Air fryer zucchini boats with ground beef and 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.
Ninja Zucchini Boats
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.
What Size Zucchini is Best
You’re going to start with some medium 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.
Meat Filling
Most of the time I will make some air fryer ground beef or use leftover taco ground beef. Tuna works for a low carb idea, or lay other sauteed vegetables in the center for a vegetarian option.
I actually make this often as a leftover taco meat recipe because I hate to waste food and this way it is already seasoned and all. I just fill, top with cheese and brown. If you wanted “the other meat” we love filling with Crack chicken dip.
What Kind of Cheese to Use
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).
How Long to Cook Zucchini Boats in Air Fryer
8-10 minutes is typically long enough to soften the vegetables, warm the meat and melt the cheese too. Timing will vary according to how large and thick they are of course but stay close and check at minute 8.
Do you eat the skin on zucchini?
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.
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.
How to Serve
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 fryer 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. Tempura 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