If you are looking for a healthier alternative to classic French fries. Then look no further than zucchini fries cooked in an air fryer. Zucchini fries ate a great way of enjoying crispy textured fries with low-calorie counts and more nutritional value. And making it in an air fryer makes the fries even healthier with minimal cleanup.
Zucchini is a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate vegetable that is high in vitamins A and C, fiber, and potassium. That makes this vegetable an excellent ingredient to include in your diet. And when made into fries, zucchini provides a crispy texture similar to traditional fries but with less fat and calories. These are also gluten-free, making them great options for those who are on dietary restrictions.
Why You Will Love This Recipe?
There are many reasons to love making zucchini fries in an air fryer. Here are a few of them:
- Healthier option: Making zucchini fries in an air fryer is more nutritious than traditional French Fries. Cooking them in an air fryer requires little to no oil.
- Crispy texture: These fries are crispy without the need for deep frying as the air fryer cooks food with hot air circulating around the food.
- Gluten-free: These are naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for those with allergies or celiac disease due to gluten.
- Great for kids. Kids love crispy food. And making zucchini fries in an air fryer can make them eat more vegetables. And who doesn’t want that, right?
- Less mess: Making zucchini fries in an air fryer is less messy than making a greasy stove top, and there is no need to deal with hot oil.
- Quick and easy: Cooking zucchini fries in an air fryer is quick and easy. No need to wait for the oil to heat up, nor do you wait for the oven to come to the right temperature.
How Does An Air Fryer Work?
An air fryer is basically a mini convection oven that sits on your countertop. An air fryer cooks with oil rather than oil.
An Air fryer has a heating element on top that circulates hot air through a fan around your food. This makes your food crispy from the outside, keeping the juiciness and moistness on the inside.
Important Ingredients Used In The Recipe
- Zucchini: choose zucchini that are firm, heavy, and without blemishes. You don’t have to peel the zucchini to make fries. Slice into thick sticks like French fries.
- Cornstarch: cornstarch is used in this recipe to thicken up the batter a little so that panko sticks to the zucchini properly. You can replace this with corn flour or even all-purpose flour.
- Seasonings: I have used paprika powder, garlic powder, and salt to flavor the zucchini.
- Panko: panko gives the zucchini a crispy texture. If you do not have panko, you can use breadcrumbs. However, panko absorbs less oil and results in lighter and crunchier fried foods.
- Milk: milk will provide zucchini with a light and crispy texture. You can also use eggs.
How To Make Zucchini Fries In An Air Fryer?
For complete instructions, see the recipe box.
- Preparation: collect all the ingredients needed for the recipe. Cut the zucchini into thick sticks. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for a few minutes.
- Make Batter: Meanwhile, prepare the batter by mixing milk, cornstarch, salt, and all the seasonings.
- Coat zucchini sticks: Dip zucchini stick into the batter, then coat it with panko. Repeat the same with the rest of the zucchinis.
- Cook: Place the coated zucchini in the air fryer basket in one single layer. Do not overcrowd the basket, as it may lead to unevenly cooked zucchini fries. Cook them for 10-12 minutes. Flipping them halfway through cooking o ensure even cooking.
- Serve: Carefully remove them from the basket with a tong. Serve with your favorite dip or sauce.
Chef’s Tip For The Recipe
Cook In Batches
Do not overcrowd the basket. Make sure to cook them in one single layer. This will ensure that the fries cook evenly and come out crispy.
Tip For Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer. This will also ensure even cooking and crispy fries.
Keep an eye on the cooking time. Cooking time may depend on the thickness of the zucchinis and the type of air fryer that you are using.
More Easy Recipes
Try my other air fryer recipe; I am sure you will love them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can reheat them in the air fryer. To reheat, place them in the air fryer basket and cook them for 5-7 minutes. The air fryer will bring back the crispiness of the zucchini fries, just like how it was at first.
To store the fried zucchini, keep it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 days. You can air-fry them to reheat later.
To prevent zucchini fries from becoming soggy in the air fryer, make sure to pat dry freshly cut zucchini with paper towels. Also, try not to overcrowd the air fryer basket; flip them halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
The zucchini fries should be done when they are evenly brown in color. For doneness, you check the zucchinis by pressing them with tings or a fork; if it’s firm and crispy, it’s done, and if it’s soft and mushy, they need more time to cook in the air fryer.
