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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Easy Air Fryer Zucchini with Dairy Free Parmesan

    Published: Sep 7, 2022 · Modified: Aug 27, 2024 by Maria · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    How to easily cook zucchini in the air fryer. This recipe is a super simple way to use up all of your summer time zucchini. Zucchini comes out tender and slightly crispy and perfectly seasoned. Very few ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes. Zucchini is an amazing side dish to any meal. 

    Zucchini cooked in an air fryer.
    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • Helpful tips
    • Directions
    • Storing
    • What to serve with air fryer zucchini
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More recipes you'll love
    • 📖 Recipe

    Looking for a delicious and healthy way to cook zucchini during zucchini season? Look no further than your air fryer! This versatile kitchen appliance can do so much more than just fried foods – it can also be used to cook up healthy and delicious meals.

    Zucchini is a great option for air frying because it is low in calories and fat but high in nutrients. Zucchini makes for a fantastic healthy side dish. his is a great low carb recipe to use up all of your garden grown zucchini.

    If you want some more easy air fryer recipes, be sure to check out my Air Fryer Zucchini Fries, easy air fried asparagus, Crispy Air Fryer Diced Potatoes, Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts, air fried baked potatoes or these air fryer sweet potato cubes.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • it's a delicious and healthy side dish
    • contains minimal ingredients
    • takes less than 20 minutes
    • gluten free, vegan, vegetarian
    • quick and easy to make

    Ingredients and substitutions

    Air fryer zucchini ingredients laid out on a table.
    • Fresh zucchini - I either use one large zucchini, or two medium size zucchini. This also works well for summer squash (yellow squash).
    • Oil - I love using avocado oil or olive oil.
    • Seasonings - salt and black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder are all great options.
    • Italian seasoning - or whatever are your favorite spices. Red pepper flakes and bagel seasoning are also delicious!
    • Dairy free parmesan cheese - this is optional, but tastes delicious sprinkled over it when it's almost done cooking.

    Helpful tips

    You don't need to make sure to spray your air fryer basket with some cooking spray before or use a lining, since the zucchini chips have oil on them. 

    Try to place the zucchini in single layer in the basket, so the pieces all get cooked evenly by the hot air. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may have to cook in two batches.

    Cook until lightly golden brown, or less so if you want the zucchini to have a little bite. Every air fryer is different, so the cook time will vary. Start with 10-12 minutes, and see how it looks.

    This also tastes great served with your favorite dipping sauce.

    Directions

    Make sure to scroll to the recipe card for full step-by-step instructions.

    Step one: Cut the zucchini into ¾" pieces. Place everything but the (optional) dairy free cheese cheese in a small bowl and stir well.

    Step two: Add the seasoned zucchini to the air fryer in a single layer, don't overlap, and cook at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Cook less if you like the zucchini to have a little bite to it and cook longer if you like it to be softer.

    Step three: For best results, when the zucchini has about two minutes left, stir it around and add the (optional) dairy free parmesan cheese.

    Step four: Air fry for another 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the zucchini looks cooked.

    Zucchini cooked in an air fryer sitting in an air fryer basket.

    Storing

    Fridge - This lasts in an air-tight container for about five days.

    Freezer - Leftover zucchini can be frozen after it cooks, but it will be a little mushy when it thaws. I like to use sauté it and add it to pasta dishes with marinara sauce.

    What to serve with air fryer zucchini

    Zucchini makes a perfect side dish to many different recipes. Serve it on the side of this Vegan Seitan Chicken, a Grilled Vegan Steak, Grilled Portobello Mushrooms or these Vegan Lentil Sloppy Joe's.

    Recipe FAQs

    How do you cook zucchini so they are not soggy?

    If you want the zucchini to not come out soggy, cut it up then toss with ½ teaspoon of salt. Set it in a colander to drain for about 30 minutes to pull out excess moisture. Then pat it dry and air fry it. 

    Can I roast zucchini?

    Absolutely! Oven roasted zucchini tastes amazing and is another easy side dish. Just chop it up into your desired size. Then coat the sliced zucchini in your seasonings and salt.

    Lay it on an oiled baking sheet or use parchment paper. Roast at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Fresh lemon juice also tastes amazing to add after it's done roasting.
    Can I cook this in the instant pot, stove top, bake it

    Can I freeze air fried zucchini?

    Yes! Zucchini can be frozen after it's cooked. Just store it in a freezer safe container for up to three months. It may be a little more soft when it thaws. Throw it in a pasta dish or serve it as a side dish.

    More recipes you'll love

    • Buffalo tofu cubes on a plate with vegan ranch and celery sticks.
      Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Tofu
    • Vegan collard greens on a serving plate.
      Vegan Collard Greens (Instant Pot, Stove Top)
    • caramelized air fryer bananas topped with melted chocolate and peanut butter
      Air fryer bananas
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      Easy air fryer asparagus

    If you loved this recipe, leave a 5 ⭐️ rating on the recipe card and comment below!

    📖 Recipe

    Air fryer zucchini sitting in an air fryer basket.

    Easy Air Fryer Zucchini with Dairy Free Parmesan

    How to easily cook zucchini in the air fryer. This recipe is a quick and delicious way to cook zucchini with very few ingredients. Zucchini makes a perfect side dish to any meal.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 17 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 82kcal
    Author: Maria
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    Equipment

    • Air fryer

    Ingredients

    • 2 medium zucchini (Cut into ¾" pieces)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seaoning
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt and black pepper
    • 2 tablespoons bread crumbs (optional)
    • ¼ cup dairy free parmesan cheese (optional)

    Instructions

    • Cut the zucchini into ¾" pieces.
      2 medium zucchini
    • Place everything but the (optional) dairy free cheese cheese in a mixing bowl and stir well.
      1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon Italian seaoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt and black pepper, 2 tablespoons bread crumbs, 2 medium zucchini
    • Add the seasoned zucchini to the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Cook less if you like the zucchini to have a little bite to it and cook longer if you like it to be softer.
    • When the zucchini has about two minutes left, stir it around and add the (optional) dairy free parmesan cheese.
      ¼ cup dairy free parmesan cheese
    • Air fry for another 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the zucchini looks cooked.

    Notes

    This will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. 
    Cooked zucchini can be frozen, but it will be a little mushy after it heats back up. I love adding it to pasta dishes. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 82kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 242mg | Potassium: 270mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 196IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today!Mention @DamnTastyVegan or tag #DamnTastyVegan!

    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.

    More Vegan Air Fryer Recipes

    • Crispy golden brown vegan air fryer zucchini fries on a white plate with vegan ranch dipping sauce.
      Easy Crispy Vegan Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
    • Air fryer tempeh cubes on top of a salad with a tahini dressing.
      Crispy Marinated Air Fryer Tempeh
    • Diced air fryer potatoes on a white plate.
      Crispy Air Fryer Diced Potatoes
    • Frozen brussels sprouts in a white bowl that have been cooked in an air fryer.
      Easy Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts

    About Maria

    Maria is the creator of the blog and YouTube channel Damn Tasty Vegan. She has been a vegetarian since 2005 and vegan since 2015. She loves showing new vegans how easy and delicious living a vegan lifestyle can be. She is passionate about animal welfare and strives to help change the way animals are viewed and treated, by helping people transition to a vegan lifestyle.

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    Hi, I'm Maria Rose! I'm a professional singer by night, and recipe developer by day. I run this blog and am also the creator of the One Month (30 minute) Meal Plan. I love helping people learn how to cook easy and delicious plant based meals.

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