Air fry zucchini is one of the fastest ways to turn a simple vegetable into a crispy, yummy, low-carb dish. If you use the right temperature, coating, and spacing techniques, air fried zucchini gets a golden exterior and a tender inside. So, let’s learn the techniques and the most important tips to make golden and crispy Keto zucchini!
Making air fry zucchini is simple.
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Zucchini is low in carbohydrates and calories, and is one of the most versatile vegetables for Keto meals. One medium zucchini contains about 4g net carbs, so you can eat it in low-carb meals without affecting ketosis.
Air frying keeps zucchini Keto-friendly because it uses much less oil compared to deep frying.
This allows you to add healthy fats, such as olive oil or avocado oil, as much as you like, instead of absorbing excess grease from frying. The result is a balanced fat-to-carb ratio that aligns well with Keto macros.
It is also super flexible as a side dish. You can eat air fryer zucchini with grilled meats, low-carb casseroles, egg-based meals, or even a Keto-friendly Chipotle Salad.
Many people use it to replace fries or roasted potatoes, especially when coated in parmesan or almond flour.
Zucchinis are also low in calories, so you can have large portions of them even while trying to lose weight on a Keto Diet. You can check the nutrients in 100 grams of zucchini in the table below.
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Before going through the recipes and learning how to make air fry zucchini, let’s take a look at the most important tips that help us make a unique and delicious dish.
Many people complain that making zucchini in an air fryer makes it soggy. This happens because zucchini contains more than 90% water, which is released during cooking. If the moisture is not removed quickly, the zucchini steams instead of browning.
Salting zucchini before cooking draws moisture to the surface. Patting it dry removes that moisture, letting the air fryer focus on crisping instead of evaporating water. This small step makes a lot of difference in texture.
Spacing is also important. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food, so stacking or crowding traps steam. Leaving small gaps between pieces is the key to even browning and faster cooking.
Oil also plays a role. Too little oil prevents crisping, while too much can cause sogginess. But a light coating helps heat transfer easily and improves browning without making zucchini greasy.
Another issue is cutting zucchini too thickly. Thick slices take longer to release moisture, so the outside gets soft before browning. Cut them into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
Finally, coatings help form a crust. Ingredients like parmesan, almond flour, or crushed pork rinds absorb surface moisture and help with browning. This provides the effect of breading without adding carbohydrates.
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To make 4 servings of this crispy, low-carb, and Keto-friendly air fried zucchini, you only need 15 minutes. Let’s learn how to make it.
Each serving of this yummy air fry zucchini dish provides about:
Calories: 92 kcal | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 7 g | Net Carbs: 3 g
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Making 4 servings of these Keto-friendly zucchini fries takes about 22 minutes, using the following ingredients and instructions.
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Each serving of these zucchini fries provides about:
Calories: 148 kcal | Protein: 7 g | Fat: 11 g | Net Carbs: 3.5 g
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This is a different recipe for air-frying zucchini. In only about 15 minutes, you can make 4 servings of this low-carb zucchini dish. It can be great for both main meals and side dishes.
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Each serving of this zucchini crisp provides about:
Calories: 118 kcal | Protein: 6 g | Fat: 8 g | Net Carbs: 2.8 g
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The best time to eat air fried zucchini is right after cooking, but you can also store it for later meals. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Do not seal it while hot because steam traps inside and softens the texture.
To reheat, return the zucchini to the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) and cook it for about 3-4 minutes. This way it gets crispy again, better than microwaving, which makes the zucchini watery.
Freezing air-fried zucchini is not recommended because zucchini contains high levels of water, which causes texture breakdown when thawed.
Instead, prep sliced zucchini in advance and store it raw in the fridge for quick cooking later. You need only about 15 minutes to air fry zucchini.
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Let’s find answers to the most frequently asked questions about air frying zucchini.
Zucchini usually takes 8-12 minutes at 200°C (400°F), depending on thickness. Fries need about 12 minutes, while thin rounds cook faster.
Salting is optional but recommended. It removes excess moisture and helps the zucchini brown instead of steaming.
Yes, but a small amount of oil improves browning and texture. Without oil, zucchini will cook but may not crisp.
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The best temperature is 190-200°C (375-400°F). Lower temperatures soften zucchini, while higher temperatures brown it faster.
Yes, zucchini is low in carbohydrates, and air frying keeps it Keto-friendly as long as coatings remain low-carb.
Watery zucchini usually results from overcrowding, skipping the drying step, or slicing too thickly.
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