Air Fryer Parmesan Zucchini (Low Carb Recipe)

Name: Air Fryer Parmesan Zucchini
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 16 ounces zucchini (2 -3 medium to large); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Crispy, cheesy air fryer parmesan zucchini is flavorful and guilt-free. This low carb and healthy side dish recipe contains no breading. The squash is made with simple ingredients, minimal oil and roasted in the air fryer. It cooks quickly and is so delicious that you'll want to enjoy a double helping of vegetables.

Air fryer parmesan zucchini on a platter.

Fresh zucchini is often underappreciated as a vegetable, but it's one of my favorites. It's light and has a simple flavor that's easily enhanced with seasonings, herbs and cheese.

Zucchini and other summer squash, like yellow squash, are readily available in the grocery store really any time of year and are completely versatile. Healthy zucchini is high in Vitamin A, aids digestion, is packed with antioxidants and is low in carbs. This air fryer zucchini is a great recipe for almost any diet, and it's loved by adults and kids alike.

I love roasting zucchini in the air fryer as it is a great way to bring out the flavor of the squash and Parmesan cheese. It also cooks quicker than an oven would and there is very little clean up.

Ingredients

Zucchini – Use 2 -3 medium to large zucchini. Zucchini is a summer squash but you can get it at your grocery store all year round. You can also substitute yellow squash which is a very similar squash with just different coloring.
Olive Oil – You can also use any light, neutral-flavored oil like avocado oil or try olive oil spray.
Salt, pepper and garlic powder add lots of flavor, and you can swap your favorite herbs and spices.
Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese has superior flavor.

See the full recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and their quantities.

How to Make Zucchini in the Air Fryer

Zucchini tossed with seasonings and paremesan cheese.

Toss the squash slices with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder and parmesan cheese until well coated.

Zucchini slices in a single layer in air fryer basket.

2. Spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the zucchini slices in a single layer.

3. Air fry zucchini for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F.

4. When the zucchini is tender and the parmesan cheese is golden brown, remove to a plate and cool slightly before serving.

Hint: Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the parmesan zucchini in batches if needed.

Variations/ Substitutions

Tasty as written, this recipe is also easily customized. The following suggestions are a great start, but the sky is the limit.

Spicy - Add cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha to the seasoning blend.
Air Fryer Zucchini Sticks - change the shape of the zucchini and cut into bite size strips instead of slices.
Swap the seasonings - Use your favorite herbs and spices to season this healthy zucchini recipe. Try using Italian seasoning, fresh herbs like basil or parsley, black pepper, lemon juice, onion powder, sea salt, everything bagel seasoning, etc.
Crunchy - Create a panko bread crumbs mixture to top the sliced zucchini.
Add A Sauce - Serve these zucchini rounds with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce. I love topping this air fryer squash recipe with Creamy Homemade Garlic Sauce.

Check out these Crispy Oven Fried Zucchini Chips for another delicious way to use zucchini or summer squash. And if you like air frying vegetables, try my air fried cauliflower or air fryer broccolini recipe for some other easy vegetable side dishes.

Leftovers/ Storage

This delicious air fryer zucchini recipe is best enjoyed right away. Leftover zucchini can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the leftovers in a 350 degrees F air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes or until warmed through. I love to use the leftover squash fried in a pan with scrambled eggs.

A closeup of parmesan topped zucchini slices.

Top tip

The cook time for this air fryer zucchini recipe can vary depending on the thickness of your zucchini slices. Cut into ½-inch slices for the best results. For thinner slices, the cooking time may be shorter and for thicker slices, the cook time may be longer. Make adjustments as needed.

Serving Suggestions

This air fryer squash recipe is the perfect side dish and can easily pair with a variety of main dish options. Zucchini squash goes well with poultry, meat, seafood or pasta.

Here are a few of my favorite serving suggestions:

FAQ

Can I make parmesan zucchini without an air fryer?

No air fryer? No problem. Follow prep instructions then line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roast in a 425 degree F preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until desired doneness.

Is this air fryer zucchini a vegan recipe?

Parmesan cheese is not a vegan ingredient. To make this recipe vegan, omit the cheese or substitute with a vegan cheese. To make sure it is vegetarian, use a Parmesan cheese that is vegetarian as some Parmesan cheeses contain rennet from animals.

Do you need to peel zucchini?

There is no need to peel zucchini when making air fryer zucchini fries or parmesan zucchini. The skin will cook up tender and contains a lot of nutrients.

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