Air Fryer Squash and Zucchini

This Air Fryer squash and zucchini recipe is the easiest side dish you can whip up and serve at your next house party! 

These easy summer veggies are lightly seasoned and cooked until they’re nice and crunchy on the outside, and have just the right amount of seasoning, which makes them a total crowd pleaser.

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I have recently been putting my Air Fryer to a lot of use, and I absolutely loved how it transformed the simple zucchini and squash to a dish that’s so flavorful and effortless. 

Just like my crispy garlic edamame and Air Fryer cauliflower steaks, this recipe is an absolute hit with everyone in my family.

Jump to:

• What's So Great About the Recipe?
• Ingredients For the Air Fryer Squash and Zucchini Recipe
• How to Make the Air Fryer Squash and Zucchini
• Substitutions & Variations
• 💭Top Tip
• Equipment
• How to Store the Leftover Air Fryer Squash and Zucchini
• Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe
• How to Serve the Air Fryer Squash and Zucchini
• FAQs
• Related Recipes
• Air Fryer Squash and Zucchini

What's So Great About the Recipe?

The best part about this recipe, in my opinion, is the fact that the Air Fryer just crisps the veggies up so beautifully, you’ll actually be able to enjoy them. 

If you have picky eaters in your household, or just need a little push to jump into a healthy eating routine, this recipe can be a good way to do that, and get some veggies in your tummy. 

Another big plus is the fact that the Air Fryer squash and zucchini is super versatile- I can serve it with practically anything!

Ingredients For the Air Fryer Squash and Zucchini Recipe

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Zucchini: I used fresh, green zucchini for this recipe. Remember to check the surface for spots or blemishes, and stick to using a firm, long variety. 

Squash: Choose a yellow squash that has a narrow neck and a wide bottom. Also check for any soft spots, and skip using one that has any. 

Italian seasoning: I like using store bought Italian seasoning or my homemade garlic bread seasoning for this recipe. Both have a similar underlying flavor that works well with almost all veggies. 

Breadcrumbs: I’ve used homemade breadcrumbs for the recipe, but you can use panko crumbs as well! The idea behind using these breadcrumbs is to make the Air Fryer squash and zucchini more crispy. 

Parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese lends a nice salty taste and flavor to the air fried veggies. You can skip this if you want to- it’s completely okay. 

Garlic powder: Garlic powder is an absolute must for this recipe- it really complements the flavors of the veggies, and is a classic, easy seasoning you just can’t go wrong with. 

Oil: While using oil is not necessary for this recipe, I like to grease the Air Fryer basket with a bit of olive oil, and use a little of the oil as a base for the seasoning mix for the veggies. 

Pepper powder: Crushed black pepper can add a touch of warmth to the air fried veggies. 

Basil: I topped up the Air Fryer squash and zucchini with a sprinkle of chopped basil leaves. You can use almost any other fresh herb of your choice.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make the Air Fryer Squash and Zucchini

Substitutions & Variations

• Based on your personal taste preference, you can add or skip the seasonings you’re using. 
• I would recommend using a mix of fresh and dried herbs for maximum flavor and look. 
• Choose herbs like parsley, basil, oregano and thyme, and see what works best for you and your taste buds. 
• If you want to bring a bit of heat into the picture, you can sprinkle some paprika or cayenne pepper into the spice mix. 
• For some extra flavor and a bit of citrusy fragrance, you can also add some lemon zest into the spice mix.

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Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Mixing Bowls
• Chopping Board
• Serving Spoons

How to Store the Leftover Air Fryer Squash and Zucchini

The only possible downside to this rather delicious recipe is the fact that it doesn’t work too well when stored for later. 

If you have any leftovers, you can transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 2 days, then reheat them in the Air Fryer. 

You might be tempted to reheat the Air Fryer squash and zucchini in the microwave, but they’ll end up getting mushy and soft. 

This is one of those recipes that can’t be made ahead of time, mostly because the veggies end up losing their texture and structural integrity when you do.

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Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe

• When layering the Air Fryer basket with the zucchini and squash, remember to leave a bit of space between all the sliced veggies for the hot air to circulate well and crisp them up. 
• Tossing or flipping the veggies halfway through the process is another must. This will ensure that they become crunchy on both sides. 
• To add more flavor to the zucchini and squash, you can drizzle a bit of soy sauce or tamari over them before you serve. 
• When slicing the veggies, try to keep the slices as even as you can. Remember that the key to getting all the veggies to be perfectly cooked and crispy is to ensure that they are all roughly the same size. 
• Remember that since both squash and zucchini have high water content, they will not get ultra crispy, even when air fried. To get that bit of crunchiness, cook them for a shorter time span and use a breading of your choice.

How to Serve the Air Fryer Squash and Zucchini

This Air Fryer squash and zucchini can be a wonderful healthy side dish to practically any meal you’re whipping up. Here are a few good ideas to get you going. 

In a Salad

This crunchy and tender squash and zucchini can be a great addition to your bowl of salad. Team them up with some cherry tomatoes, greens and other veggies of your choice, and stick to a light, subtle vinaigrette. 

As a Snack

These crispy Air Fryer zucchini and squash can be teamed up with a dipping sauce or a condiment and served as a healthy snack. I would totally recommend serving them with my creamy avocado ranch sauce. 

In a Wrap

Your leftover or fresh air fried zucchini and squash can be used as a healthy filing for your wraps. Load a whole wheat tortilla with some of these, a protein and some more veggies to make it a filling and nutritious meal.  

On a Sandwich

Love making sandwiches? These air fried delicious veggies can be a fun addition to them! They taste great paired with any veggie or chicken sandwich, and are a great way to get more veggies into your tummy. 

In a Bowl

These flavorful veggies can be great to load onto a simple rice or noodle bowl along with some other veggies, protein or a simple sauce. I think my scratch made teriyaki sauce could be great for this! 

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As a Topping

The crispy and crunchy zucchini and squash can be a wonderful topping to your homemade pizza or flatbread. 

As a Side

One of the best ways to serve the Air Fryer squash and zucchini is to enjoy it as a side to any of your grilled proteins and main dishes, especially when you’re looking for a grilled veggie as a side.

FAQs

Related Recipes

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