Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Posted: 07/19/2021
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Try air fryer zucchini chips and you’ll never open another bag of boring potato chips! Don’t believe me? Try them and you’ll see what I mean!
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: Crispy, salty, but still good for you!
How long it takes: 17 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: air fryer, knife or mandolin, paper towels
Servings: 2
Table of Contents
open
It’s probably pretty presumptuous to claim that zucchini chips will replace potato chips in your life. I admit that. But really? Try these air fryer zucchini chips and you’ll see what I mean.
Crisp, lightly golden brown, buttery tasting, delicious. These are chips, not breaded fries. No breading, no cheese, no egg, no cholesterol, no gluten. Just zucchini and your air fryer.
About Zucchini
Zucchini is a good-for-you vegetable. Really good! According to Healthline, zucchini has loads of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, especially in the dark green skin. It’s so low in calories, it’s practically a “free” food, and it has lots of fiber which promotes digestion.
Air fryer zucchini chips also happen to be keto and Whole30 compliant, non-dairy, vegan, gluten-free, and all that good stuff.
Air fryer, I love you! You make me feel so happy and satisfied. Will you marry me?
About zucchini chips
This recipe is super simple, really more of a technique. You can easily transform a humble green summer squash into irresistible chips with the help of your air fryer.
Is your garden overflowing with a zillion zucchini? Perfect! I see lots of chips in your future.
As always, look for complete instructions, specific measurements, and nutrition information in the recipe card at the end of the post.
What you’ll need
- Zucchini: Start off with one medium sized zucchini (about 1/2 pound) but you’ll almost certainly want to make more because the chips are so good!
- Olive Oil: Just one teaspoon of this heart-healthy oil is all you need. You could also use avocado oil, if you prefer.
- Salt and Pepper: Sprinkle it on to taste. You may want to experiment with other seasonings, too.
How to make it
Begin by slicing a zucchini into very thin rounds, about ⅛ inch thick. I usually use a mandoline but a good sharp knife works, too.
For the best chips, pat the slices dry with a clean towel or paper towel to remove excess water. Remember the mantra: Dry = crispy.
Toss the slices in a bowl with a bit of oil and season with salt and pepper.
Arrange the zucchini slices on the rack of your air fryer, in a single layer, and air fry them for five minutes. Shake them to flip them over, air fry for five more minutes, shake one more time, and let them cook a couple more minutes.
They should be golden brown and crispy. If not, stick them back in for a couple more minutes. Don’t burn them though!
Enjoy them right away! If you like dips, try this homemade French onion dip (I’ve made it a little healthier for you) or healthy ranch dressing. French fry dipping sauce is really tasty (it’s good on French fries, too).
FAQs
Do you need to peel zucchini before cooking?
The outer skin of zucchini squash is tender and there’s no need to remove it. In fact, the skin contains most of the antioxidants found in zucchini. Just wash the zucchini well and it’s ready to cook.
How do you dry zucchini before cooking?
One method is called disgorging. Excess moisture is removed from vegetables with a high water content, like zucchini, eggplant, or tomatoes, using salt to draw the water out.
Simply prep the vegetables, cleaning and slicing them. Spread them out in a single layer on a towel-lined surface. Sprinkle liberally with salt and let them set for 20-30 minutes, then wipe the excess moisture and salt off. They are ready to bake or fry! (Tip is from Kitchn.)
How do you make zucchini not soggy?
When baking, grilling, or air frying zucchini, always arrange the slices in a single layer. In the oven, use a wire rack placed on a baking pan so there is good air circulation.
What can I do with a lot of zucchini?
Make a lot of zucchini chips! Oh, okay, there are lots of other ways to cook zucchini. Try grilling it (I love this grilled vegetable salad with goat cheese). Zucchini bread is always a hit. Have you tried zoodles? Pesto-cheese stuffed zucchini are totally yummy, too. This zucchini rice casserole is comfort food incarnate.
Make It Your Own
- Experiment with seasonings. Try taco seasoning or chili powder. Or go more to the sweet side with cinnamon, or apple pie spice.
- Use yellow summer squash instead of zucchini, or a mix of the two.
- Try them with no oil added (they won’t be quite as crispy), or use a different type of oil such as grapeseed or avocado oil.
- Rather have breaded zucchini fries? Try these air fryer zucchini fries with chili ranch dip. They are super good!
- Not a fan of zucchini? Try air fryer Brussels sprouts, air fryer green beans, or air fryer tater tots.
Make-Ahead Ideas
Prep the zucchini ahead of time. Slice it, put the slices between paper towels to drain, and refrigerate. You can do this up to a day in advance.
Storage & ReheatingTips
Well, you probably won’t have leftovers. One person can easily eat one whole zucchini prepared this way. If, by some crazy circumstance, you do have some chips leftover, cool them completely and store in a covered container. Re-crisp them briefly in your air fryer for a minute or two, if necessary.
More air fryer recipes
I have lots of air fryer recipes for you and there are more to come! Here’s a sampling:
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings – so crispy!
- Air Fryer Salmon – easy and delicious!
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes – PERFECT potatoes!
- Air Fryer Mushrooms with Garlic and Shallots — for perfectly roasted mushrooms!
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Egg Rolls
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
- Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
servings
Try air fryer zucchini chips and you'll never open another bag of boring potato chips!
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini (about ½ pound)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Slice zucchini into ⅛ -inch rounds. A mandoline works great. For best results, pat zucchini slices with paper towels to dry them.
- In a small bowl, toss zucchini with olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Turn air fryer to 400ºF. Put zucchini slices on rack in a single layer.
- Cook 5 minutes, shake, cook an additional 5 minutes, shake and cook 2 minutes more, or until zucchini is golden brown and dry.
Notes
- If desired, you can prep the zucchini ahead of time. Slice it, put the slices between paper towels to drain, and refrigerate. You can do this up to a day in advance.
- Experiment with seasonings. Try taco seasoning or chili powder. Or go more to the sweet side with cinnamon, or apple pie spice.
- Use yellow summer squash instead of zucchini, or a mix of the two.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 35kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 0.4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 299mg, Potassium: 258mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 197IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 0.4mg
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Tia says
Such a healthy and quick snack! Love it!!!
Rachel Gurk says
They’re so satisfying!