Description
Crispy air fryer zucchini rounds deliver a golden, herb-infused side dish perfect for health-conscious snackers. Parmesan cheese and light seasoning elevate these vegetable chips from simple to sensational, satisfying you with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 zucchini (small/medium, about 1.14 pounds or 516 grams)
- 1.5 tablespoons (22.5 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
Coating Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) white whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) ground black pepper
Instructions
- Slice zucchini into uniform quarter-length strips, then cut crosswise into half-moon shapes approximately 3/4-inch thick, ensuring consistent sizing for even cooking.
- Thoroughly coat zucchini pieces with olive oil, gently tumbling to guarantee complete and even coverage.
- Combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, flour, salt, onion powder, and ground pepper in a mixing vessel, creating a seasoned coating mixture.
- Generously sprinkle the seasoned mixture over oiled zucchini, delicately tossing to achieve a comprehensive and uniform breading.
- Heat air fryer to 400°F, preparing for precise cooking temperature.
- Arrange zucchini pieces in a single layer within air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding to ensure crisp exterior.
- Cook for 7-9 minutes, pausing midway to shake basket and promote consistent golden-brown coloration and prevent sticking.
- Remove when zucchini reaches tender consistency with crispy exterior, displaying golden-brown edges without becoming overly soft or mushy.
Notes
- Pat zucchini dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crispy texture that doesn’t become soggy during air frying.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which prevents proper air circulation and results in uneven cooking of the zucchini pieces.
- Experiment with different herbs and spices like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or smoked paprika to customize the flavor profile and keep the dish exciting.
- For a gluten-free version, swap panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed nuts like almonds for a crunchy alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 115
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 191mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 3mg