Parmesan Garlic Zucchini Fries (Air Fryer or Oven)

Golden brown and crispy, these parmesan garlic zucchini fries are amazing every time! Perfect as a side or appetizer! This healthy dish is the best way to make fried zucchini without all of the oil. Serve with warm marinara for dipping.

 

Why We Love Parmesan Garlic Zucchini Fries

• Crunchy and golden brown, with just the right amount of delicious parmesan and garlic.
• Easy to make, and disappear just as quickly. This is my favorite way to eat zucchini.
• Healthier option compared to fried zucchini, and a vegetable side that kids and adults both love.
• A delicious way to use more zucchini when it is plentiful in the summer and uses simple ingredients.

Ingredients For Parmesan Garlic Zucchini Fries

• 2 medium zucchini– Look for zucchini that is 7-8 inches long. 3-4 small sized zucchini also works well. Sometimes in the summer zucchini can be even larger. I usually save that zucchini for zucchini muffins or zucchini pork meatballs because it usually has extra water inside.
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup flour
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs- Sometimes this is called Japanese Panko breading.
• 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon salt

You’ll also need a spray cooking oil. I like using avocado oil or olive oil that has no propellants because it doesn’t stick to my air fryer basket as much when cleaning.

How To Make Parmesan Garlic Zucchini Fries

Prepping The Zucchini

Slice and prep the zucchini into long thick slices that resemble fries. It’s important to keep the zucchini in pieces that are all about the same size so that they cook evenly.  

Slice the ends off the zucchini, then slice in half down the middle the short way. Slice each piece in half the long way so you now have four pieces the same size. Slice each piece of zucchini into four long pieces. Repeat for each zucchini, trying to keep the slices close to the same size.

Dry the zucchini with a paper towel so any extra moisture is removed. This helps the breading to stick better. Fresh zucchini from the garden or in summer may need to be patted dry a little extra.

Mixing the Spices And Panko Breadcrumbs

Mix together the herbs and spices with the panko. These ingredients will not only give the zucchini it’s crunchy coating, it will also help to give this dish a lot of flavor.

Coating The Zucchini In Breading

Dip the zucchini first in the flour mixture.

Then dip the same piece of zucchini in the egg mixture.

Then dip the zucchini in the garlic panko parmesan mixture.

I’ve found using a fork to scoop the zucchini from the egg and a second fork when coating the breadcrumbs is helpful. This helps to keep the breadcrumbs more on the zucchini and bunched up less on your fingers. I use this same technique when making air fryer mozzarella sticks.

Zucchini Breading Tip: Work from left to right to coat the zucchini! I use my left hand for the flour and dropping the zucchini in the egg. I then use my right hand to remove the zucchini from the egg and to coat the zucchini in breadcrumbs. This helps me to keep one hand drier so the breading doesn’t end up clumping too much, and can be done in the other direction if you are left-handed.

Place the parmesan zucchini fries in a single layer on a baking sheet to get ready to cook.

Directions For Using The Air Fryer

• Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
• Place the panko-crusted zucchini in the air fryer basket so they are not touching. Spray zucchini lightly with cooking oil. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
• Cook zucchini for 10 minutes. Then flip the zucchini or shake the basket if you have a basket-style air fryer. Cook for an additional 2-6 minutes or until zucchini are crispy on the outside.
• You can crisp up the zucchini even more at the end if it’s still not quite crispy enough, which can vary from machine to machine. Turn up the temperature to 425 and cook for 1-2 minutes or until the zucchini has reached your desired crispiness.
• Serve immediately with your favorite dip, sprinkle with fresh parsley and enjoy!

Directions For Using The Oven

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Oil two baking pans or line with parchment paper.
• Space out the zucchini on the pan so there is a little space between each piece. Spray lightly with cooking oil.
• Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and flip all of the zucchini. Spritz lightly again with a little cooking oil, then bake for an additional 10 minutes until golden brown.
• If your zucchini still isn’t quite as crispy as you’d like place the zucchini under the broiler for 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully as the hot air can brown things very quickly!
• Serve immediately with your favorite dip, sprinkle with fresh parsley and enjoy!

Variations

For a pop of heat, try adding a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to the panko mixture.

