Air fryer stuffed zucchini flowers: Crunchiness without oil
Food lovers, get ready to say goodbye to guilt because today I’m revealing a secret that will revolutionize your summer: air fryer stuffed zucchini flowers! Forget about oil splatters, lingering fried smells, and heavy post-meal feelings. With the air fryer, we achieve incredible, golden, and perfect crunchiness, but with a lightness that will make you dance for joy! And it’s not about a sad fry, eh! These zucchini flowers are a burst of flavor, with a filling that’s pure poetry: the stringy softness of mozzarella perfectly blends with the bold savory taste of anchovies in oil.
It’s an appetizer, a tasty side dish, or a finger food sensation, perfect for summer evenings here in Piacenza, perhaps accompanied by a good glass of bubbly. A dish that combines tradition with modernity, for a result that will amaze everyone, even the most skeptical about ‘fry-free’ frying!
The Delicious Filling: Mozzarella and Anchovies, a Divine Combination
The real secret of these air fryer battered zucchini flowers lies in their soft and flavorful core. I’ve chosen a combination that, trust me, is a real guarantee: stringy mozzarella and anchovies in oil. The delicate sweetness of the zucchini flower perfectly meets the milky creaminess of the mozzarella, which melts during cooking, creating an enveloping and irresistible filling. But it’s the addition of anchovies in oil that gives that extra touch, that boost of savoriness and umami that balances the sweetness and makes every bite an unforgettable experience. It’s a perfect contrast that enhances all the flavors without ever overpowering them. The light and crispy batter wraps this treasure of goodness, while the air fryer cooking ensures a uniform golden color and crunchiness that rivals traditional frying.
HERE ARE OTHER AIR FRYER RECIPES:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very economical
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4People
- Cooking methods: Air frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer and Autumn
- Energy 310.36 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 29.65 (g) of which sugars 2.33 (g)
- Proteins 18.56 (g)
- Fat 12.85 (g) of which saturated 6.67 (g)of which unsaturated 5.37 (g)
- Fibers 1.69 (g)
- Sodium 1,056.73 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 123 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 12 zucchini flowers
- 5.3 oz mozzarella
- 12 anchovies in oil
- 5.3 oz breadcrumbs
- to taste salt
- 2 eggs
Tools
- Cutting Boards Fackelmann Kitchen Cutting Board, for fruit, vegetables, food, non-slip PP plastic board, food safe, hand wash, size 14×9.5 inches, Ocean Line
- Air Fryers Moulinex Easy Fry Max Air Fryer, 5 Liters / 2.2 lbs, Capacity for 6 People, 1500 W, 10 Cooking Programs, Fast Results, Touchscreen, Dishwasher Safe Basket, EZ2458
- PORTENTUM Baking Paper for Air Fryer 100 units 7.9×7.9 inches Square. Suitable for Oven, from 5 to 8 liters. BPA Free, FDA and LFGB Certified Air Fryer Paper
Steps for Air Fryer Stuffed Zucchini Flowers
Clean the zucchini flowers: Gently open the flowers, remove the internal pistil and check for any impurities. Rinse them gently under cold running water and lay them on a clean cloth to dry thoroughly. It is essential that they are perfectly dry.
Prepare the filling: Cut the mozzarella into thin sticks or cubes and pat it dry with a paper towel to remove excess milk. Take the anchovy fillets and cut them in half if too long.
Stuff the flowers: Gently open each flower and insert a piece of mozzarella and half an anchovy fillet inside. Gently close the petals to seal the filling.
Prepare the breading: In a bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt. In another bowl, place the breadcrumbs
Dip the flowers: Preheat the air fryer to 356°F for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, dip a stuffed zucchini flower in the egg, and coat it in the breadcrumbs, making sure it adheres well all over, and allowing the excess to drain.
Cook in the air fryer: Place the breaded flowers in the air fryer basket, without overlapping (cook them in multiple batches if necessary). Lightly spray them with extra virgin olive oil spray or brush them with a thin layer of oil.
Fry: Cook at 356°F for about 8-12 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they are golden and crispy. The time may vary depending on your air fryer model.
Serve: Remove the zucchini flowers and serve immediately, nice and hot!
Tips, Variations, Notes for Air Fryer Stuffed Zucchini Flowers
Instead of mozzarella, you can use ricotta, and instead of anchovies, you can add a piece of prosciutto or bacon. You can season the breadcrumbs with spices to make it more flavorful.
