My Air Fryer Zucchini is a simple and delicious side dish that can be made in just 15 minutes! I roast nutritious zucchini in the air fryer and top it with lemon juice and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It's a versatile dish that's equally suitable for a casual summer barbecue or elegant holiday dinner. This gluten-free recipe has no breading and is perfect if you're following a low carb or keto diet.
I love using my air fryer, especially in the summertime when I don't feel like turning on the oven. Not only is air frying a healthy way of cooking, it's also so convenient! I make everything from quesadillas to coconut shrimp to turkey burgers, and salmon teriyaki in the air fryer.
Air fryers heat up quickly, cook food really fast, and are easy to clean. Because of the way they work, air fryers are also great for cooking vegetables.
Air fryers have a mechanical fan that helps circulate hot air around your food very efficiently. This produces roasted vegetables that are beautifully caramelized in a fraction of the amount of time it would take to cook in the oven!
This Air Fryer Zucchini is my new favorite way to cook zucchini. I think you'll love it too!
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Why You'll Love This Dish
- So yummy- your kids will gobble it up too
- Quick and easy- make this dish in 15 minutes
- Healthy- made with nutritious zucchini
- Low carb- perfect if you're following a low carb or keto diet
- Gluten free- made with no breading
- Versatile side dish- the perfect to accompaniment to chicken, steak or fish
Can You Cook Zucchini in an Air Fryer?
Yes, air frying is an excellent way to cook zucchini! Air fryers heat up quickly and cook food really fast. You can make perfectly roasted zucchini in the air fryer in just 5-7 minutes. That's less time than it takes to preheat most ovens!
This Air Fryer Zucchini recipe uses no breading. I simply toss diced zucchini with olive oil and seasonings before cooking it. The end result is zucchini that's perfectly cooked on the inside with nice caramelization on the outside. If you prefer to make zucchini coins, you can slice the zucchini into thin rounds before roasting it in the air fryer.
If you're looking for a recipe with breading, you can try my Crispy Zucchini Fries. I make those by coating zucchini planks in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs before baking them.
You can pretty much cook anything that you would typically cook in an oven in an air fryer. After all, an air fryer is basically a small convection oven that sits on your countertop. You just need to adjust the cooking temperature and time.
Learn how to adapt any recipe to cook in your air fryer! Read my Easy Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Guide and get my helpful conversion chart!
Low Carb + Keto Air Fried Zucchini
This healthy Air Fryer Zucchini recipe uses no breading, and is low carb and keto. One serving has only 3 grams net carbs. If you're looking for another low carb zucchini recipe, try my Low Carb & Keto Stuffed Zucchini Boats.
Zucchini is a low starch vegetable and is an excellent choice if you're on a low carb or keto diet. For 1 cup of chopped zucchini with skin, you will get 3.9 g total carbs, 2.7 g net carbs, 0.4 g fat, and 1.5 g protein per the USDA.
Zucchini is also a very nutritious vegetable. It's low in calories and is packed with water and fiber. It’s a good source of several beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, especially vitamin C.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Zucchini (No Breading)
Ingredient Notes:
- Zucchini- choose firm, medium-sized zucchini. You can also use yellow summer squash.
- Seasonings- I use garlic powder, Italian seasoning and kosher salt. You can substitute other herbs and spices like dried basil, oregano or parsley.
- Parmesan cheese and lemon juice- I like to sprinkle on freshly grated Parmesan cheese and lemon juice when the zucchini comes out of the air fryer for an extra pop of flavor.
Equipment
You'll need an air fryer to make this healthy roasted zucchini dish. There are many different brands on the market. I use this Ninja Air Fryer. It has a 5.5 quart capacity, which I think is good for a family of four.
Step-By-Step Instructions
See recipe card below for full recipe details.
- Step 1- Dice the zucchini into thick pieces (about ยพ-inch wide). I like to do this by slicing the zucchini in half lengthwise and then slicing it again into quarters. Then I dice it into pieces.
- Step 2- Toss the zucchini in a bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt.
- Step 3- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Put the zucchini in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook the zucchini in batches if needed.
- Step 4- Cook zucchini 5-7 minutes to desired tenderness. Transfer zucchini to a serving bowl and top with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and some freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Devour!
Chef's Tips
- Preheat the air fryer before putting your food in.
- Cut the zucchini pretty thick (about ยพ inch). If you cut it thinner, the zucchini may end up turning to mush in the air fryer.
- Arrange the zucchini in a single layer in the air fryer so that it cooks evenly and gets nicely caramelized. Don't overcrowd the basket otherwise you may end up with soggy zucchini. Cook it in batches if needed.
- Shake the basket or flip the zucchini halfway through.
- If you like your zucchini with a little bite, remove it after about 5 minutes. If you like it softer, cook a minute or two longer.
What To Serve With This Dish
This versatile Air Fryer Roasted Zucchini is a tasty side dish that can be served with just about anything from chicken to burgers to seafood and pork.
It's perfect for summer entertaining when you're grilling up dishes like my Beef Kofta Kebabs, Tandoori Chicken Kebabs or Grilled Salmon Burgers. You can even serve this dish at your holiday table.
Recipe FAQs
Whole, raw zucchini can last up to a week in the fridge. To maximize storage time, do not wash raw, uncut zucchini before refrigerating it. Excess moisture can lead to mold so it's best to dry it off with a kitchen towel or paper towel and then place it in a plastic bag. Leave the top open for ventilation and place it in the crisper drawer in the fridge.
I make this air fried zucchini with just zucchini, olive oil, and seasonings. At the end, I sprinkle on some lemon juice and grated parmesan cheese for extra flavor. I don't use any breading in this recipe, which also makes it gluten free. If you are looking for a recipe with breading, you can try my Crispy Zucchini Fries.
Yes! Air frying is a healthy cooking method that uses minimal oil. Zucchini is a very nutritious vegetable. It's low in calories and is packed with water and fiber. It’s a good source of several beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, especially vitamin C. Zucchini is also a low starch vegetable and is an excellent choice if you're on a low carb or keto diet.
I cook this Air Fryer Zucchini for 5-7 minutes in my Ninja Air Fryer. The cooking time will vary depending on the make and model of your air fryer and also on how thick you slice your zucchini. If you like your zucchini with a little bite, remove it after 5 minutes. If you like it softer, the cook time will be closer to 6 or 7 minutes.
Yes, this air fryer zucchini uses no breading and is low carb and keto. One serving has only 3 grams net carbs. Zucchini is a low starch vegetable and is an excellent choice if you're on a low carb or keto diet.
Looking for more delicious and healthy Air Fryer Recipes? Check out my Air Fryer Recipe Collection.
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Recipe
Air Fryer Zucchini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound zucchini (about 2 medium)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cut the zucchini into ¾-inch pieces. Toss the zucchini in a large bowl with the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Place zucchini in the air fryer basket in a single layer (cook zucchini in batches if needed). Cook 5-7 minutes, tossing halfway through.
- Remove zucchini from the air fryer and place in a serving bowl. Top with lemon juice and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Preheat the air fryer before putting your food in.
- Cut the zucchini pretty thick (about ยพ inch). If you cut it thinner, the zucchini may end up turning to mush in the air fryer.
- Arrange the zucchini in a single layer in the air fryer so that it cooks evenly and gets nicely caramelized. Don't overcrowd the basket otherwise you may end up with soggy zucchini. Cook it in batches if needed.
- Shake the basket or flip the zucchini halfway through.
- If you like your zucchini with a little bite, remove it after about 5 minutes. If you like it softer, cook a minute or two longer.
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