Learn how to make this delicious low carb air fryer zucchini fries in less than 30 minutes. A great way to sneak some vegetables in especially for the kids.
I'm back once again with ANOTHER...yes another air fryer recipe - crispy, golden vegetable fries with flavoured breadcrumbs with a tender texture on the inside. I am putting the cogs in motion by driving these air fried recipes. I have to say I might have hit the jackpot with these award winning fries. I can't believe I've managed to make an appetizer that is suited for those who are gluten free and vegans too!!
Yes I did and I didn't use nutritional yeast to yield that cheesy taste. I specifically challenged myself to make cheese flavoured zucchini fries that are lightly seasoned with a crispy coating that I promise you will love!!
This recipe is relatively simple to make and there's no unusual ingredients unless you include vegan cheese. I like to use Violife and Sheese products (I'm in love with the spicy "sheese" which I used for this recipe). I envied the non vegan/dairy free recipes which were made with Parmesan cheese in them. I wanted to make something that was similar with "normal vegan cheese".
This can be achieved by grating a small amount of cheese finely and milling it with some of the breadcrumbs. This gives you the ability to incorporate ground cheese into the breading. Granted, it would give you that gooey Parmesan effect, you will have a realistic cheese flavour which compliments the herbs.
Another thing I like to do which most recipes don't do which are two things....
- Peel the skin off the zucchini
- Rid the excess moisture or any potential signs of bitterness by sprinkling salt over the "fries"
This isn't a mandatory step but I like to include how I make the recipe. You aren't obligating to do either of those steps. I just don't like to risk any minuet chances of bitterness that's lurking in those zucchini's.
Ingredients to make air fryer zucchini fries
- A couple of zucchini's (3-4 will do)
- Breadcrumbs (GF)
- Vegan cheese
- Almond milk (any nut milk works too)
- Mixed herbs
- Garlic powder/granules
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
- Himalayan pink salt
How to make air fryer zucchini fries
air fryer zucchini fries steps 1-10
- Preheat air fryer 200c/400f
- Use a pairing knife to chop both ends off the zucchini and peel them.
- Cut each zucchini into fries depending on the thickness you want ½ inch or ⅛ for thin strips (picture 1)
- Place in a medium sized bowl or on a plate and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon pink salt and allow the fries to expel any moisture for 5 minutes then rinse off in a colander and blot dry -- these 3 steps are optional!! (picture 3)
- Grate the vegan cheese as fine as you can then place in a mill/spice/coffee grinder with 2 tablespoons of breadcrumb/almond meal. (picture 3-4)
- Ground the cheese and crumbs/meal into a powdery/fine consistency. (picture 5-6)
- Make an assembly line with the zucchini first followed by the almond milk in a shallow bowl
- Next to that, place the cheesy mixture combined with the rest of the breadcrumbs and mixed herbs, garlic, onion, black and pink salt all in one bowl mixed together. (picture 7)
- On the end have the air fryer basket and spray the basket with some oil.
- Grab the fries (one by one) dip them in the milk so it's completely saturated. (picture 8)
- Roll the zucchini in the breading. I like to use a spoon to toss/bury the zucchini in the breading to ensure it sticks. (picture 9)
- Carefully (use fingers or even a spoon) pick up the fries and place them in the basket and repeat. (picture 10)
- Spray the zucchini fries a final time from a height as to not dislodge the coating.
- Cook for 8-12 minutes, depending on the thickness, keep a watchful eye out for readiness around 8 minutes and work from there. They should be golden and crispy on the outside.
How to make oven baked zucchini fries
- Preheat oven 200c/400f
- Lined a baking tray with parchment paper
- Follow the steps as instructed to chop, peel and bread the zucchini fries.
- Place on the baking tray and spray the fries lightly with oil
- Bake for 20-25minutes, keep and eye on the fries to determine readiness
- Turn half way throuch cooking and spray the fries again with oil
Note and tips for making air fryer zucchini fries
- The cooking time does vary depending on the model of the fryer and thickness of the fries. Do keep an eye on them around the stated cooking time to avoid burning/undercooked thick fries.
- You can shake the basket a few times to expedite results
- You will need a grinder or food processor to breakdown the cheese. Big pieces of cheese will not adhere to the fries.
- If using breadcrumbs, don't mill ALL of the crumbs as you will loose texture/definition.
- You may need to work in batches if you have an air fryer with a small capacity
- Zucchini is known as courgettes in the UK and thick cuts are considered chips.
- Eat the fries immediately or cook them when you know you are about to consume them. They are best served straight away.
- If you cannot get hold of mixed herbs make ½ tablespoon worth with thyme, marjoram and parsley
Dipping sauce suggestions
- Yogurt mint (vegan/dairy free)
- Sweet chilli
- Egg free mayonnaise
- mango pineapple sauce
Other air fryer recipes you may like
- Curried air fryer chickpeas (Vegan)
- Air fryer onion rings
- Air Fryer French Fried Onions
- Parsnip Fries
- Air Fryer Apple Wedges
- Spicy Air Fryer Peanuts
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Air fryer zucchini fries
Ingredients
- 3 zucchini's courgettes
- ¾ cup of GF breadcrumbs 110g
- ¼ cup of vegan cheese 45g
- ½ cup of almond milk 150ml
- ½ tablespoon of mixed herbs
- ½ teaspoon of garlic granules
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of himalayan pink salt
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer 200c/400f
- Use a pairing knife to chop both ends off the zucchini and peel them.
- Cut each zucchini into fries depending on the thickness you want ½ inch or ⅛ for thin strips
- Place in a medium sized bowl or on a plate and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon pink salt and allow the fries to expel any moisture for 5 minutes then rinse off in a colander and blot dry -- these 3 steps are optional!!
- Grate the vegan cheese as fine as you can then place in a mill/spice/coffee grinder with 2 tablespoons of breadcrumb/almond meal.
- Ground the cheese and crumbs/meal into a powdery/fine consistency.
- Make an assembly line with the zucchini first followed by the almond milk in a shallow bowl
- Next to that, place the cheesy mixture combined with the rest of the breadcrumbs and mixed herbs, garlic, onion, black and pink salt all in one bowl mixed together.
- On the end have the air fryer basket and spray the basket with some oil.
- Grab the fries (one by one) dip them in the milk so it's completely saturated and then roll it in the breading. I like to use a spoon to toss/bury the zucchini in the breading to ensure it sticks.
- Carefully (use fingers or even a spoon) pick up the fries and place them in the basket and repeat.
- Spray the zucchini fries a final time from a height as to not dislodge the coating.
- Cook for 8-12 minutes, depending on the thickness, keep a watchful eye out for readiness around 8 minutes and work from there. They should be golden and crispy on the outside.
Notes
- The cooking time does vary depending on the model of the fryer and thickness of the fries. Do keep an eye on them around the stated cooking time to avoid burning/undercooked thick fries.
- You can shake the basket a few times to expedite results
- You will need a grinder or food processor to breakdown the cheese. Big pieces of cheese will not adhere to the fries.
- If using breadcrumbs, don't mill ALL of the crumbs as you will loose texture/definition.
- You may need to work in batches if you have an air fryer with a small capacity
- Zucchini is known as courgettes in the UK and thick cuts are considered chips.
- Eat the fries immediately or cook them when you know you are about to consume them. They are best served straight away.
- If you cannot get hold of mixed herbs make ½ tablespoon worth with thyme, majoram and parsley
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