Description
These Air Fryer Zucchini rounds are a delightful, crispy snack or side dish made by coating fresh zucchini slices in a seasoned Parmesan and panko breadcrumb mixture, then air frying them to golden perfection. They’re quick to prepare, offering a healthier alternative to traditional fried zucchini with a satisfying crunch and flavorful coating.
Ingredients
Scale
Zucchini Preparation
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
Breading Mix
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Breading Stations
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
Cooking
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray
Optional
- Marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for frying the zucchini rounds evenly and to a crispy finish.
- Prepare Breading Mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all seasonings for a flavorful coating.
- Set Up Breading Stations: Place the all-purpose flour in a separate shallow bowl, and beat the large egg in another shallow bowl to prepare for the breading process.
- Flour Coating: Dip each zucchini round into the flour, shaking off any excess to avoid a clumpy coating, which helps the egg and breadcrumb stick properly.
- Egg Bath: Dip the floured zucchini slices into the beaten egg, ensuring both sides are well coated to act as a glue for the breadcrumb mixture.
- Breadcrumb Coating: Press each egg-coated zucchini round firmly into the breadcrumb mixture, covering thoroughly on both sides to achieve a crispy crust after air frying.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the breaded zucchini rounds in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Avoid crowding to allow hot air circulation. If necessary, cook in batches depending on the air fryer size.
- Apply Cooking Spray: Lightly spray the tops of the zucchini rounds with cooking spray or olive oil spray. This promotes browning and crispiness during air frying.
- Air Fry: Cook the zucchini rounds at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even crispness and golden brown color on both sides.
- Serve: Remove the crispy zucchini rounds from the air fryer and serve them hot with your choice of optional dipping sauces such as marinara or ranch for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- For best results, slice zucchini evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- Adjust cooking time according to the thickness of zucchini slices and air fryer model.
- Use cooking spray sparingly to avoid sogginess but enough to aid crisping.
- Leftover zucchini rounds can be reheated in the air fryer to retain crispness.
- Try substituting Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
