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    Recipe Idea Shop » Recipes » Vegetables

    Air Fryer Zucchini Curly Fries

    by Kathy Owen · "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases"

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    It's zucchini season and I am excited about these delicious air fryer zucchini curly fries! If you want crispy, curly fries the whole family will love and that you can feel good about serving, you’re going to love this one.

    Zucchini is a delicious, versatile veggie and there are so many great things you can do with it, but one of my favorites is making zucchini curly fries. It’s also a great way to sneak the vegetables in for kids or picky eaters who don’t get enough.

    Maybe you’ve never thought about eating zucchini this way, but once you try it, you’re sure to fall in love. Not only does it taste great, but it’s also very easy to make even on a busy day. With an air fryer, you can just pop it in and let the machine do most of the work.

     

    Why You’ll Love these Zucchini Fries

    There are so many reasons to love these fries.

    • First, they are super easy to make.
    • Secondly, they are nice and crispy as you could expect from traditional potato fries.
    • Another great reason is that zucchini is easy to come by in the summer months. Lots of zucchini may also mean you’re looking for new ways to enjoy it.
    • These fries are soon going to be at the top of your family's list for how to cook zucchini

    What You Need to Make Them

    If these yummy curly zucchini fries sound good, you just need to try them for yourself. I love that they are really so simple to make. The air fryer just makes it all the easier. You can eliminate the need to make it in a skillet or in an oil deep fryer. They are good for you and very great tasting, too.

    Now, if you’re sold on the idea of trying zucchini fries for yourself, here are the things you will need.

    Supplies

    Brieftons 7-Blade Vegetable Spiralizer: Strongest-Heaviest Spiral Slicer, Best Veggie Pasta Spaghetti Maker for Low Carb / Paleo / Gluten-Free Meals, With Container, Lid, Blade Caddy & 4 Recipe Ebooks

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Gather your kitchen supplies before you begin:

    • Large colander – This will be to allow them to drain off some of their liquid.
    • Spiralizer—If you want delicious curly fries, then this is a must-have! This awesome tool helps you make spirals from your zucchini, which you will then bread before you air fry them. I love my spiralizer(on Amazon)!
    • Paper towels or clean kitchen towels—You also need towels to dry the noodles before you coat them with flour. You can use paper towels, or if you prefer to conserve, a clean kitchen cooking towel.
    • Kitchen tongs—These help transfer your zucchini noodles from preparation to the air fryer (and you can also use them when you take them out of the fryer).
    • Air fryer – And of course, if you’re doing to air fry them, then you’re going to need your air fryer.

    Now let’s look at the food ingredients you will need also.

    Ingredients

    Next, what kind of food ingredients will you need? That’s simple enough. You just need the zucchini itself, along with ingredients to make the dry mixture for the outside (breading).

    • Zucchini – 2 medium zucchini or 1 very large
    • Salt – 1 teaspoon
    • Flour – 1.5 cups all-purpose
    • Black Pepper – ½ teaspoon
    • Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon

    With all of that ready, you can now make your zucchini fries!

    How to Make Zucchini Air Fryer Fries

    zucchini curly fries steps

     

    Once you have gathered all of your supplies and ingredients, you will want to wash the zucchini first and cut off the ends. Then, you can use the spiralizer to cut it into curls.

    Try different blades to vary thickness of the zucchini and other vegetables. My first batch was a little thin so I cut them larger for the next batch. Place the zucchini in the colander and toss it with salt to help pull out the water. Leave it for 10-15 minutes to drain. While the zucchini is draining, you can prepare the dry mixture. 

    Now lay your zucchini noodles on the paper towels or kitchen towel to dry. Do not pat or squeeze them, but you can gently roll the towel if you want to extract the juice faster.

    Next, you apply the mixture to the zucchini and then shake. Once you have prepped the zucchini noodles fully, they are ready to go in the air fryer. Set your timer and just wait!

    Soon, you’ll be enjoying delicious, crispy zucchini fries. While you wait, you can prepare some of your favorite dipping sauce.

    Tips for the Perfect Zucchini Fries Every Time

    When you want to get the perfect crispy fries every time, these tips will help.

    • If you salt the zucchini before cooking, it helps extract more liquid and makes it crispier.
    • Don’t squeeze when drying your zucchini spirals. This will make them lose their shape. Just pat dry with a towel and let them air dry more.
    • Add some variations to the traditional recipe for added fun!
    • Spray some nonstick cooking spray into your air fryer before cooking.

    I’ve also found that practice makes perfect. The more times I try this recipe, the better I get it to my family’s liking.

    Variations on the Recipe

    McCormick Culinary Smoked Paprika, 17 oz - One 17 Ounce Container of Sweet and Smoky Paprika Perfect for Spanish Cuisine, Chicken, Fish, Pork, Potatoes, and More

    While the basic recipe above is simple and delicious, you may want to mix it up with some different variations, according to your tastes and flavor profiles. There are many great ways you can do variations of this recipe and I definitely recommend you try some for yourself.

