Air Fryer Zucchini Fries (Zucchini Sticks)

Crispy and delicious air zucchini fries are a quick and healthy appetizer! Make this easy zucchini sticks recipe in just 15 minutes.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 8

Cook Time 7

Total Time 15

Servings servings

Calories 145kcal

Use a vegetable peeler to peel the zucchini skin. Cut the zucchini into even fry shapes about ¼ inch wide by 4 inches long. Place on a paper towel and sprinkle sea salt on zucchini. Allow zucchini to rest for 10 minutes before blotting excess moisture with a paper towel.
4 small zucchini, ½ teaspoon salt
Spray basket with coconut oil spray and preheat to 400F if required.
In a large shallow bowl, add the pancake mix. Mix ¼ of the ranch seasoning packet into the pancake mix.
½ cup pancake mix, ½ packet ranch dressing mix
In another shallow bowl, mix ¼ of the seasoning packet into the panko bread crumbs (you are using ½ of the packet total.)
½ cup Panko breadcrumbs, ½ packet ranch dressing mix
Add the egg to a third bowl and beat.
1 egg
Using forks, coat zucchini fries with pancake mix, then egg, then panko bread crumb mix. Repeat process until all zucchini fries are coated.
Add zucchini to the basket in a single layer and do not crowd them. Air fry for 7 minutes or until desired crispiness. Salt to taste if needed, then serve with ketchup, marinara, ranch dressing, aioli, or your favorite dipping sauce.
salt to taste

Be sure to get ALL of the moisture out of the zucchini prior to breading. Place cut zucchini on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt. Allow to sit on the paper towel for 10 minutes to soak up moisture and pat out any extra moisture prior to breading so the coating sticks.
When coating, use a fork to move zucchini around. This will help to keep the coating off of your fingers and on the squash.
Cut the zucchini as evenly as possible. Thinner pieces will take less time while thicker pieces may take more time to cook. If you cut thicker pieces, try reducing the heat to 390F so that you do not over crisp the batter.
Do not overcrowd the zucchini in the basket. This will help the fries to crisp and brown evenly.
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Crisp and reheat for 3 minutes.

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 24.4g | Protein: 5.5g | Fat: 2.5g