Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Phase 1: Prepare the Zucchini for Ultimate Crispness
- Slice your zucchini into uniform sticks, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and 3-4 inches long. Place the zucchini sticks in a colander and sprinkle generously with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt per medium zucchini. Let them "sweat" for 10-15 minutes to draw out moisture.
- After salting, rinse the zucchini thoroughly under cold water to remove any excess salt. Pat the zucchini pieces dry with paper towels until they are completely devoid of moisture.
- Place the dry zucchini sticks in a large bowl and lightly dust them with a tablespoon of cornstarch, tossing to coat evenly. This thin cornstarch layer helps with adhesion.
Phase 2: Set Up Your Breading Stations
- Prepare three separate breading stations. In a medium bowl, whisk together the panko crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and the remaining salt. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk the eggs and water together until smooth. Finally, in a third bowl or a large resealable bag, place your all-purpose flour.
Phase 3: The Double-Dredge Breading Technique
- Working in batches, take your cornstarch-dusted zucchini sticks and place them into the bag with the flour. Shake gently to coat them evenly and lightly. Remove the floured zucchini, tap off any excess, then dip each stick into the egg wash, ensuring it's fully coated. Let any excess egg drip off.
- Transfer the egg-washed zucchini into the Panko mixture, pressing gently to ensure every surface is thoroughly coated with the seasoned breadcrumbs.
Phase 4: Air Frying to Golden Perfection
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F (175°C). While it preheats, spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Arrange the breaded zucchini fries in a single layer in the basket, ensuring there's space between each fry to prevent overcrowding. Spray the tops of the zucchini generously with olive oil.
- Bake in the preheated air fryer at 350 degrees F for 7-12 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden and crispy. Gently shake the basket halfway through cooking (around the 4-5 minute mark) to ensure even browning and crisping on all sides.
Phase 5: Serve Immediately
- Serve your perfectly crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries warm, fresh out of the air fryer.
Nutrition
Notes
Store any leftover fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To restore crispness, reheat in an air fryer at 350-375°F (175-190°C) for 3-5 minutes. Avoid microwaving. For optimal results, do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation and crisping. Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.