Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini (Printable)

Crunchy zucchini rounds air-fried to golden perfection, paired with a smooth herb-infused dip.

# What you'll need:

→ Zucchini Chips

01 - 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into 1/8-inch (0.3 cm) rounds
02 - ½ cup all-purpose flour (60 g)
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (100 g)
05 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
06 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder (1.5 g)
07 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (1.5 g)
08 - ½ teaspoon salt (3 g)
09 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper (0.5 g)
10 - Olive oil spray

→ Ranch Dip

11 - ½ cup sour cream (120 ml)
12 - ¼ cup mayonnaise (60 ml)
13 - 2 tablespoons buttermilk or milk (30 ml)
14 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (6 g)
15 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (6 g)
16 - 1 teaspoon dried dill (1 g)
17 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder (1.5 g)
18 - ½ teaspoon onion powder (1.5 g)
19 - ¼ teaspoon salt (1.5 g)
20 - ⅛ teaspoon black pepper (0.3 g)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Dredge zucchini rounds first in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press into the panko-Parmesan mixture until well coated.
04 - Place coated zucchini slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray with olive oil.
05 - Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp. Work in batches if necessary.
06 - While the chips cook, combine all ranch dip ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Serve the zucchini chips hot alongside the ranch dip.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • They're ready in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for unexpected guests or last-minute cravings.
  • The homemade ranch dip tastes so much fresher than anything store-bought, and it's become a reason friends ask me to bring appetizers to gatherings.
  • You can eat an entire batch and feel like you just had something wholesome, not a guilty pleasure.
02 -
  • Don't skip the single-layer arrangement in the air fryer basket—overcrowding them traps steam and turns your chips soggy instead of crispy.
  • The dredging process is where the magic happens; wet flour falls off, but egg helps the panko stick like it means to.
  • If your zucchini slices are too thick, they won't cook through before the coating burns, so use a sharp knife or mandoline to get those slices to 1/8 inch or thinner.
03 -
  • Use a mandoline if you have one—it creates perfectly uniform slices that cook evenly and look impressive, but a sharp knife works just fine if you take your time.
  • The ranch dip is actually better if you make it 30 minutes ahead and let the flavors meld together, so plan accordingly if you're hosting.

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