When you buy a new air fryer, you need to test it with an easy recipe, do you agree? 😊 After roasting the peppers, which are super easy, I tried with zucchini. And here they are, just out of the fryer, my zucchini cooked in the air fryer, flavored with mint and basil:
But I have to confess that I had to do this test twice because the first attempt was a flop. They were poorly cooked, in fact, more than cooked, they just shriveled, and it discouraged me a bit, I must say. Then – thanks to Michela and one of her experiments in which I often see myself 😍 – I understood where I went wrong: first, I overcooked them, but more importantly, I cooked them without oil! Something you evidently shouldn’t do with an air fryer. Just a little bit is needed, but you do need that bit!
I’ll go straight to telling you the recipe!
👇 Then, if you like, also check out the other 3 recipes with my new air fryer, they are super easy! 👇
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 2
- Cooking methods: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer and Fall
Ingredients
- 2 zucchini (about 14 oz)
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- mint
- basil
Tools
- Air Fryer
- Air Fryer
Steps
Wash and cut the zucchini into pieces.
Place them in a bowl and season with a heaping teaspoon of oil.
Mix them well, using a spoon or better yet with your hands, and pour them into the air fryer basket.
Operate the air fryer for 10 minutes at 392°F.
In the meantime, prepare the herbs: I used mint and basil, which miraculously survived on my terrace 😄 but you can use any herbs you prefer (you might even add a clove of garlic).
Open the basket and add the herbs, roughly torn by hand.
Stir the zucchini and close the basket.
Operate the appliance for another 10 minutes still at 392°F.
After the time has elapsed, if you want them more golden, stir again and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Here they are, the zucchini cooked in the air fryer:
Enjoy your meal!!!!
Salt-Free Tips
As I’ve already mentioned in other air fryer recipes (such as this one), vegetables turn out really well, the air frying preserves their natural flavor without any loss. The addition of herbs completes the work and allows us not to add salt. For those who are not yet accustomed to cooking without salt, I also suggest using a pinch of chili pepper or paprika. 🙂
If you’re interested in reducing or eliminating salt, always remember to:
▫ Gradually reduce the salt; the palate should gradually get used to it and not notice the progressive reduction.
▫ Use spices. Chili pepper, pepper, curry, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, cumin…
▫ Use herbs. Basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, sage, marjoram, rosemary, mint…
▫ Use seeds. Sesame, pine nuts, almonds, walnuts…
▫ Use spicy vegetables or fruits. Garlic, onion, lemon, orange…
▫ Use condiments with a strong taste like vinegar, wine or balsamic.
▫ Use my salt-free vegetable granules and gomasio.
▫ Prefer fresh foods.
▫ Avoid cooking in water, prefer methods that do not disperse flavors (grill, foil, steam, microwave)
▫ Avoid bringing the salt shaker to the table!
▫ Occasionally allowing yourself a break from the rules. It’s good for the mood and helps you persevere.
If you don’t want or can’t give up salt:
▫ You can still try my recipes by salting according to your habits.
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