Air fryer zucchini boats with ground beef, chicken or filled with cheese is a great dinner idea with low carbs! With a tender center and crispy edges it is now my kids’ favorite meal on finger food Fridays!
You’ve got to make these in your Ninja Foodi or other brand of hot air machine tonight. We made a few cheese filled halves and a few stuffed with chicken too. OH MY I’m telling you, they were delicious and such an easy air fryer recipe you can throw together quickly too.
We started this creation first in the oven with our zucchini taco boats in the hotter months though I am not about to turn that on and heat up my house even more. SO this is a great alternative to make these a few at a time for a healthy meal.
You can use any brand of machine you might have. You just need a large enough basket to fit each piece which makes the square shape best. If using a Ninja Foodi you would use the lid that is attached with the air crisp button on the front.
Get the kids in the kitchen to help you with this. It is super easy and they will want to eat them even more if they can say “I made it.” A spoon will do to scoop out the middle so you can fill it all up.
Ingredient Notes
You’re going to start with some med./large zucchini. We have a plant in our garden which yields A LOT of them this time of year so we are always looking for new recipes to make with them. Larger isn’t better. First off they won’t fit and bigger actually has less flavor because of the increase of water inside.
Olive oil will help the edges not dry out so you just need a bit to rub on, avocado oil works too for a good alternative.
Cheese is a must for us, cheddar and mozzarella are a fave. My husband uses dairy free shreds from Daiya and they work for him (don’t melt as well but do work).
Most of the time I will make some air fryer ground beef or use leftover taco meat. Tuna works for a low carb idea, or lay other sauteed vegetables in the center for a vegetarian option
Fillings for zucchini boats
My girls agree that this is one of their favorite air fryer zucchini recipes here on our site. We have tried all different kinds of fillings and have yet to find one we didn’t like but cheese or ground beef with some taco seasoning is probably on the top of our favorite list.
You can fill with cheese like shredded cheddar, Jack or Mexican is great. Filled with our Crack chicken dip is we love to use as you see here. It is easy to fill with leftover Taco meat topped with cheese which adds protein.You can really use anything though, like even tuna is a great idea, let us know what is your favorite combo.
Do you eat the skin on zucchini boats?
Yes! If they are unwaxed of course which is important. Of course ours had none of that because it’s from our vegetable garden so they’re absolutely perfect and fresh. If you think it’s tough Blanch in boiling water for 1 minute is an option;)
Air Fryer Zucchini Boats Recipe
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 small zucchini, sliced in half lengthwise with middle seeds removed
- 1/2 cup cheese
- 3/4 cup ground beef, pre-cooked, optional, taco meat is best
- 1 tbsp olive oil, to moisten edges that are exposed
Instructions
- Make sure zucchini sliced in half lengthwise fits into your air fryer basket. Keep that in mind when choosing pieces. I like smaller pieces without having to cut much off the ends.
- Hold half your zucchini and use a spoon to gently scoop the insides out while keeping the bottom and ends in tact so filling doesn't ooze out or leak.
- Preheat air fryer at this time to 320 degrees for about 5 minutes. Use a finger to rub just a touch of olive oil on the edges that are exposed on your zucchini.
- Then fill with precooked taco meat, our crack chicken dip, and/or just shredded cheese.
- Push down gently so cavity is completely filled, and not overflowing too much. When it melts you don't want your machine to have a lot of overflow.
- 2-4 halves should fit into your basket well depending on the size. Do not overlap them.
- Set to 320 degrees for 9 minutes. This is usually the perfect amount of time to melt the cheese and get it lightly browned on top. Season with salt and pepper when done.
- Serve!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Ninja Foodi (Option)
Want to make these in a Ninja and/or Foodi this time, great idea!! With the latter multi function machine you will use the lid that is attached and the air crisp button. The basket with the holes in the bottom will allow the heat to rotate and cook everything evenly. Don’t overlap these, you want a nice crisp on the edges.
Tips: My Favorite models are the Cosori or making Ninja Foodi recipes with the lid that is attached.
It is best practice to put food into a hot basket. This is how to preheat air fryer first before adding your food so it becomes as crispy as possible. For best results, here’s a printable free air fryer cooking time chart here for your fridge.
Can you freeze zucchini boats?
Freezing sliced zucchini is better than freezing them whole. Since these are halved they are okay frozen and defrosted but really I prefer them freshly cooked. They’re cheap enough typically year round so I personally don’t see the need to freeze. Just buy, slice, stuff, and air fry zucchini the same day.
What to serve with zucchini boats
Refrigerated Biscuits pull apart bread is easy to do and perfect to pair with these. Pesto salad is a bit healthier but with another pop of flavors.
Other zucchini recipes you’ll love
Find more zucchini dinner recipes here too! Air fried zucchini chips or zucchini slices whichever shape you prefer using Panko bread crumbs for a light crunchy outside are great. They’re also amazing sprinkled with parmesan cheese and a side of marinara sauce.
Our air fryer zucchini fritters can almost be a complete meal. Grandma’s moist zucchini bread recipe. Salt and pepper zucchini chips are fried in oil. And our zucchini pineapple bread is a great twist
Fill them with precooked spaghetti sauce (even better with meat) and cottage cheese, then top it with shredded colbyjack!
YUM