spray right before you put them in the air fryer. If you forget or don’t want to, they’ll still be delish, but the oil will help the breading crisp up the way it needs to. Be sure you’re using a cooking spray that’s safe for air fryers, though. Avoid non-stick sprays and any sprays with ingredients that will damage the coating of the basket.
Other Zucchini Recipes You’ll Love
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Garlic Aioli
Crispy, tender, and beautifully seasoned, these air fryer zucchini fries are a delicious alternative to traditional French fries.
servings
Ingredients
For the Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¾ teaspoon salt more or less to taste
For the Zucchini
- 1 large zucchini
- salt to sweat zucchini, enough to cover fries generously
For the Zucchini Fries
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch salt more or less to taste
- 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper more or less to taste
- 2 large eggs
Equipment
- medium mixing bowl with lid or plastic wrap to cover
- rubber or silicone spatula
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Air fryer
- 2 Large bowls
- Paper towels
- Whisk
- plate or baking sheet to rest zucchini on
- cooking spray safe for air fryers
- Tongs
Instructions
For the Garlic Aioli
- In small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice and salt until well combined. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
For the Zucchini
- Cut zucchini in half across center. Cut each zucchini half into sticks approximately ½-inch thick and ¾-inch long.
- Transfer raw zucchini fries to large bowl. Sprinkle generous amounts of salt over zucchini and toss until well coated. Set aside and allow zucchini to "sweat" at room temperature 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, transfer zucchini fries to paper towels. Blot zucchini with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. If desired, quickly rinse off any remaining salt then dry zucchini again.
For the Zucchini Fries
- Preheat air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit.
- In one large bowl, mix together breadcrumbs, parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set bowl aside.
- Crack both eggs directly into second large bowl and whisk eggs until pale in color and no longer streaky. Set bowl aside.
- One by one, dip zucchini fries in beaten eggs, making sure to fully coat all sides of zucchini. Let excess egg mixture drip back into bowl, then transfer egg-washed zucchini to breadcrumb mixture.
- Roll and cover zucchini in breadcrumbs, making sure to coat fully but evenly. Transfer breaded zucchini to plate or baking sheet and set aside. Repeat until all zucchini fries have been coated in egg and breadcrumb mixture.
- Spray preheated air fryer basket with cooking spray, then place breaded zucchini in basket in one flat layer, being careful not to stack fries or overcrowd basket. Spray tops of fries with cooking spray.
- Place basket in preheated air fryer. Air fry zucchini fries for 10 minutes, then pause air fryer and remove basket. Use tongs to carefully flip fries over, then return basket to air fryer and air fry another 5 minutes. Carefully transfer zucchini fries to plate or bowl and repeat process until all zucchini fries have been cooked. Serve warm with desired dipping sauces.
Notes
- Sweating the zucchini isn’t entirely necessary, but they contain a LOT of moisture. Reducing that moisture will ensure you get a really crispy breading on the fries.
- Make the breading step easier by using one hand solely for dipping the zucchini in the egg mixture and the other hand for rolling it in the breadcrumbs mixture. That way you’re not transferring as much egg to the breadcrumbs and vice versa.
- Make it Keto: Use almond flour and/or crushed pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs.
- Make it Gluten Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Make it Dairy Free: Use ½ cup nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 433kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 37g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 19g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 73mg, Sodium: 1047mg, Potassium: 311mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 377IU, Vitamin C: 19mg, Calcium: 223mg, Iron: 2mg, Net Carbs: 14g
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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