Crispy and tender air fryer zucchini sticks are the perfect late-summer snack or side dish.
Made with fresh zucchini breaded in a crispy breaded coating, they are cooked to perfection in the air fryer.
Make a batch of these healthy veggie sticks and watch them disappear!
Easy Air Fryer Zucchini!
- Zucchini in the Air Fryer comes out with that crispy deep-fried exterior and a tender, fluffy interior without the deep-fried mess to clean up!
- Quick and easy zucchini sticks are perfect for game day, movie night, or guilt-free snacking anytime, and kids just love them! Make extra for healthy, after-school snacks all week long!
- Squash varieties are a healthy alternative to high-carb veggies like potatoes or carrots. Full of flavor and zero fat, this recipe has a keto version and instructions for roasted zucchini sticks in the oven!
Ingredients and Variations
Zucchini: No need to peel zucchini squash for this recipe! Choose firm and heavy zukes that don’t have any soft spots or discoloration. Slice into sticks or thick chips.
Breading: Panko breadcrumbs always deliver the best crunch and create a deep-fried style coating without the excess oil. Switch out the Panko for equal amounts of crushed pork rinds for a low-carb keto version. Stick to the basic spices here or punch up the flavors with a DIY taco seasoning, or an Italian blend to match the menu!
Variations: Make a fried veggie medley and include cauliflower or broccoli florets cut small for dipping!
How to Cook Zucchini in the Air Fryer
- Mix breading ingredients together and set aside (as described in the recipe card below).
- Add flour to a zippered bag.
- Beat egg and milk in a separate bowl.
- Toss zucchini in flour and shake off the excess.
- Dip zucchini sticks into the egg mixture and then the coating mixture.
- Place zucchini sticks in the air fryer in a single layer. Lightly spray with pan release and cook until they are browned and crispy.
NOTE: You may or may not need to flip the zucchini sticks over, depending on your air fryer.
How to Bake Zucchini Sticks in the Oven
- Spray zucchini sticks with pan release and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake at 425°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Delicious Dipping Sauces
Dip zucchini sticks just like French fries into ketchup, ranch dressing, or bleu cheese dressing. For a more festive and fun dip, try a zesty boat dip or a hearty Velveeta Rotel dip.
Leftover Zucchini?
- Keep leftover zucchini sticks in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Spritz leftover zucchini sticks with pan release and reheat them in the air fryer or under the broiler until they are crisped up.
- Serve them as a side (and dipper!) to a creamy tomato soup or a kid-friendly chili mac.
- To make frozen zucchini sticks for future use, air fry them until the coating is just beginning to harden, but has not yet browned, and store them in zippered bags in the freezer for up to 2 months. Air fry them from frozen until they are golden brown and cooked through.
More Air Fryer Appetizers!
Have you tried this Air Fryer Zucchini Sticks Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below!
Air Fryer Zucchini Sticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 zucchini about 12-16 ounces, cut into ½ inch sticks
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 Tablespoon milk
- cooking spray
Breading Mixture:
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs or regular bread crumbs
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper or to taste
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400˚F.
- In a medium shallow dish, mix together the breading mixture ingredients with a fork and set aside.
- Add flour to a small bowl (or zip top bag). In a separate small bowl, add beaten egg and milk.
- Toss zucchini in the flour. If time permits, allow to rest for 15 minutes (up to 1 hour). Shake excess.
- Dip zucchini in egg until coated. Dip in breading mixture until well coated, pressing mixture on to bind.
- Place zucchini sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with cooking spray.
- Cook, in multiple batches, for 11-14 minutes, or until cooked to your liking*.
Notes
- *I find that zucchini in the air fryer crisp up nicely and do not need to be flipped. But, depending on your air fryer, you may wish to flip after 6 minutes and spay lightly with cooking spray again.
- Oven instructions: Bake at 425F for 25-30 minutes, checking for doneness after 20 minutes. Flip after 15 minutes for most even browning.
- Refrigerate leftover zucchini sticks for up to 3 days.
- Make zucchini in the air fryer and freez for 2 months.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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