Sandy zucchini in the air fryer are a quick, appetizing side dish perfect for any occasion. You only need ten minutes of preparation and another ten to cook for a crispy and tasty dish, ideal when you come home late and have little time to spend at the stove. Cooked with very little oil, these crispy zucchini rounds win over thanks to an aromatic breadcrumb enriched with Parmesan, mint, oregano, and parsley. Before discovering the convenience of the air fryer, I used to make a similar version in the oven — the crispy zucchini sticks — a valid alternative, especially when you have large quantities to cook. But if there are 2 or 3 of you, the air fryer is a practical and quick solution that saves time and electricity. If you’re looking for new zucchini recipes or tasty ideas for zucchini side dishes, sandy zucchini in the air fryer are definitely worth trying: simple, light, and delicious!
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- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 2People
- Cooking methods: Air frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
- Energy 181.23 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 11.74 (g) of which sugars 0.52 (g)
- Proteins 8.67 (g)
- Fat 12.75 (g) of which saturated 3.06 (g)of which unsaturated 1.39 (g)
- Fibers 2.69 (g)
- Sodium 300.15 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 115 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 for Crispy Zucchini in Air Fryer
To prepare gluten-free sandy zucchini, I mixed two types of breadcrumbs, one finer and one coarser.
- 14 oz zucchini
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (for me gluten-free)
- 0.5 oz Parmigiano Reggiano DOP (grated)
- 1 pinch salt
- A few leaves mint
- 1 pinch oregano
- 1 sprig parsley
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Tools
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Knife
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Liner
How to Cook Crispy Zucchini in the Air Fryer
To prepare sandy zucchini in the air fryer, start by washing and trimming the zucchini, then cut them into rounds about half an inch thick (1). Don’t make them too thin or they’ll burn. Place them in a bowl and season with a pinch of salt, chopped mint and parsley, oregano, and 2 tablespoons of oil (2). Briefly mix with your hands to evenly season all the zucchini, then add the breadcrumbs and Parmesan (3).
Carefully mix, still using your hands, until the coating is evenly distributed on all the zucchini (4). Line the basket of the air fryer with the appropriate paper and spread the sandy zucchini over it, trying to overlap them as little as possible (5). Cook them at 356°F for about 10 minutes, stirring them halfway through, until they are golden (6).
Check them often and adjust based on your air fryer’s power, as small variations in cooking times can depend on the model. Serve the sandy zucchini immediately, as a side dish for meat or egg-based main courses.
Storage
Sandy zucchini in the air fryer are best when freshly made, but if you have leftovers, you can store them at room temperature for 4-5 hours, or in the refrigerator for a couple of days.
Tips and Variations
For an extra crispy coating, choose breadcrumbs that are not too fine, or mix regular breadcrumbs with panko.
