Air Fryer Zucchini Chips are an easy snack or appetizer to make with zucchini. The air fryer helps create a crispy outer breading on the zucchini but a tender piece of zucchini on the inside. It is the perfect way to use zucchini! Serve it with a warm marinara sauce for dipping.
I just can’t quit summer in my house. I still have a lot of summer produce to use up and have been creating delicious ways to use it up. Zucchini is in abundance in people’s gardens and at the farmers markets right now. Today’s Air Fryer Zucchini Chips are one of my all-time favorite ways to use up zucchini.
I actually tried something similar at a restaurant with my friends in Pittsburg at an Italian restaurant and was obsessed. The restaurant actually sliced the zucchini all the way down into large pieces instead of small chips but I thought this was more practical for families, especially with kids.
This is one of those recipes you can make and set out on the counter with some marinara dipping sauce and the kids can gobble it up. I also really like making this as an appetizer for guests. You can double or triple the recipe and feed a large crowd. There is something so good about the crispy breading on the zucchini and the tender inside.
These are the perfect snack or side dish! Here is why we love this recipe:
• Easy to Make: I love how easy these are to make. The bulk of your time will be the breading process where you are dipping the zucchini chips in the egg, flour and breadcrumbs. When using your air fryer you also have almost no clean-up involved which is so nice. • Easy Snack: I like to serve these as an appetizer with a warm marinara sauce on the side. They also make a great snack for adults and kids. • Great Way to Get Veggies In: If you are looking to incorporate more vegetables into your daily diet this is a great way! I love zucchini but sometimes
These simple pantry staples are all you need. See the recipe card below for exact amounts and printable instructions.
Zucchini: if you can find a medium zucchini that works best. I like to cut them into rounds but you could also cut them into strips.
Panko Breadcrumbs: the panko breadcrumbs for this recipe. I like the texture they add. You also can use regular breadcrumbs.
Parmesan Cheese: grated Parmesan cheese is added to the breading. It helps create a nice crisp zucchini chip.
Spices: the spice mixture in this recipe is garlic powder, Italian seasoning and paprika. This helps create flavor in the breading.
How do Make Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Preheat your air fryer at 450 degrees F for 5 minutes.
Step 1: Cut Zucchini: Cut the zucchini into evenly sliced coin sized circles. Pat them dry with a paper towel to pull moisture.
Step 2: Add Breading Ingredients to Bowl: In two separate shallow bowls add the beaten egg and the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese {stir the cheese and breadcrumbs together}.In a third bowl combine the flour, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper and stir well.
Step 3: Coat Zucchini: Use your hands or tongs to dip each zucchini round in the flour mixture, then egg mixture, then panko mixture. Place in a single layer on baking sheet. Repeat for all of the zucchini and set on a large plate.
Repeat until all zucchini slices are coated. Spray chips with cooking spray or lightly drizzle with oil.
Step 4: Cook in Air Fryer: Spray the air fryer with nonstick spray. Working in batches add the zucchini to the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes, flip and cook for another 5 minutes or until the breading is becoming golden brown and crispy.
Use tongs to carefully remove the zucchini and set them on the plate. Repeat with the remaining zucchini. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm with marinara sauce.
Recipe Tip: Don’t make the mistake of overcrowding the zucchini chips. They will not cook properly and some will not get crispy.
Recipe Variations
Gluten-free: If you want your zucchini chips to be glute-free you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond meal instead of the regular breadcrumbs.
Seasoning: You can spice up your zucchini chips with spices. Try adding cayenne red pepper, paprika, Greek seasoning, cajun seasoning or za’atar.
Cheese: You can swap out the Parmesan cheese with Pecorino Romano cheese or mozzarella cheese.
Dipping Sauce: I like to serve these with a homemade tomato sauce but you could also serve with ranch, Tahini Sauce or a Creamy Dill Sauce.
Herbs: Herbs can be added to the breadcrumb mixture or you can use them for garnish. I like fresh basil, dill or parsley.
Non-Egg: If you don’t want to use eggs in this recipe try buttermilk or yogurt to help coat the zucchini and help the breadcrumbs stick.
Recipe Tips
Choosing Zucchini: Make sure you pick the right kind of zucchini for this recipe. You want a younger, firmer zucchini because they tend to be less watery.
Even Slicing: When slicing your zucchini make sure that you are evenly slicing using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer to cut the zucchini into uniform slices. I try to do slices that are about 1/4 inch thick. This helps to ensure the zucchini cooks evenly.
Pat Dry: It helps to pat your zucchini dry with a paper towel before you bread it. This helps to pull the moisture out so the chips don’t get mushy.
Season: I like to add a sprinkle of salt and another seasoning like paprika or Italian seasoning after they are done cooking. This just ensures there is enough flavor!
Storage Tips
Storage: You can store these in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Reheating: When you want to reheat your zucchini chips you can air fryer them for a couple of minutes and they should be heated through.
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips are an easy snack or appetizer to make with zucchini. The air fryer helps create a crispy outer breading on the zucchini but a tender piece of zucchini on the inside.
1/4cupParmesan cheese , finely grated {optional- you could just use more breadcrumbs if you don't want cheese in this}
2eggs, beaten
1/2cupall purpose flour
1teaspoon garlic powder
1teaspoonItalian seasoning
1teaspoonpaprika, {optional}
1/2teaspoonsalt
1/8teaspoonblack pepper
parsley, for garnish
Tomato sauce , for dipping
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer at 450 degrees F for 5 minutes. Cut the zucchini into evenly sliced coin sized circles.
Using a paper towel pat dry the zucchini rounds to pull moisture and ensure that the chips get crispy. It really helps if you have time to let the zucchini rounds sit for 30 minutes and then pat them dry.
In two separate shallow bowls add the beaten egg and the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese {stir the cheese and breadcrumbs together}.
In a third bowl combine the flour, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper and stir well.
Use your hands or tongs to dip each zucchini round in the flour mixture, then egg mixture, then panko mixture. Place in a single layer on baking sheet. Repeat for all of the zucchini and set on a large plate.
Repeat until all zucchini slices are coated. Spray chips with cooking spray or lightly drizzle with oil.
Spray the air fryer with cooking spray. Working in batches add the zucchini to the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes, flip and cook for another 5 minutes or until the breading is becoming golden brown and crispy.
Use tongs to carefully remove the zucchini and set them on the plate. Repeat with the remaining zucchini. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm with marinara sauce.
Notes
Using a paper towel pat dry the zucchini rounds to pull moisture and ensure that the chips get crispy. It really helps if you have time to let the zucchini rounds sit for 30 minutes and then pat them dry.
You can store these in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
When you want to reheat your zucchini chips you can air fryer them for a couple of minutes and they should be heated through.
I'm Julia. Wife, mom to three growing boys, lover of food. Here you will find quick & easy weeknight meal ideas, kid-friendly recipes and a few sweet treats. My roots are from the Mediterranean and many of my recipes incorporate those flavors!
A great new appetizer for our family parties