Roasted Zucchini Air Fryer

Air fryer roasted zucchini is a simple, healthy side dish that is packed with flavor and ready in under 15 minutes! Super versatile and easy to make, this roasted zucchini in the air fryer is a great way to use up your summer produce but is a really great recipe for any time of the year.

Roasted zucchini in an air fryer basket, beige striped napkin on the side.
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Why you will love this recipe

  • Quick and easy – you can’t get much simpler than making roasted zucchini in the air fryer. It comes out perfectly every time and is so simple to make.
  • Simple ingredients – air fryer roasted zucchini uses just 5 ingredients you likely already have in the fridge and pantry. Zucchini, olive oil and spices is all you need to make this healthy side dish. Because of the simple ingredients, this air fryer zucchini fits in just about every diet/way of eating including vegan, gluten free, dairy free, paleo, low carb, keto and Whole30.
  • Versatile – change up the flavors by using a different spice blend or using a sauce to drizzle over top after cooking. This roasted zucchini in the air fryer is the easiest side dish to go alongside any meal – breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Ingredients to make air fryer roasted zucchini on a marble countertop.

Ingredients

  • Zucchini – Use small or medium sized zucchini for the best flavor and texture. Larger zucchinis tend to hold more water and can be less sweet. If you roast large zucchini, you may notice the flavor and texture are different since the large zucchini can be spongier in texture.
  • Olive oil – olive oil coats the zucchini and ensure the spices stick during cooking. The olive oil also helps the zucchini get a slight crispy crust during roasting. You can use your favorite cooking oil (avocado oil, coconut oil, ghee, butter, etc.)
  • Spices: Salt, garlic powder, dried thyme – these spices help to give the zucchini lots of flavor and also go with just about any meal. The salt elevates the flavor, the garlic powder provides umami and the dried thyme compliments the sweetness of the zucchini well.

How to make roasted zucchini in the air fryer

Start by cutting the top and bottom off the zucchini. Then cut the zucchini in half lengthwise (making 2 half moon shaped logs. Cut each half in half again lengthwise, creating 4 spears.

Cut the zucchini spears down into 1-inch pieces. Toss the zucchini in a bowl.

Zucchini cut in half then into cubes on a wood cutting board.

Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle the spices over top of the zucchini and stir well.

White bowl filled with cubed zucchini with spices on top.

Put zucchini in air fryer basket and cook at 400F for 12 minutes. Pause and shake the basket 2-3 times during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Before and after roasting zucchini in the air fryer.

Serve hot, the roasted zucchini is best right out of the air fryer.

Top tips

  • Cut the zucchini into similar size pieces to ensure everything gets cooked evenly.
  • Place a parchment paper or silicone liner in the air fryer basket for easy clean up.
  • The zucchini can slightly overlap in the basket, as you will stop and shake the basket 2-3 times during cooking, which will help the zucchini all get cooked through. Also as the zucchini cook they tend to shrink down as they lose water.
  • Exact cooking time will vary based on your air fryer and how much zucchini you put in the basket. The air fryer works by circulating heat through the basket to cook the food from all sides. The fuller the basket, the longer the cooking time. Start checking the zucchini around 10 minutes.
Pink plate filled with air fryer roasted zucchini.

Other spice combinations

Change up the flavor profile of the roasted air fryer zucchini by using different spice blends. Here are some of my favorite combinations:

  • Cajun – replace the dried thyme with 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
  • Taco – replace the dried thyme with 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
  • Italian – replace the dried thyme with 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
  • Everything bagel – only use half the salt and garlic powder indicated in the recipe and replace dried thyme with 1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning
  • Spicy – add 1/8 – ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • Greek – replace the dried thyme with 1 teaspoon italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • Herbs de provence – add 1 teaspoon herbs de provence to the spices listed.
  • Curry – replace dried thyme with ½ teaspoon curry powder and ½ teaspoon ground cumin.
  • Smoky – replace dried thyme with ½ teaspoon smoked paprika and ½ teaspoon ground cumin.

How to serve air fryer roasted zucchini

Fork with roasted zucchini being dipped in pesto..

Common questions

What to look for when buying zucchini

Zucchini are grown primarily during the summer and early fall. You will want to find small to medium sized zucchini that are a deep green with very few blemishes or brown spots. The larger the zucchini, the more water it has and the higher probability of the zucchini being less sweet and slightly soggy on the inside.

Do you need to peel zucchini before cooking?

No, the skin is full of fiber and nutrients. However, be sure to wash the outside to remove any dirt before cutting the zucchini.

