Description
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Zucchini rounds coated in a seasoned Parmesan and panko breadcrumb mixture, perfect as a healthy snack or appetizer served with optional dips like marinara sauce or ranch dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
Coating Mixture
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray, for spraying
Optional for Serving
- Marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for a crispy crust on your zucchini rounds.
- Mix the Coating: In a shallow bowl, thoroughly combine grated Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. This mixture will give the zucchini a savory and crispy coating.
- Prepare the Flour: Place the all-purpose flour in a separate shallow bowl. This step helps the egg adhere better to the zucchini slices.
- Beat the Egg: In another shallow bowl, beat the large egg until smooth, ready for dipping the zucchini.
- Flour the Zucchini: Dip each zucchini round into the flour, making sure to shake off any excess to prevent clumping of the coating.
- Egg Dip: Next, dip each floured zucchini slice into the beaten egg, coating both sides evenly for a sticky base layer.
- Breadcrumb Coating: Press each zucchini round into the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture, ensuring each piece is fully coated with the flavorful breadcrumb crust.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the breaded zucchini rounds in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to allow even air circulation; cook in batches if necessary.
- Apply Cooking Spray: Lightly spray the tops of the zucchini rounds with cooking spray or olive oil spray for extra crispness during cooking.
- Air Fry: Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping the zucchini rounds halfway through the cooking time. Cook until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Serve: Remove from the air fryer and serve hot with your choice of dipping sauces such as marinara sauce or ranch dressing for added flavor.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- You can customize the seasoning in the breadcrumb mixture according to your taste preferences.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
- Leftover air-fried zucchini can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to restore crispness.
