This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Air Fryer Zucchini is the perfect side dish to just about any meal. With a drizzle of olive oil and a few simple seasonings, you get tender-crisp zucchini slices that are full of flavor and ready in 15 minutes. It’s an easy, healthy way to turn fresh zucchini into a golden, lightly caramelized veggie side everyone loves.
Turn your fresh zucchini into a main dish with these air fryer pizza boats!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
“This zucchini recipe was delicious with the right seasoning per instructions. I will never cook zucchini any other way.”
-Sharon
Quick Look At This Recipe
- ✨ Flavor: Lightly seasoned, tender-crisp zucchini with golden edges and a mild, savory flavor that pairs with almost anything.
- ⏱️ Prep time: 5 minutes
- 🔥 Cook time: 10 minutes
- ⏲️ Total time: 15 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 4
- 🥄 Tools: Basket-style air fryer, sharp knife, cutting board, and a small bowl for tossing the zucchini with oil and seasonings.
- ❄️ Freezer friendly: Not really! But you can prep it ahead. Slice the zucchini and mix with oil and seasonings up to a day ahead. Store covered in the fridge, then air fry just before serving for the best texture.
- 👩🏻🍳 Tip: For the crispiest results, cook in a single layer as overcrowding steams them instead of crisping!
SUMMARIZE AND SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
When zucchini season hits full swing, the air fryer becomes your best friend. It’s the easiest way to turn that steady summer harvest (or the extra zucchini you grabbed from the farmer’s market) into something irresistibly snackable.
You can do the same with other summer vegetables too—think air fryer corn on the cob, bell peppers, yellow squash, or even eggplant. Each one cooks up beautifully crisp outside and tender inside, with almost no oil or effort.
Pair these golden zucchini slices with just about anything off the grill or in the air fryer, like a juicy air fryer ribeye or air fryer pork chops. It’s that kind of unfussy, fresh, and summery recipe you’ll keep on repeat all season long.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This simple air fryer zucchini recipe is ready in under 15 minutes and makes a perfect side dish or healthy snack, just like my air fryer green bean fries recipe!
- Suitable for a Wide Variety of Diets: This air fryer zucchini recipe is keto, low carb, gluten- free, dairy-free, and nautrally vegan.
- Customizable: Experiment with a wide variety of seasonings and serve with just about any main dish from air fryer chicken breasts to air fryer salmon teriyaki bites.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Zucchini: Choose fresh, firm zucchini. Slice them into ¼-inch rounds.
- Olive oil: Helps the zucchini crisp and prevents sticking, but you can also use avocado oil for a lighter flavor.
- Seasonings: You definitely need salt, while garlic powder and black pepper are optional!
- Lemon juice: Adds a fresh, tangy finish.
A full list of ingredients is included in the recipe card below.
Variations
Zucchini is like a blank canvas, and it easily soaks up whatever flavors you throw at it! Here are a few easy seasoning ideas to change things up:
- Garlic-Herb: Add in some Italian seasoning along with some garlic powder and black pepper.
- Mediterranean: Add some oregano and thyme along with the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Everything Bagel: Toss hot zucchini with a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning for a savory, toasty crunch.
- Ranch-Style: Use my homemade ranch seasoning mix for a classic family favorite. It’s cool, herby, and perfect with a side of ranch dip.
- Spicy Kick: Add a little heat with smoked paprika, cayenne, or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Parmesan Toss: Toss hot zucchini with grated Parmesan for extra flavor and a salty finish, just like my Parmesan zucchini fries!
Each combo works with the same base recipe, so you can mix and match depending on what you’re serving—or whatever’s in your spice rack! For a breaded zucchini options, try my air fried zucchini chips.
How to Cook Zucchini in the Air Fryer
To get started, wash and dry each zucchini, and then slice it thinly into ¼ inch rounds for even cooking. You also want to preheat your air fryer or heat it for at least 3 minutes before adding the zucchini slices.
- Place the zucchini slices in a medium bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss until lightly coated. Add the seasonings and toss again.
- Arrange the zucchini in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. You may need to air fry the zucchini in batches.
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Adjust the time if needed for your preferred level of crispness.
- Remove from the air fryer and drizzle with fresh lemon juice before serving with your favorite air fryer dinner recipes.
