Crunchy, cheesy goodness in these simple 3-cheese Air Fryer Fried Zucchini. Everyone loves a crispy air-fried vegetable — they take about 20 minutes to make and are perfect as an appetizer or a side. Even kids will enjoy these golden bites!
After adding an air fryer to my kitchen, I quickly discovered one of my favorite things to make: crispy, cheesy air-fried zucchini rounds. They’re simple, fast, and so satisfying. I’ve been buying zucchini nearly every week just to make another batch.
The air fryer delivers the crunch I love without deep frying, making it an ideal tool for recipes like this. If you enjoy experimenting, you can try different cheese blends to vary the flavor and texture.
Ingredients notes
- This recipe works great with a blend of mozzarella, parmesan and romano, or parmesan, asiago and romano. I slightly prefer the addition of mozzarella for a stretchier, cheesier coating, but any three-cheese mix is delicious.
- If your zucchini is thick, you may need 2 eggs to coat all the slices thoroughly.
- Use gluten-free panko if you need a gluten-free version — it works fine here.
How to make air-fryer fried zucchini
- Combine the shredded cheeses, panko, salt, garlic powder and cracked pepper in a bowl and set aside. Slice zucchini into rounds about 1/4 inch thick.
- Whisk an egg in a shallow bowl. Set up an assembly line for coating: egg, cheese-panko mixture, and the air fryer basket.
- Dip each zucchini slice into the egg, let excess drip off, then press into the cheese and panko mixture so both sides are well coated. Scoop a bit of extra mixture on top to ensure good coverage.
- Place the coated slices in an oiled air fryer basket in a single layer. Work in batches if needed; avoid overlapping so they flip easily.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Cook for about 4 minutes, then check the tops. If they need more color, give them another minute. Flip and cook 3–4 minutes on the other side until golden and crisp. Air fryer models vary, so watch the first batch to determine exact timing. Serve immediately for best crunch.
Notes and tips
- Keep a close eye on the first batch to learn how your air fryer performs. Some units preheat and cook faster than others.
- Yellow squash can be cooked the same way and makes a great substitute or addition.
- Aim for slices about 1/4 inch thick — thinner slices become flimsy and thicker slices take longer to crisp.
- Grated cheese gives a more even coating, while shredded cheese adds texture. Either works depending on your preference.
What to serve this with:
- Sun-dried Tomato, Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers — a favorite pairing.
- Baked Breaded Chicken Tenders — a family-friendly option.
- Spinach Ricotta Chicken — complementary flavors that pair well.
- 15-Minute Steak Sheet Pan Dinner — makes a satisfying main when served with these zucchini.
Try these other zucchini recipes
- Simple Pasta Salad with Grilled Zucchini
- Cheesy Zucchini Tots
- Zucchini Oat Bars
- Zucchini Bread Pancakes
- Spinach and Zucchini Egg Muffins
- Zucchini Bread Overnight Oats
- Beef and Zucchini Meatballs
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3 Cheese Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini
Ingredients
- 1 med/large zucchini
- 1 c panko
- ¾ c 3-cheese blend (romano, parmesan, mozzarella)*
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cracked pepper
- ¼ – ½ tsp sea salt, to taste
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Combine the cheese, panko, salt, garlic and pepper in a bowl. Mix and set aside. Slice zucchini into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Whisk the egg in a shallow bowl and set up an assembly line for coating.
- Dip a zucchini slice into the egg, let excess drip off, then press into the cheese-panko mixture so both sides are well coated. Place coated slices in the oiled air fryer basket in a single layer. Work in batches if needed.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Cook for about 4 minutes, check for browning, then flip and cook another 3–4 minutes until golden and crisp. Timing varies by model, so watch the first batch.
- Serve immediately. These are excellent with marinara or ranch for dipping.
Notes
*You can buy pre-mixed 3-cheese blends or combine about 1/4 cup each of your favorite cheeses to equal 3/4 cup.
- Watch the first batch closely to learn your air fryer’s timing — some models cook faster than others.
- Yellow squash works the same way and is a tasty substitute or addition.
- Keep slices about 1/4 inch thick for best texture.
- Use grated cheese for a more even coating, or shredded cheese for texture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline.
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