Air fryer Zucchini Boats

These zucchini boats done in air fryer are such a tasty main or appetiser. This recipe is keto and easy to put together. It is very versatile too and can be adjust to one’s preferences.

Zucchini is one of my favourite vegetables to cook in the air fryer. 

You can try these roasted zucchini without breading, zucchini fritters and zucchini fries. They are all delicious.

Making zucchini boats is so easy. You can vary the stuffing any way you like.

Make it vegan, vegetarian or meaty. Every way it tastes delicious.

Tips to Make Perfect Zucchini Boats

1. Choose green zucchinis which are not too big. This is because we want the zucchini to be tender and not old and tough. 
2. Scoop out the flesh using a spoon. Don’t use a knife as it will be uneven. Carefully scoop out all flesh to just leave the skin with a bit of flesh and a large cavity that you can fill with.
3. If you are using only vegetables for filling. You can cut them into small pieces and directly air fry the stuffing.
4. In case you are using lentils, beans, soy flakes, tempeh, diced tofu, paneer or minced meat, it is best to cook out the stuffing beforehand and let it cool down before stuffing the boats.
5. Use lots of cheese in this recipe. It makes the zucchini boats delectable. Use vegan cheese if vegan.
6. Use chopped onion, minced garlic and ginger and spices like cajun spice, peri peri spice or sauces like harissa, sriracha or chili garlic sauce for seasoning your stuffing. Just salt, pepper, garlic powder and some dried herbs work well too. 
7. I prefer to precook the zucchini boats before adding the stuffing. I have found that the zucchini boats taste better this way.
8. This could be a great keto dish if you use only protein filling with cheese in zucchini boats.

Storage:

You can easily store the leftovers for upto a day in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Heat it through before serving.

Since zucchini is a watery vegetable, I do not recommend freezing these.

Variations:

1. Vegan: Use a vegan filling like boiled lentils, beans, diced tofu or tempeh along with vegetables. Use vegan cheese for topping.
2. Vegetarian: You can use diced paneer (cottage cheese), boiled or scrambled eggs, any of the vegan options for stuffing.
3. Meat: You can use minced chicken or beef in the stuffing.

Stepwise Pictures

Take each zucchini and scoop out the flesh with seeds. If the flesh is tender, I use it in the stuffing else I discard it.

If the zucchinis are longer, you can cut them into halves.

To prepare the stuffing

Heat 2 tsp. oil in a pan. Add 1 chopped onion with minced ginger and garlic.

Saute for about 3 minutes till browned. Add chopped tofu/ paneer. Add Harissa sauce and some Sriracha sauce. I like them hot.

You could use a milder Thai Sweet Chili sauce or any seasoning of choice.

You can add any chopped vegetables that you like broccoli, mushroom, pepper, corn, beans here and cook it down.

Let the stuffing cool down completely before using.

Air fryer Instructions

Preheat air fryer at 360F or 160C for 5 minutes. Brush scooped out zucchini boats with a bit of olive oil on both sides.

Sprinkle salt and pepper and air fry at 360F or 160C for 5 minutes.

Take out and keep aside.

Fill the boats with stuffing that has cooled down. Top with lots of grated cheese.

Use parmesan or processed cheese. You can use vegan cheese as well.

Carefully place stuffed zucchini boats in air fryer basket.

Air fry at 200C or 390F for about 6 minutes till the cheese browns and everything looks done.

Take them out and serve hot with marinara sauce if you are craving some pasta or pizza or just have it as it is with a dip of choice.

It is so delicious.

Oven Instructions

Preheat oven at 400F. Lay scooped out zucchini boats on an oven-proof dish. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper.

Now add the cooled stuffing and top with cheese. Bake at 400F for about 25-30 minutes. Your zucchini boats are ready to serve.

Air fryer Zucchini Boats

Rachna Parmar

These air fryer zucchini boats are an amazing appetizer or main. Delicious cheesy stuffing that can be customized as per taste.

5 from 10 votes

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Prep Time 7 mins

Cook Time 16 mins

Total Time 23 mins

Course Accompaniment | Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 82 kcal

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Chef's knife

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 2 zucchini
• 8 oz. diced tofu paneer/boiled lentils/beans or minced chicken/beef about 225 gm.
• 1 onion
• 1 tsp. minced garlic and ginger
• 1 tablespoon Harissa sauce adjust as per taste
• 2 tsp. Sriracha sauce optional
• Salt to taste
• ½ tsp. Pepper
• 2 tsp. Oil
• ½ cup cheese or vegan cheese

Instructions

 

• Take each zucchini and scoop out the flesh with seeds. If the flesh is tender, I use it in the stuffing else I discard it. If the zucchinis are longer, you can cut them into halves.

To prepare the stuffing

• Heat 2 tsp. Oil in a pan. Add 1 chopped onion with minced ginger and garlic. Saute for about 3 minutes till browned. Add crumbled tofu/crumbled paneer/minced meat. Add Harissa sauce and some Sriracha sauce. I like them hot.
• You could use a milder Thai Sweet Chili sauce or any seasoning of choice.
• You can add any chopped vegetables that you like broccoli, mushroom, pepper, corn, beans here and cook it down.
• Let the stuffing cool down completely before using.

Air fryer Instructions

• Preheat air fryer at 360F or 160C for 5 minutes. Brush scooped out zucchini boats with a bit of olive oil on both sides. Sprinkle salt and pepper and air fry at 360F or 160C for 5 minutes.
• Take out and keep aside.
• Fill the boats with stuffing that has cooled down. Top with lots of grated cheese. Use parmesan or processed cheese. You can use vegan cheese as well.
• Carefully place stuffed zucchini boats in air fryer basket.
• Air fry at 200C or 390F for about 6 minutes till the cheese browns and everything looks done.
• Take them out and serve hot with marinara sauce if you are craving some pasta or pizza or just have it as it is with a dip of choice.
• It is so delicious.

Oven Instructions

• Preheat oven at 400F.

  Lay scooped out zucchini boats on an oven-proof dish. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper.
• Now add the cooled stuffing and top with cheese. Bake at 400F for about 25-30 minutes. Your zucchini boats are ready to serve.

Notes

1. Choose green zucchinis which are not too big. This is because we want the zucchini to be tender and not old and tough.
2. Scoop out the flesh using a spoon. Don’t use a knife as it will be uneven. Carefully scoop out all flesh to just leave the skin with a bit of flesh and a large cavity that you can fill with.
3. If you are using only vegetables for filling. You can cut them into small pieces and directly air fry the stuffing.
In case you are using lentils, beans, soy flakes, tempeh, tofu, paneer or minced meat, it is best to cook out the stuffing beforehand and let it cool down before stuffing the boats.
4. Use lots of cheese in this recipe. It makes the zucchini boats delectable. Use vegan cheese if vegan.
5. Use chopped onion, minced garlic and ginger and spices like cajun spice, peri peri spice or sauces like harissa, sriracha or chili garlic sauce for seasoning your stuffing. Just salt, pepper, garlic powder and some dried herbs work well too.
6. I prefer to precook the zucchini boats before adding the stuffing. I have found that the zucchini boats taste better this way.
7. This could be a great keto dish if you use only protein filling with cheese in zucchini boats. 8. In case you don't have an air fryer, you can make these in the oven. Instructions are provided.

Nutrition

Calories: 82kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 5gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 113mgPotassium: 167mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 190IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 101mgIron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Let me know on Instagram @rachna.parmar or tag #rachnacooks

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