Enjoy this air fried zucchini with air fryer country style ribs, these air fryer frozen pork chops, air fryer turkey breast, or these air fryer turkey legs.
Recipe Tip
- Cook in a Single Layer: Keep the zucchini slices in one even layer so they cook and brown evenly on both sides.
- Adjust for Thickness: If your zucchini rounds are sliced on the thicker side, add 2–3 extra minutes of cook time to make sure they’re tender and golden.
- Start with 2–4 Medium Zucchini: That’s about the right amount to fill a standard basket air fryer without overcrowding. Remember, they’ll shrink slightly as they cook.
- For Crispy “Chips”: Slice the zucchini thinner and follow the same steps for a snack-worthy batch of crisp, lightly browned chips.
If you are looking for more delicious air fryer zucchini recipes, try these air fryer zucchini fritters!
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: If you have leftovers (lucky you!), let the zucchini cool completely before storing. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Avoid sealing it while still warm—trapped steam will make the zucchini soft and watery.
- Reheating: The air fryer is the best way to bring back that light crispness. Preheat to 360°F and reheat the zucchini for 2–3 minutes, just until warmed through. The pieces will perk right back up without getting mushy. You can also reheat in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, but skip the microwave—it tends to make the zucchini limp.
Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe FAQ’S
Zucchini holds a lot of natural moisture, so it can easily steam instead of crisping if it’s crowded or too wet. For the best texture, don’t overcrowd the basket, and use just a light coating of oil. Air fry in a single layer so the hot air can circulate all around. If your slices are extra thick, add a minute or two to help them brown before they soften too much.
Yes! You can cut zucchini just about any way you like! Spears, half-moons, or rounds all work beautifully in the air fryer, and you can season them the same way as slices! The key is keeping the pieces about the same thickness so they cook evenly.
For half-moons, slice the zucchini in half lengthwise, then cut crosswise into ½- to 1-inch pieces. Air fry them at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For spears, cut each zucchini in half lengthwise, then slice each half into 3 or 4 long spears. Cook them at 390°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and just tender.
It’s best to stick with fresh zucchini for this recipe. Frozen zucchini releases a lot of water as it cooks, which keeps it from getting that lightly crisp, golden texture you want in the air fryer. If frozen is all you have, thaw it first, then drain and pat it very dry before cooking. Even then, it will turn out softer and less caramelized than fresh zucchini.
Nope! There’s no need to peel zucchini before air frying. The skin is thin, tender, and full of nutrients—and it actually helps the zucchini hold its shape while cooking. Just give it a quick rinse, trim off the ends, and slice as directed. Keeping the skin on means less prep and better texture once it’s air-fried.
More Air Fryer Vegetables
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Squash
Dinner
Air Fryer Eggplant
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Mushrooms
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Carrots
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR ⭐️ RATING in the COMMENTS 📝 SECTION below.
Air Fryer Zucchini
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2-4 medium zucchini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Optional:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Wash and dry each zucchini. Then, slice thinly, no more than ¼ of an inch in thickness.
- Place them in a medium bowl and then toss with olive oil until they are lightly are coated. Then, season with salt and pepper, or your favorite seasonings.
- Lay the zucchini pieces flat in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not stack or overlap, so work in batches if necessary.
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, shaking or tossing the zucchini halfway through cooking. Add additional time if necessary, until it reaches your desired crispness or tenderness. Drizzle with a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
Video
Notes
- Slice evenly for even cooking: Keep zucchini slices no thicker than ¼ inch, or you may need to extend the cooking time 2-3 minutes.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Air fry in batches so the air can circulate around the zucchini. This will result in crispier zucchini.
- Serve immediately: Zucchini is best enjoyed fresh and hot out of the air fryer.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This zucchini recipe was delicious with the right seasoning per instructions. I will never cook zucchini any other way. Thanks!
Thank you! We love this recipe. It’s one of my favorite ways to use up my extra zucchini in the summer! ๐
I tried this recipe and loved it! I had leftover zucchini and am wondering how you would reheat?
What thickness to slice for recipe?
1/4 inch? 1/2 inch? Please advise.
Thanks
I try to slice them about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Try to keep them the same size for even cooking. Hope that helps.
These sound delicious. I also want to try deep fried pickles
Thank you! We just shared a recipe for Air Fryer Fried Pickles. They are so yummy! Enjoy!