Swap the seasoning for two tablespoons of Everything But The Bagel Seasoning

Try dipping in a smokey BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, fry sauce, or even tzatziki. Or use your favorite dipping sauce.

Try it with a blend of Asiago, Romano and Parmesan cheese

Other types of soft summer squash can be used such as yellow squash, cousa squash or golden zucchini. Learn more about types of soft summer squash here. Then use your leftover zucchini and other summer squash to make this summer squash pasta salad.

Instead of making Zucchini fries with flour and bread crumbs, you can make a version of this recipe with just herbs and parmesan. Try this Baked Parmesan Zucchini if you prefer a version without flour. Some versions without flour also use almond flour to make the zucchini have a crunchier outside. I haven’t tried using almond flour, but I’d love to hear in the comments if you try it!

How To Tell If Zucchini Is Bad?

Zucchini is pretty easy to tell if it’s bad as it usually molds or has spots of decay on it. If your zucchini has black spots or mold do not eat it! Zucchini can have a lot of water in it, which can sometimes make it mold fairly quickly.

Zucchini will usually last 1-2 weeks. Storing zucchini in the fridge helps to extend its freshness. Sometimes when zucchini has been sprayed with misters in the grocery store, or in the summer when it is full of more water, zucchini will go bad a little faster.

Sometimes zucchini will start to go soft super but hasn’t quite gone bad. This zucchini hasn’t spoiled yet but it doesn’t give the best texture to zucchini fries. I recommend shredding super soft zucchini and use it in other zucchini recipes. These zucchini chocolate chip muffins and zucchini banana bread have just the right amount of sweetness. Or try savory zucchini meatballs or Zucchini Puffs.

Shredded zucchini can be frozen, just pat it really dry after defrosting before adding it to a recipe.

How Can I Make These Zucchini Fries In The Air Fryer?

You can absolutely make air fryer zucchini fries in the air fryer using this recipe! An air fryer cooks a little hotter than an oven, so I recommend lowering the temperature of the air fryer to 400 degrees. After 10 minutes flip the zucchini with tongs or give the air fryer basket a good shake. Crispy fried zucchini in the air fryer that is faux fried like this recipe usually will take 12-16 minutes total.

Cook times and temperatures can vary on an air fryer from brand to brand. Watch the zucchini carefully the first time you make it so you don’t accidentally overcook them.

I also still recommend spritzing the zucchini fries with a really light spray of cooking oil. This is way less oil than frying, but I’ve found just a little will help the zucchini to crisp up even better.

How Do I Make My Zucchini Crispier?

Even when you’ve cooked the zucchini just like the recipe says, you’d still like it a little crunchier on the outside. Here’s how to get that extra crunchy golden brown coating if yours isn’t quite as crunchy as you’d like after cooking. Air fryers and ovens can vary from machine to machine, and these two methods will help give your zucchini that final crunch.

Use The Air Fryer To Make Zucchini Crispier

Bump the temperature up to 425 for a few minutes at the end of cooking if they aren’t quite crispy enough. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until you’ve reached the desired level of crispiness.

Spritzing the zucchini lightly with a little bit of oil before increasing the heat can also help them crisp more if needed.

This variation just usually means either your air fryer doesn’t run quite as hot as other machines or your zucchini may be a little extra liquidy.

Use The Broiler To Make Zucchini Crispy

If the zucchini sticks didn’t come out as crispy as you would prefer, putting the pan under the broiler for a few minutes. This is a great way to make this recipe just a little more crispy.

Keep a close eye on the zucchini when under the broiler. The zucchini will likely need one to three minutes before it is done. I like to use the broiler at the end also when I’m making pizza zucchini boats or Italian style zucchini boats with ground beef.

Other Recipes You Will Love

Crispy Baked Potato Wedges– flavorful and crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside. These baked potato wedges are delicious!

Veggie Pinwheel Tortilla Rollups – This quick and easy veggie appetizer is so fun for a party or delicious for a quick lunch. Packed with veggies and cream cheese, if you love ranch you’ll love these pinwheels!

Air Fryer Homemade Mozzarella Sticks – Baked or air fried, these easy homemade mozzarella sticks make a delicious cheesey appetizer without all of the oil when fried.

Turkey Burger Sliders– These turkey burger slides are delicious with zucchini fries, they make the perfect side dish!