Crispy breaded air Fryer zucchini chips are crunchy low carb snacks, healthier than deep fried salt and pepper zucchini chips but with the same breaded texture! Try them in your Ninja Foodi or Cosori with parmesan now!
This is how to make air fryer fried zucchini chips just like at Carl’s Jr. and easier than I thought they’d be to make. Yes we have been busy creating a ton of air fryer recipes lately but these might be our favorite bites of deliciousness.
I love making crunchy food without the need of artery clogging oil. This machine has been a game changer. Now we can make our favorite deep fried foods way healthier but the same taste. You can top with parmesan or add it into your breadcrumbs.
If you are like me and want to serve air fryer vegetables to your family at every meal, you need a few new ideas. Yes tossed with olive oil and seasoning is great but that can get boring and the kids may not be excited about it. This one they will love!
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.
Ingredient Notes
You are going to want to start out with a few medium zucchini, I prefer to slice each one into 1/2″ slices, you could slice like air fryer zucchini fries too but those take a bit longer to get browned.
Egg whisked in a bowl is great to get everything to stick to the outside nicely. Allow excess to drip off after dipping.
The breading we use here is some Panko bread crumbs, it is gluten free and lighter than Italian bread crumbs but that is an option to use as well if you would prefer.
Parmesan cheese is optional to add to the outside breading to add a lot of flavor. I do recommend this addition, shredded is best so it sticks easier.
Seasonings we use are Old Bay seasoning, I’m obsessed with these flavors, and Garlic salt is a great add too.
Olive oil cooking spray will make it crispy and as far as equipment you just need your machine and a baking rack or trivet to keep them above the bottom for the hot air to rotate properly.
Variations
You can use other veggies with this same technique like with air fryer eggplant. The breading mixture is super versatile too where you can season as much or as little as you like. You could even crush pork rinds for a low carb option!
No Breading
Yes you could make these more like russet potato chips super thin with just salt and pepper but I mean…..these are better. You can certainly try both methods and see which you prefer. With no breading you would want to use a mandolin and slice really thin. Dry outsides and rub olive oil on with seasonings.
No Egg
If you cannot use this you could brush some yogurt or mayo on the outsides instead. You just need something that will allow the crumbs to stick nicely.
Can you air fry without oil?
You will need just spray for the outside of your food to get the outside to a deep golden brown but it doesn’t need to be submerged as it would if deep fried. The best way to get an extra crunchy layer to your food. I like olive but I have found and used avocado oil as well.
Tips
Just remember the thinner each sliced piece is the crispier it will become, and the less time it will take. Placing vegetables in an even layer into the air fryer basket, and not overlapping pieces is key. Air fryer vegetables cook in as little as 5 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking time to allow both sides to get crispy.
You will always want to preheat air fryer for 5 minutes so that the food cooks at an even temp the whole time, or it won’t get crispy. Whip up your egg in a bowl before dipping so it coats nicely. Use a shallow bowl to combine bread crumbs and seasoning, with another for your egg.
Slice into thin or thick zucchini slices, remember the thinner the crispier they will be but the most important thing to remember is that they are all the same. Always place coated zucchini in the basket of the air fryer in a single layer without overlapping for the best texture and outcome.
This was made in my Foodi which doesn’t have a basket but rather a rack with an air crisp lid you close down. Works the same as any other. Then spray with olive oil before starting your cook time. After 10 minutes flip and follow the same technique.
These came out great so we went on from there and made Ninja Foodi kale chips! Now we’re so obsessed with it we air fry everything I tell you!!
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips Recipe
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 1 knife
- 2 shallow bowls
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini , Cut into 1/2" dials
- 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp Old Bay
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 large egg, whisked
- 1 spray olive oil
Instructions
- Cut ends off zucchini and slice into 1/2" dials. Thinner they are the crispier they will get so thickness is up to you. This is what we like. Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees while you're preparing these.
- Lay pieces on paper towels and press gently to remove excess moisture on the outside of your pieces. In a bowl whisk your egg. On a plate add your Panko and seasoning, mix so it is combined.
- Dip zucchini pieces one at a time into egg, then coat all sides with bread crumb mixture and when air fryer is preheated add them in one layer to your trivet inside your machine (if you have a trivet).
- Once trivet is loaded up with pieces that aren't overlapping spray all of them with olive oil. Then close air crisp lid and continue cooking at 350 degrees for 13 minutes total, flipping after minute 10. (add more minutes for more crispy outsides)
- If your dials are small you could do 10 minutes total flipping after 8 minutes.
- Remove and enjoy immediately, then add another batch!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Dips we Love with this
Ok so the “regular” thing would be a dish of Ranch dressing, that is good but let’s go a step further shall we? If you have guests over I suggest creating a dip bar with marinara sauce, Thousand Island is great, buffalo sauce is a spicy choice, and bang bang shrimp sauce is super fun too.
FAQ
Yes, the key to making everything as crispy as possible is to make sure you dry the outsides. This will help the breading to stick and make it as crispy as possible. Another tip is to grab a can of olive oil spray! A sprits of that on each side will get it browner quicker.
You want to make sure that all zucchini dials are the same thickness. This will ensure that they are all the same crispiness. You could really use yellow squash, or make half and half. Spraying with olive oil on each side before air frying is important too for crisping!
Other air fryer recipes you’ll love
Looking for other Ninja air fryer recipes? We have a lot in that post. We love these stuffed air fryer zucchini boats too. If you have a ton of extra pieces I would try our salt and pepper zucchini chips with homemade 3 ingredient tempura batter too. A side dish of air fryer mushrooms works with most dinners too. And I got hooked when we made this air fryer wings recipe with a dry rub.
Hi I want to make this recipe but I don’t have old bay seasoning, what else could I use?
Thank you in advance.
A little bit of Lawry’s seasoned salt?
Taste was delicious however I feel like most of the breading fell off when flipping? Did I maybe flip them to soon? Or any other ideas on what I should try next time?
Make sure you get water off of zucchini after slicing so breading sticks well. Some breadcrumbs/Panko brands work better than others
Absolutely delicious 💜
These zucchini chips are sooo good! Seasoning was perfect, crunch was great. I dipped them in marinara sauce…..delish!! Will be making these all the time!
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I am waiting for my Mealthy Chrisp Lid. Would it be the same tempture and time for either maker?
I would follow the same temp and timing, yes.