These crispy air fryer zucchini fries are a quick, veggie-packed snack or side dish. Ready in under 30 minutes, they're coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs and air-fried with minimal oil, perfect for satisfying fry cravings and an easy way to sneak in more veggies. Includes oven baking directions as well.
These zucchini fries are a crispy, golden brown treat, perfect for summer.
For more zuccchini recipes, check out these Easy Vegan Zucchini Bread Muffins or this Air Fryer Parmesan Zucchini next.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in less than 30 minutes.
- Less oil: Air-fried with minimal oil for a healthier alternative.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples you probably already have.
- Vegan: Completely plant-based and easily adaptable for a gluten-free diet.
- Kid-Friendly: A fun and tasty way to get kids to eat their veggies.
Ingredient Notes
- Zucchini: Fresh zucchini is best for this recipe. Slice them into spears for the perfect fry shape.
- Aquafaba: This acts as an egg substitute, helping the breadcrumb mixture stick to the zucchini. It’s a fantastic way to reduce waste by using the liquid from a can of chickpeas.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: For an ultra-crispy coating.
- Nutritional Yeast: Adds a cheesy flavor without the dairy. This is a staple in vegan cooking.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning give these fries a flavorful kick.
Tasty additions and variations
- Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with chickpea flour or almond flour. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of panko bread crumbs to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Spicy Variation: Add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture for a spicy kick.
- Cheesy Upgrade: Sprinkle vegan parmesan cheese over the fries after air frying for an extra cheesy flavor.
Substitutions
- Panko Bread Crumbs: Swap with crushed whole grain cereal or gluten-free breadcrumbs for a different texture.
- Aquafaba: If you’re out of aquafaba, unsweetened almond milk, oat milk or any plant milk can be used as a binder, though the texture might be slightly different.
- Nutritional Yeast: Vegan or dairy-free parmesan cheese works just as well.
Step by Step Instructions
Step one: Slice the zucchini into spears, generously salt, and let sit for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
Step two: Rinse off the excess salt and pat dry with paper towels or a kitchen towel.
Step three: Mix the batter in one bowl and the panko breadcrumbs in another. Dip the zucchini sticks in the batter, sprinkle with the panko mixture, and press lightly to coat.
Step four: Place the zucchini spears in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 380°F for 10 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
Expert Tips
Don’t Skip Salting: This step is crucial to remove excess moisture and prevent soggy fries. If you're concerned about too much salt, don't worry—it rinses away.
Single Layer: Arrange the zucchini in a single layer in the air fryer basket for even cooking.
Press the Coating: Gently press the breadcrumb mixture onto the zucchini to ensure a crispy coating.
Storing and Making Ahead
- Fridge: Store leftover zucchini fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer to regain crispiness.
- Freezer: Not recommended, as freezing may affect the texture.
- Making Ahead: You can prep the zucchini spears and breading a few hours ahead, but coat and air fry them just before serving for the best results.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these crispy air fryer zucchini fries with your favorite dipping sauce like Vegan Ranch Dressing or marinara sauce.
These also make the perfect side dish with other summer dishes like a Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burger or a Quinoa and Black Bean Salad.
For a full meal, serve alongside my Super Creamy Vegan Mac and Cheese or this Easy BBQ Tofu or grill up some Homemade Easy Seitan.
Recipe FAQs
Salting the zucchini before cooking helps remove excess moisture, which prevents sogginess.
The best way to reheat zucchini fries is in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to regain their crispiness.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Crispy Air Fryer Vegan Zucchini Fries
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 1 cup aquafaba (water from a can of chickpeas)
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Air Fryer Directions
- Cut the zucchinis in half and generously salt the cut sides. Let sit for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Slice the zucchini into spears that are 1" thick and 3" long. Make sure they aren't too thin, or they will get mushy and cook too much.2 medium zucchinis
- In a large bowl, whisk together the batter mixture ingredients until the mixture reaches a pancake batter consistency.1 cup aquafaba, 1 cup all purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- In another large bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs and seasonings.1½ cups panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Dip each zucchini spear into the batter, let the excess batter drip back into the bowl. Go over to the breadcrumb bowl, keep the zucchini spears above the bowl and sprinkle the panko mixture over it. Lightly press to ensure an even coating. I find that if I dip the battered spears into the breadcrumb bowl, it creates batter clumps in the bowl.
- Place the coated zucchini spears in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray a little bit of oil on top of the zucchini. Air fry at 380°F (190°C) for 10 minutes. Flip the spears and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as vegan ranch or marinara.
Oven Directions
- The prep is all the same as above. After battering and coating the zucchini, place them on a baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat, or oil the baking sheet. Bake at 425 degrees for 20-22 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with chickpea flour or almond flour, and use gluten-free panko.
- For an extra cheesy flavor, sprinkle vegan parmesan over the fries after cooking.
- Fridge: Store leftover zucchini fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer to regain crispiness.
- Freezer: Not recommended, as freezing may affect the texture.
- Making Ahead: You can prep the zucchini spears and breading a few hours ahead, but coat and air fry them just before serving for the best results.
Nutrition
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Kelly
Delicious and easy recipe. Thank you!