Goodbye, grease. Suck it, splatter. Move it, mush. Air Fryer Zucchini is a veritable celebration of this beloved summer favorite. This super simple side cooks up quickly and cleanly in your air fryer. Toss and garnish with herbs to level up the mellow, buttery flavor.
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Air fryer fans know that this device is a magical vortex of deliciousness that saves time, space, and cleanup. But twasn’t until I tackled one of our most problematic summer squashes that I truly understood why it’s so easy to become obsessed.
You know those running jokes about bananas? How you buy them and almost ALWAYS miss peak banana? Happens in the moment you’re not looking at them. You check – they’re green… they’re green… they’re green… you go grab the mail, come back, they’re brown. Well, I have this conundrum with cooked zucchini going from raw to mush in the blink of an eye.
Why? Why, zucchini, why? So tasty. So seasonal. And yet, sometimes nothing can save you. Don’t get me wrong – I still eat it because the flavor still works and fresh summer veggies are a limited-time-only offer I won’t pass up – but that texture? Think mid-range hotel conference buffet line at the end of dinner service after it’s been overcooked and then sweat under a heat lamp for 2 hours.
I’ve developed plenty of zucchini recipes for this site and should probably add disclaimers to all that for every second you cook it over the time stated in the recipe or for every fraction of a milliliter of oil over the suggested amount you use, your chances of rendering it into pudding increase exponentially. And then I got an air fryer.
And when you cook zucchini in an air fryer, it hits that perfect tender spot between soft and firm, with the perfect amount of crust. It got there with less time, less grease, and certainly less hovering. Magical vortex indeed.
How to Cook Air Fryer Zucchini
Take this as your sign to swap out your saute pan this summer. Air Fryer Zucchini cuts out the grease and the guesswork. Even better, it gives this delicate squash absolutely beautiful texture. Simply slice and season to prep. Cooks in under 15 minutes, with a few mid-cycle tosses for even browning.
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- Slice the zucchini lengthwise, then widthwise into ½” moon shapes.
- Combine the zucchini, oil, and seasoning in a bowl and toss until coated.
- Place zucchini in air fryer basket in an even layer no more than halfway.
- Cook 12 minutes at 400°F, shaking every 3-4 minutes.
- Garnish and serve immediately.
Chef’s Tips
- Oil in a separate bowl – don’t use aerosol spray in your air fryer basket; if you need to add a bit more oil while cooking, use a mister instead.
- Preheat your air fryer as required (check manufacturer instructions).
- Arrange in an even layer. Some overlap is fine, but don’t fill the basket more than halfway full.
- Shake every 3-4 minutes for more browning, but at least once, halfway through.
May It Your Way
Zucchini shines with Italian flavors. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese before or after air frying. Garnish with fresh, flat-leaf (Italian) parsley instead of basil. And feel free to give it a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a zippy finish!
More Air Fryer Veggie Sides
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Air Fryer Zucchini
Description
Ingredients
- 3 small to medium zucchini, about 1 lb
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- chopped fresh basil, to taste
Instructions
- Slice the zucchini lengthwise, then widthwise into ½” moon shapes.
- In a large bowl, combine the zucchini, olive oil and italian seasoning. Toss until well combined, and be sure each piece is evenly coated.
- Arrange the zucchini into an even layer in the basket of an air fryer. Do not fill more than halfway.
- Program the air fryer to 400°F. Cook 12 minutes, shaking every 4 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and golden brown.
- Season with salt and pepper, then garnish with fresh basil. Serve immediately.
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