Looking for a quick, tasty snack? Try these Air Fried Zucchini Sticks! Fresh zucchini are coated in a seasoned breading and air fried until crispy to perfection in just 15 minutes. Perfect for summer munching with your favorite dipping sauce!
Summer is coming which means an abundance of summer veggies in our house. As much as I love to garden, I’m not so great at planning out how much to plant. This means we usually have a ton of zucchini and cucumber to use up!
Because I don’t like wasting food, especially food I’ve grown myself, I use them in pasta or salads and in this super quick and easy air fryer zucchini recipe. Summer zucchini gets cut into stick shapes coated in a delicious breading made with simple ingredients to add a crunch and zesty kick. The air fryer (essentially a small convection oven) uses dry circulating heat that cooks all around the outside of the veggies making them super crispy on the outside while they stay warm and tender on the inside.
We had these zucchini gems as a side with our dinner, and we (especially my daughter)ate them all. I’m not even ashamed to say that because they are healthy. It feels like summer in a bite!
Serve them as a delicious appetizer or as a snack for movie night. They also make a fantastic side dish for dinners, pairing well with salmon or with pasta. They go great with creamy ranch, tangy marinara, or even fried pickle ranch dip for dipping!
No waste: A great way to use up lots of summer zucchini without it going to waste.
Healthy: This easy snack is not only delicious but also a healthy way to get veggies in.
Quick: Using the air fryer, these zucchini fries are cooked and crispy in just 15 minutes.
Versatile: Use them as an appetizer, side dish, or chop them up for pasta dishes and casseroles.
Zucchini – Whether from the garden, grocery store, or farmers market, choose zucchini that are firm and not oversized.
Flour – A quick dip in flour allows the liquid from the milk and eggs to stick giving that extra barrier coating to the zucchini that keeps the moisture from seeping out when cooking. This helps them not get soggy.
Dredging Liquid – A mixture of milk and eggs are the wet ingredients that allow the rest of the breading and seasoning to stick to the zucchini sticks.
Panko and Parmesan – The parmesan gives the zucchini a nutty and salty taste, while the Panko adds a satisfying crunch. Regular breadcrumbs can also be used instead of panko.
Seasoning – Using a mix of garlic, minced parsley, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper adds flavor to the breading, giving it a zesty twist with a light herb flavor that complements the natural sweetness of the zucchini.
Prepare the zucchini: Rinse the zucchini under cold water, then chop off the stem and root on either side. Cut in half lengthwise into two pieces, then the same way into four pieces. Cut those pieces in half again to double the amount of pieces.
Preheat the air fryer: Turn your air fryer to 400F and preheat for 3-5 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with nonstick oil.
Create breading station: Get out three shallow plates or bowls for the breading station. Place flour in one, a mixture of whisked eggs and milk in another, and the breadcrumb, cheese, and seasoning mixture in the third.
Bread the zucchini: Place flour in a plate or bowl. Dip each piece of zucchini in to fully coat in flour. Coat each floured piece of zucchini in the wet mixture, shaking off any excess as you go. Then, roll in the seasoned breading mixture until fully coated.
Air fry: Place each coated zucchini stick in the air fryer in one single layer. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping halfway until crispy on the outside. How long it takes will depend on your individual air fryer and the size of your zucchini. Add a few minutes more of cooking time for extra crispy zucchini.
No air fryer? No problem! You can make this recipe in the oven in a few simple steps:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the coated zucchini sticks on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, flipping the sticks halfway.
Once they are golden brown and crispy, remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving.
The best zucchini to use are the ones that are on the smaller or medium sized and not too large. These are firmer and will hold up better when cooked this way. To reduce moisture even more, you can cut out the seed portion.
As best you can, cut the zucchini sticks into uniform sizes so they all cook evenly.
Shake off any excess mixture after each station to make sure the breading doesn’t clump or get too wet.
Arrange the zucchini in the air fryer basket in a single even layer to make sure there is air flow circulating all around the vegetables for even cooking.
You want to strike a balance between firm and tender with zucchini sticks, so make sure you are not overcooking them or undercooking them. The best way to tell is to use a toothpick and poke through the center ¾ of the way through cooking. If it slides through easily but still is a bit firm, it’s ready to come out of the air fryer.
If you are baking them in the oven, you can place them on a wire rack to keep them from getting soggy or use a convection setting if you have one at 375F.
There are so many ways you can change up the flavor! Try these simple seasoning ideas:
Spicy: Garlic, onion, oregano, chili powder, cayenne, paprika
Citrus: Lemon zest, Parmesan, parsley
Smoky: Chipotle powder, smoked paprika, garlic
Cajun: Cajun seasoning, garlic, onion powder
Herby: Basil, rosemary, thyme, parsley
Mediterranean: Za’atar, garlic, olive oil
Tangy: Balsamic vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning
Hot Honey: Honey, sriracha, lime juice
Pita pockets: Fill pitas with Greek chicken, feta, olives, lettuce, tomato, and onion, along with zucchini sticks for a delicious crunch.
Pizza topping: Air-fried zucchini makes a great pizza topping along with other vegetables and meats.
Pasta: Chop up and toss into your favorite summertime pasta dishes for added texture and nutrition.
Burger topping: Fried zucchini pairs well with the meaty flavor of burgers and crunchy cold toppings.
Stir fry: Use any leftovers in a stir fry along with your favorite vegetables, meats, or tofu.
Appetizer: Serve as a party appetizer alongside onion rings, mozzarella sticks, and chicken, along with dipping sauces.
Storing: Fried zucchini is best served immediately. If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Do not freeze, as the texture will become mushy and soggy when thawed.
Reheating: Reheat air fried zucchini sticks in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes or until heated through and crispy. Or, place them on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes.
Can I use yellow squash instead?
Yes, you can use yellow squash as a substitute for zucchini in this recipe. Yellow squash has a similar texture and flavor.
How do you keep zucchini from getting soggy?
To prevent zucchini from becoming soggy, you can pat the zucchini sticks dry with a clean kitchen towel after washing them. Shake off excess breading and arrange the coated zucchini sticks in a single layer in the air fryer or on the baking sheet. You can also remove the seeds which contain the most moisture.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers for the panko breadcrumbs in the coating mixture. Make sure that any other ingredients used, such as flour and seasoning blends, are made without gluten.
Easy, healthy and delicious Air Fryer Zucchini Sticks. Easy to make and a perfect side to any meal or even just a snack. Love these!
You can definitely make these in the oven as well! 425 degrees for 30 minutes, turn halfway through.
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