1-First Step: Prepare the Zucchini Trim the ends off the 3 small/medium zucchini and cut them into quarters lengthwise. Then, slice each quarter crosswise into 3/4-inch thick pieces to make bite-sized chunks. Place these in a large mixing bowl to set up for coating, ensuring they’re uniformly sized for even cooking in your air fryer zucchini recipe.

2-Second Step: Add the Oil Drizzle the zucchini chunks with 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil. Toss everything together until the pieces are evenly coated, which helps the seasonings stick and promotes crispiness without making them greasy.

3-Third Step: Mix the Coating In a separate bowl, combine 2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for vegan), 1 tablespoon white whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Sprinkle this mixture over the oiled zucchini and toss until each piece is evenly coated, building that irresistible crunch for your air fryer zucchini.

4-Fourth Step: Preheat the Air Fryer Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F, which takes about 3-5 minutes and ensures the zucchini cooks quickly and evenly. This step is key for achieving that golden exterior while keeping the inside tender but not mushy.

5-Fifth Step: Cook in Batches Place half of the coated zucchini pieces in an even layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it for proper air circulation. Air fry for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking the basket a few times during cooking to promote even browning and crispiness in your air fryer zucchini.

6-Sixth Step: Finish and Serve Once done, remove the cooked zucchini to a serving plate and repeat the process with the remaining pieces. Serve immediately for the best texture, or keep warm in a 200 degrees F oven if you’re preparing multiple dishes. You can serve this with parmesan garlic crusted chicken for a complete, flavorful meal.