Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

These air fryer zucchini chips are crispy, golden brown, and filled with delicious Parmesan flavor. They're an easy, addictive side dish or snack!

Air fryer zucchini chips

Heads up: these air fryer zucchini chips are one delicious snack. They’re crispy on the outside, juicy in the middle, and filled with nutty Parmesan flavor. You might think you’re going to try just one, or maybe two, but if you’re anything like me, you’re not. You’re going to munch on these air fryer zucchini chips until every last one is gone!

I based this recipe on the baked zucchini chips I shared last summer. Both versions are super yummy, but at this time of year, I like how I can make the air fryer recipe without turning on the oven and heating up the house. Plus, Jack and I are always excited to experiment with air frying. 🙂 If you have any suggestions of what to try next, let me know in the comments!

Air fryer zucchini recipe ingredients

Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe Ingredients

You only need a handful of ingredients to make these air fryer zucchini chips:

  • Zucchini, of course! Look for two medium-sized ones that will have a nice “chip” shape when they’re sliced into rounds. Avoid using particularly large zucchini for this recipe. They’ll be too seedy and watery to make crisp chips.
  • An egg – It binds the crispy coating to the sliced zucchini.
  • Panko bread crumbs – They give the outside of the zucchini a delicious crunch.
  • Almond flour – It adds richness and nutty depth of flavor to the panko coating.
  • Parmesan cheese – For cheesy, savory flavor. To make this recipe vegan, use my vegan Parmesan instead of regular cheese, and replace the egg with 1/4 cup plant milk mixed with 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed.
  • Extra-virgin olive oil – You’ll drizzle it over the zucchini chips before placing them in the air fryer. It makes them extra-flavorful and crisp!
  • And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Sliced zucchini on a cutting board

First, slice the zucchini into 1/4-inch rounds, and pat them dry.

When you finish cutting the zucchini, mix together the panko, almond flour, Parmesan, and salt and pepper in a medium bowl, and beat the egg in a small bowl. Bread each zucchini slice by dipping it in the egg, followed by the panko mixture.

Place the breaded zucchini slices on a plate, drizzle them with olive oil, and cook!

Breaded zucchini on a baking sheet

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips Recipe Tips

  • Drizzle them with olive oil. The olive oil is essential for helping the air fryer zucchini chips brown as they cook, and it makes them taste more rich and flavorful. Whatever you do, don’t skip it! You’ll still use way less oil than you would if you were deep frying the zucchini.
  • Don’t crowd the air fryer. An air fryer works by constantly circulating hot air around whatever you’re cooking – in this case, zucchini chips. In order for them to become crisp and browned, the air needs to be able to contact them on all sides. Make sure to place the chips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space around each one. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Resist the temptation to crowd the air fryer. If you do, your chips will be soggy! P.S. I like this Instant Pot Air Fryer.
  • Eat them right away. These zucchini chips are best when they’re freshly cooked – crisp on the outside, juicy in the middle, and still hot from the air fryer. I recommend eating them right away, as they start to soften if they sit around.

Hand drizzling tray of air fryer zucchini chips with olive oil

What to Serve with Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

These air fryer zucchini chips are delicious plain, but I like them even more with a flavorful sauce for dipping. Try serving them with marinara, pesto, or romesco sauce.

Devour them on their own as a snack, or serve them as a side dish with a larger meal. Like my air fryer French fries, they’re a great accompaniment for a veggie burger or sandwich. They’d be fantastic with any of these recipes:

Enjoy!

Air fryer zucchini recipe

More Favorite Snacks and Sides

If you love these air fried zucchini chips, try one of these fun snacks or sides next:

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Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

rate this recipe:
4.81 from 21 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Serves 4
These air fryer zucchini chips are an easy, delicious side dish or snack! Serve them plain or with marinara sauce for dipping.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
  • Use a clean kitchen towel to pat dry the zucchini and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, whisk the egg. In a medium bowl, combine the panko, almond flour, Parmesan, salt, and several grinds of pepper.
  • Dip the zucchini slices into the egg and then into the panko mixture. Place on a plate as you work and then drizzle the slices with olive oil. Place in a single layer in the air fryer and air fry for 11 to 13 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown.
  • Serve immediately (they’ll become less crispy as they sit) with marinara for dipping, if desired.

Notes

*Make this recipe vegan by replacing the egg with ¼ cup nut milk mixed with 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed.
I use the Instant Pot Omni Plus Air Fryer, and it's great.

33 comments

4.81 from 21 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Reg
    08.16.2024

    5 stars
    Made a nice crispy snack fresh from our garden!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      08.23.2024

      Hi Reg, so glad you enjoyed them!