Can you make this with yellow summer squash?

Yes, you can either add yellow summer squash or replace the zucchini with summer squash as they cook up very similarly.

Can you add other vegetables?

Yes! You could easily make this into a roasted veggie side dish by adding yellow squash, tomatoes, bell peppers (red, orange or yellow are best) or red onions to the zucchini before cooking in the air fryer. Be sure not to overcrowd the basket or the zucchini could get soggy.

Air fryer basket filled with roasted zucchini.

Can you make roasted zucchini in the oven?

Yes, if you need to make a large batch of roasted zucchini or don’t have an air fryer, you can use the oven. Preheat the oven to 425F.

Follow the same directions to cut the zucchini and add spices. Add the zucchini to parchment paper lined baking sheet. Cook 425F for 15 minutes (flip after 10 minutes) until crispy.

Storing leftovers

  • Fridge: If you do have leftover zucchini, store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. The zucchini really is best hot right out of the air fryer so I would recommend only cooking what you need for the best results.
  • Reheat roasted zucchini in the air fryer 360F for 4-5 minutes or in the skillet over medium heat with a bit of oil. You can also reheat in the microwave, but the texture may be mushier than the other 2 options.
  • Freezer: I do not recommend freezing leftover zucchini unless you plan on blending them up in a soup or using in a frittata or soup when defrosted because of how the texture will change.
Air fryer roasted zucchini on a pink plate, striped napkin on the side.

If you love making vegetables in the air fryer, you should try

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
Roasted zucchini in the air fryer.

Roasted Zucchini Air Fryer

Air fryer roasted zucchini is quick, easy and so simple. Ready in under 15 minutes, this healthy air fryer zucchini is the perfect side dish for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This recipe is vegan, low carb, keto and Whole30 friendly.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer roasted zucchini, air fryer zucchini, roasted zucchini air fryer
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes
Servings: 2

Guided Recipe Video

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cut zucchini into 1 inch pieces. Cut the top and bottom off the zucchini. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise, then in half again (4 long strips). Cut the strips down into 1 inch pieces.
  • Add zucchini to a bowl and add olive oil and spices. Stir well.
  • Add zucchini to air fryer basket and turn on 400F for 12 minutes. Pause the air fryer during the last 5 minutes to shake the basket 2-3 times.
  • Serve hot.

Equipment

Notes

Top tips
  • Cut the zucchini into similar size pieces for even cooking.
  • Place a parchment paper or silicone liner in the air fryer basket for easy clean up.
  • The zucchini can slightly overlap in the basket just be sure to shake the basket 2-3 times during cooking.
  • Exact cooking time will vary based on your air fryer and how much zucchini you put in the basket. The fuller the basket, the longer the cooking time. Start checking the zucchini around 10 minutes.
Other spice combinations
  • Cajun – replace the dried thyme with 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
  • Taco – replace the dried thyme with 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
  • Italian – replace the dried thyme with 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
  • Everything bagel – only use half the salt and garlic powder indicated in the recipe and replace dried thyme with 1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning
  • Spicy – add 1/8 – ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • Greek – replace the dried thyme with 1 teaspoon italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • Herbs de provence – add 1 teaspoon herbs de provence to the spices listed.
  • Curry – replace dried thyme with ½ teaspoon curry powder and ½ teaspoon ground cumin.
  • Smoky – replace dried thyme with ½ teaspoon smoked paprika and ½ teaspoon ground cumin.
Storing leftovers
  • Fridge: If you do have leftover zucchini, store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Note: The zucchini really is best hot right out of the air fryer 
  • Reheat roasted zucchini in the air fryer 360F for 4-5 minutes or in the skillet over medium heat with a bit of oil. You can also reheat in the microwave, but the texture may be mushier than the other 2 options.
  • Freezer: I do not recommend freezing leftover zucchini unless you plan on blending them up in a soup or using in a frittata or soup when defrosted because of how the texture will change.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Calories
98
Fat
 
8
g
Carbohydrates
 
7
g
Fiber
 
2
g
Sugar
 
5
g
Protein
 
3
g
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
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6 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I am looking for more ways to use my air fryer and this recipe is a keeper! I used 1 zucchini and 1/2 onion along with the spices as the recipe suggested. 12 minutes was perfect.

    1. Yum I love the addition of the onion!! Glad this one is a keeper, it’s one of my go-to recipes of the summer! I truly appreciate you coming to leave a review. Happy cooking!

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