Air Fryer Zucchini

Zucchini is a summer squash that is readily available through a great deal of the summer. Botanically it is a berry (yes, another one of those) but it is served as a vegetable or occasionally as part of a bread and is equally as delicious raw, cut into strips or rounds and served as a snack with or without a dip.

Look around and you will see that staple appliance, the air fryer. For easy cooking and a way to avoid steaming the kitchen or heating the oven, the air fryer is an ideal choice.

Air Fryer Zucchini

Ingredients:

• 1 – 2 medium zuccini
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder, optional

Directions:

• Slice zucchini into rounds and place in a bowl. Toss with remaining ingredients or your favorite seasonings.
• Prepare fryer at 400 degrees and cook zucchini for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through the process. Time may vary depending on thickness of the squash and desired doneness.
• Lay slices flat in a single layer in the fryer. Don’t stack or overlap so the will cook evenly.
• Work in batches, if necessary. The zucchini will shrink in size as they cook.

Zucchini Chips

Ingredients:

• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
• 1 large egg, beaten

Directions:

• Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees
• Thinly slice zucchini, like a potato chip would be.
• Combine panko and Parmesan cheese on a plate or bowl. Individually dip each zucchini slice into egg and then panko mixture. Press to coat, if necessary. Place on a wire rack until all slices are coated.
• Lightly spray slices with cooking spray.
• Fry in single layers for 10 minutes; flip and cook an additional 2 minutes. Work in batches.

Zucchini Fritters

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchini
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg, slightly beaten
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons bread crumbs, or more as needed
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 medium shallot, grated
• 1 medium jalapeno pepper, grated, optional
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed

Directions:

• Grate zucchini coarsely. Place in a collander with ½ teaspoon salt and allow to drain for 10 minutes. Place zucchini in a cheesecloth or something similar and squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
• Mix cheese, egg, 3 tablespoons bread crumbs, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add zucchini, shallot (and jalapeno) until combined.
• Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees.
• Place bread crumbs onto a shallow plate or bowl. Divide batter into 7 portions. Roll each portion into a ball and then into bread crumbs to cover all sides. Batter will be very wet.
• Fry fritters in batches until browned about 15 minutes.

Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups zucchini, shredded
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

• Shred zucchini and press using paper towels or cheesecloth to release excess moisture
• In a small bowl, combine all dry ingredients
• In another bowl combine eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla.
• Slowly incorporate dry mixture into the wet until well combined. Gently fold in zucchini.
• Spray 2 mini loaf pans with non-stick spray. Divide batter between the pans.
• Preheat air fryer to 310 degrees for 5 minutes. Add loaves and bake for 30 – 35 minutes. Check with a toothpick and remove loaves when toothpick comes out dry.