    Here are some of my favorites:

    • Add smoked paprika to your mixture for color and flavor
    • Sprinkle some fresh Parmesan cheese on while they are still hot
    • Add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to turn up the heat
    • Add some fresh herbs from the garden like parsley, garlic, dill, etc.
    • Use Italian seasoning in your mixture for different flavor combinations
    • Use a bread crumb mixture to coat your zucchini noodles instead of flour for even more crispiness

    But you don’t have to stop there. If it sounds like it might be a good seasoning for your fries and you want to give it a go, then go for it! Part of the fun of cooking is being able to blend and mix our own creations. And this zucchini fry recipe is so easy, there’s a lot of room for making it in different ways.

    air fryer zucchini curly fries

    What To Serve With Zucchini Fries

    Honestly, the first time I made these, I ate them all right out of the air fryer basket: they are completely addictive.

    If you have more self-control than I do, try eating your zucchini fried with these:

    • roasted tomato sauce
    • dip them in your favorite dipping sauce, try Aioli
    • eat them with your burgers
    •  side dish for meat meals

    More Zucchini Recipes

    When zucchini season is here, you'll need lots of recipes, so here are a few we love:

    • Zucchini, caramelized onions, and toasted almonds
    • Grilled Italian zucchini with parmesan
    • Chocolate chip zucchini bread
    • 37 more quick and easy zucchini recipes, so you never get tired of eating the same 😉
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    air fryer zucchini curly fries

    Air Fryer Zucchini Curly Fries

    This healthy air-fried curly zucchini is easy to make and delicious. Even the kids will come for more!

    Author: Recipe Idea Shop

    Rate this Recipe Print Pin Save Saved!
    Prep : 10 minutes mins
    Cook : 10 minutes mins
    Resting time: 15 minutes mins
    Total Time: 35 minutes mins
    Course : Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine : American
    Servings : 4

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 zucchini medium sized
    • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • .5 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • vegetable oil spray a bit on top of the curls
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Wash your zucchini thoroughly and then cut off the ends.
    • Run zucchini through spiralizer (get the kids to help: they'll have a lot of fun!
    • Toss zucchini spirals with salt and place in the colander to drain for about 15 minutes.
    • Gather and mix your dry ingredients for your dressing.
    • Coat your zucchini strings with the dry mixture or bread crumbs, shaking it up to coat all pieces evenly.
    • Add them to the air fryer, turn it on for the recommended amount of cooking time (usually about 10 minutes), and wait!
    • Remove the zucchini fries from the air fryer (they should be golden brown and crispy).
    • Enjoy the YUM!

    Nutrition (may vary depending on ingredients and amounts used)

    Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 591mg | Potassium: 318mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 197IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 3mg

    Notes

    One thing I love about the air fryer is they don’t come out dripping with grease. It’s better for you, but it’s also easier to eat and there is no need for an added step of draining the oil.
    Like this recipe?We Have More Here!

    Air Fryer Zucchini Curly Fries FAQ

    Now that you know how to make them, let’s take a look at some common questions.

    How do you make zucchini fries curly?

    You can make your zucchini fries curly with a spiralizer tool. If you don’t have one, you may be able to use knife techniques and slice your zucchini noodles thin, and manually curl them in order to get the same effect, but it will just be more work.

    How long should I cook curly fries in the air fryer?

    It will typically take about 10 minutes in the air fryer, depending on how thick your zucchini pieces are. Keep an eye on it and look for it to be a nice, golden brown for the best crispness.

    Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

    You can preheat the air fryer for a few minutes at 400 degrees, for best results.

    Can you make these from frozen zucchini?

    This recipe doesn’t typically work well with frozen zucchini, unfortunately. When you thaw it out, the zucchini becomes soft and mushy and won’t crisp up well, even when air fried.

    Can you bake instead of air frying?

    Absolutely! You can use the same methods above but then bake your zucchini fries, rather than air fry them, if you choose. I made it both ways last time I cooked zucchini curls. Here's my baking pan when it came out of the oven.

    homemade air fryer zucchini curly fries

     

    We Love Our Air Fryer Zucchini Curly Fries 

    Whether you grow your own, get them from neighbors, or buy them from the market, you’re going to want to stock up on zucchini so you can fully enjoy these delicious recipe ideas. As you can see, the cooking process is quite easy.

    When you have the zucchini, you can make your air fryer zucchini curly fries any time you want with just a few minutes of prep and cook time. These are a huge favorite with kids, and they also make a nice movie snack, or finger food at a party or get-together this summer.

    How will you serve your air fryer zucchini curly fries?

     

    Air Fryer Zucchini Curly Fries

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    About Kathy Owen

    Kathy acquired the blog, Recipe Idea Shop in 2024. She was raised on a farm in Arkansas where having a big garden and good food to eat was the norm. She shares recipes for homemade comfort food and new trending dishes.

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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