When my parents came to visit us about a month ago, they brought us a zucchini from my sister’s garden. If you’ve ever grown zucchini, then you know zucchinis tend to grow until they are rather large. This was one of those zucchinis.
I was pleased to have this giant piece of produce because I’d been wanting to try to make fried zucchini in the air fryer. I found a simple a recipe and gave it a try. I was quite satisfied with the flavor and texture of these Air Fryer Zucchini Chips.
Ingredients
(Adapted from this recipe.)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Several dashes salt and pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
- Vegetable oil spray (I used avocado oil)
Instructions
Mix together the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, beat the egg. Dip 1 zucchini slice into the egg and then into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to coat. Place the zucchini slice in the air fryer basket. Repeat with as many slices as you can place in the basket without the slices overlapping. Lightly spray the zucchini slices with oil.
Cook at 350°F for 10 minutes. Use tongs to flip the slices over, then cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from the air fryer and repeat with the remaining zucchini slices. Yield: 4 servings.
Notes
While I was preparing these, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thankfully, the end result was very good! The breading crisped right up and the flavor of the parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper complemented the zucchini perfectly. If you prepare this dish expecting the flavor of traditional fried zucchini, then you might be a little disappointed. Fried foods have a unique flavor that, in my experience, can’t quite be mimicked with the air fryer. If you prepare this recipe knowing it’ll be slightly different from zucchini that is fried by submerging it in hot oil, then I think you will be pleased with the flavor and texture of this healthier version. We certainly enjoyed it!
As you can see, the ingredients and instructions I’ve listed above are for a zucchini of normal size. If you are using a giant one, you’ll want to double the amounts of the ingredients and cook the zucchini slices for a little bit longer. However, the process and taste remain the same! Feel free to add additional seasonings to the breadcrumbs to give it extra flavor. I think I may try adding a little garlic powder or even a dash of cayenne next time!
Have you tried any new recipes lately? I’d love to hear about them!
Shared at the following:
What’s for Dinner? Link Up, Encouraging Hearts and Home, Weekend Potluck, and Busy Monday.
I like that you noted the air fryer and oil frying don’t taste the same. But sometimes the latter option is still quite tasty!! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. Hope you have an amazing week ahead.
There’s definitely a difference, but the air fryer still produces great food! We use ours several times each week.
I love zucchini chips and have had success in baking them since I don’t have an air fryer. I had one briefly and returned it because I wasn’t satisfied with the flavor, which you honestly admitted is not the same as actual fried food…I have been debating about getting another air fryer lately to see if they’re improved from the one I had, but they are so dang big, I don’t know if I want one cluttering up my counter!
I can see getting good results in the oven. I used to make homemade chicken fingers in the oven and got good results. I now make them in the air fryer and get similar results (like the zucchini, they don’t taste fried, but they taste similar to if they were baked).
I like the air fryer because it cooks quickly and doesn’t heat up the whole kitchen the way the oven does. This is so helpful during the summer months when it is already so hot!
I LOVE fried zucchini! This looks delicious.
I’m so glad it turned out well in the air fryer because I wasn’t certain it would. We really liked it!
I’m still learning and looking for ideas to make things in my new-ish air-fryer. These look really good. thanks
This is a great option, Judee! It takes a bit of work, but it’s worth it in the end.