Air Fryer zucchini and squash is an easy and tasty summer side dish. It tastes surprisingly good. Even the kids just loved it.
This recipe is super easy and comes together in under 15 minutes. Just use a few spices with oil and air fry.
I haven’t used any breading or cheese and it is so delicious. Perfect for those looking for the low calorie goodness of vegetables.
From air frying mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli, butternut squash to turnips, parsnips, eggplants, radish and green beans, air fryer does a great job with vegetables.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe is super easy to make. In summer when you get zucchini and squash in large quantities, this is a great way to use up loads.
It is the perfect recipe for a beginner cook as it really is foolproof.
It is versatile as you can vary the spices used.
You can make a no-oil version too by using only lemon juice or aquafaba and skipping the oil.
Best of oil, it takes only about 15 minutes from chopping to plate. Great, ain’t it! Not to mention how healthy and low calorie it is.
If you love zucchini, then you will like these zucchini chips in air fryer, air fryer zucchini boats, zucchini fritters and zucchini fries.
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Ingredients
Zucchini and Yellow Squash: Zucchini and yellow squash are both summer squashes that have been used here.
I have used one zucchini and one squash, both about 1 lb. or 500 gm. together.
Olive Oil: A teaspoon is used for enhancing the flavour and to help spices to adhere well.
Salt and Pepper: These are used for seasoning.
Minced garlic: I love the flavour of garlic in these roasted vegetables. One tsp. minced garlic is used here.
Paprika and Italian seasoning: They are used to add colour and more flavour. You can use any other seasonings of choice as well.
Lemon juice: A tsp. of lemon juice in the recipe really perks up the flavours.
Variations and Substitutions
1. Different Vegetables: In case you can’t find squash, double the zucchini used.
You can also add other vegetables like peppers, cauliflower, eggplant to this dish for a medley of vegetables.
2. Skip Oil: If you do not wish to use oil, you may skip it.
Use lemon juice or aquafaba as mentioned in the recipe to help spices adhere.
3. Spice Variations: You can use any spices or combinations that you
4. Cheesy Variation: For a cheesy twist, sprinkle some parmesan or mozzarella over the zucchini and squash during the last couple of minutes of air frying.
This makes the veggies have some savory cheesy touch.
5. Add Proteins: If you want to turn this side into a main, you can add any proteins of choice.
Cubed tofu, chicken, or shrimp can be air fried along with zucchini and squash.
6. Use Garlic Powder: If you do not have fresh garlic at hand, garlic powder works equally well.
Stepwise Instructions
Slice the zucchini and squash into thin, even rounds and then cut into half moons.
There is no need to peel them.
In a large bowl, combine the sliced zucchini and squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, lemon juice and paprika.
Straight away put them in air fryer. I did not preheat the air fryer this time.
Just spread the veggies in the air fryer basket so that there is not much overlap.
Air fry at 360F or 180C for about 10 minutes.
Shake the basket midway during air frying for even cooking.
Also keep an eye on the time as it may vary depending upon how thin or thick your vegetable slices are.
Air fryer squash and zucchini slices will be nicely roasted with crispy edges.
Take out and serve hot.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover air fryer zucchini and squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to 3 days.
You can reheat them in the air fryer when ready to serve.
Expert Tips
1. Cut Vegetables evenly: When preparing your zucchini and squash, cut them in even-sized pieces.
This helps them to cook uniformly in the air fryer.
Thin slices or half-moon shapes are usually the best.
2. Don't Overcrowd the Basket: Lay zucchini and squash slices be in a single layer without much overlap for proper air circulation.
Cook in batches if you are making a larger quantity.
3. Shaking the Basket: Shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking process.
This helps to ensure even cooking and browning.
4. Cooking Time: Keep a close eye on your zucchini and squash as they cook.
Cooking times can vary based on the size of your vegetable slices and your air fryer model.
5. Using Oil: Though air fryers are designed to use less oil, a little bit of oil can go a long way in achieving the best texture and flavor.
I personally prefer adding a little bit of oil to my veggies.
6. Serving: Serve air fried zucchini and squash immediately for the best texture and taste.
They can get soggy if kept out for long.
Serving Suggestions
1. As a Side Dish: Serve as a healthy vegetable side dish with main like grilled tofu, paneer or meat.
2. With Dips: Try serving it with your favorite dip.
I love them with this spicy gochujang aioli.
3. In a Salad: Add it to a fresh salad.
The warm, crispy vegetables can add a nice contrast to this cool cucumber salad.
4. On a Sandwich or Wrap: These are fryer vegetables make for a healthy filling for a sandwich or wrap.
Pair them with a spread of hummus or mayo.
5. With Pasta: Serve air fried zucchini and squash as a side to a pasta dish.
6. On a Pizza: Use them as tasty toppings for a homemade pizza.
7. With Grains: Serve the vegetables over a bed of cooked grains such as quinoa, rice, or farro for a hearty, vegetarian meal.
8. In a Bowl: Build a bowl with air fried zucchini and squash, a protein of your choice, some sort of grain, and a tasty sauce.
FAQs
Yes. You can do the same recipe with frozen zucchini and squash. Just increase the air frying time by 3-4 minutes.
Not at all. Just wash the veggies well before slicing them.
You need to check for these two things. Don’t overcrowd your basket or the veggies will not get crisp. Also after adding the seasonings don’t let the veggies sit around. Else they will release water and get soggy. Hence they will not get crispy when air fried.
The best way to reheat them is in the air fryer itself. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C) and then reheat the vegetables for about 3-4 minutes, or until heated through.
Here's the recipe card:
📖 Recipe Card
Air fryer Zucchini and Squash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Zucchini or 250 gm.
- 1 cup Squash or 250 gm.
- 1 tsp. Olive oil
- ½ tsp. Salt
- ½ tsp. Pepper
- ¾ tsp. Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp. Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp. Minced garlic or garlic powder
- 1 tsp. Lemon juice
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Instructions
- Slice the zucchini and squash into thin, even rounds and then cut into half moons.
- There is no need to peel them.
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced zucchini and squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, lemon juice and paprika.
- Straight away put them in air fryer. I did not preheat the air fryer this time.
- Just spread the veggies in the air fryer basket so that there is not much overlap.
- Air fry at 360F or 180C for about 10 minutes.
- Zucchini and squash slices will be nicely roasted with crispy edges.
Video
Notes
2. Don't Overcrowd the Basket: Lay zucchini and squash slices be in a single layer without much overlap for proper air circulation. Cook in batches if you are making a larger quantity.
3. Shaking the Basket: Shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking process. This helps to ensure even cooking and browning.
4. Cooking Time: Keep a close eye on your zucchini and squash as they cook.
Cooking times can vary based on the size of your vegetable slices and your air fryer model.
5. Using Oil: Though air fryers are designed to use less oil, a little bit of oil can go a long way in achieving the best texture and flavor.
I personally prefer adding a little bit of oil to my veggies.
6. Serving: Serve air fried zucchini and squash immediately for the best texture and taste.
They can get soggy if kept out for long.
Nutrition
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