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.

Prep: 10

Cook: 15

Rest 30

Total: 55

Yield:4 servings

In small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice and salt until well combined. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

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.

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.

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.