  2. Val
    06.11.2024

    5 stars
    So delicious! So happy to find a gf zucchini side. We love it & will make again.
    Highly recommend making this!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      06.12.2024

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

  3. Celia
    05.09.2024

    5 stars
    Amazing came out perfect!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      05.10.2024

      Hi Celia, I’m so glad you loved them!

  4. Alice
    10.27.2023

    5 stars
    I never knew Zucchini would taste this amazing. I love it! Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe. I’ll definitely try again.

  5. Leslie Githens
    08.13.2023

    5 stars
    I just made these last night. I used Wondra Flour, and added fresh garlic, fresh basil, and Italian seasoning. They were so golden and delicious! Thank you for the recipe!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      08.14.2023

      I’m so glad you loved them!

  6. Elizabeth Kendall
    12.21.2022

    Great air fryer recipe . I added ranch seasoning to my planko and bread crump and parmesan coating. Very delicious ?. Thanks ?

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      12.22.2022

      So glad you loved it!

  7. Cindy
    08.28.2022

    1 star
    I’m so confused….one egg with all the dry mixture made a dough ball like making bread.
    Where is the liquid? Can’t dip into that!!!!;?

    I’ve never tried this recipe. So how could I have left a comment?
    Waste of my time and ingredients!
    Will let all my food groups know…..

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      08.29.2022

      Hi Cindy, the egg gets mixed in its own separate bowl, not with the rest of the dry ingredients. Then each zucchini piece gets dipped into the egg, then the dipped into dry mixture. Hope that helps.

  8. Mary
    06.05.2022

    5 stars
    I’ve made this several times now, modifying just a touch for personal taste. It’s an absolute favorite in our house, thanks so much! I use Adobo seasoning in the panko mix, and a bit more cheese than called for. Otherwise followed almost exactly. Also found I needed to cook a bit longer, but that may be based on style of air fryer. Also, I’ve used a dipping sauce of sriracha ranch – try it! Thanks again.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      06.06.2022

      Hi Mary, ooh your additions sound so delicious. I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the recipe!

  9. LT
    03.07.2022

    5 stars
    So good! Like, sooooo good. Even my zucchini-HATING hubby thought they were delicious. It’s rainy and cold today and I was craving something warm and yummy for lunch… well this was the perfect tasty but healthy snack. Hubby and I just ate two whole zucchinis ?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      03.11.2022

      Yay! Ha, I’m so glad you both loved it 🙂

  10. Annaliese
    02.02.2022

    I have everything except almond flour. Would regular flour be a suitable replacement?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      02.02.2022

      hmm… it’s so different so it’s hard to say. I think it would be fine.

    • Mary
      06.06.2022

      I realize your question was months ago, but I’m just seeing! I use Wondra flour in the shaker can. It’s similar in consistency to almond flour.

  11. Henri
    08.13.2021

    I don’t have an air fryer… do you have any modifications that might work, i.e., regular baking or a sauté in an iron skillet maybe?

    • Viv
      09.01.2021

      Air Fryer is the best thing I’ve bought for my kitchen in years. Can’t live without it now. Kids now cook for themselves with no problem so it’s a win win situation. Love it.

      • Tom M
        06.13.2022

        5 stars
        I have to say that I had my doubts. This is completely different than the zucchini fries recipe that came with the air fryer. But it is far superior.m! Like others, I found the cooking them for about 15 minutes was about right. I do not have an air fryer oven I have a ninja foodie. Maybe that’s the difference. I also used olive oil spray and sprayed both sides of the chips. Per the suggestion of the raider below are used adobo seasoning instead of sea salt And I added a tiny bit of oregano to the breading. All these were very minor changes and wouldn’t have made a difference to the overall result which was a very crispy, very tasty zucchini chip. Thank you so much for sharing!

        • Jeanine Donofrio
          06.18.2022

          I’m so glad you loved them!

  12. Karyn
    08.09.2021

    Hello. Please state the name brand of your Air fryer. Thank you.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      08.09.2021

      Hi Karyn, it’s the Skinnytaste air fryer but it’s been discontinued.

  13. Lisa Ward
    07.26.2021

    5 stars
    My zucchini hating hubby loved these! (And so did I!) We just got an oven with air fry and it took a lot longer to get crispy, but they were great!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.26.2021

      I’m so glad you both loved them!

  14. 5 stars
    Great idea to bake! Not so greasy but still very yummy.

  15. Mary E
    06.21.2021

    We recently bought an air fryer; would love to see recipes for fried pickles, and also for fried jalapeños!

  16. Margaret
    06.21.2021

    Thinking of buying an air fryer… would you mind sharing which one you use and/or like?

    Thanks.

  17. celeb networth
    06.21.2021

    5 stars
    This sounds so easy, thank you for the nice recipe!

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.