Name: Air Fryer Zucchini Parmesan
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 large zucchini; 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan; 5 cloves of finely minced garlic; 3 tbsp of butter; thyme leaves; salt and black pepper; ; parsley

Looking for an easy side dish? This air fryer zucchini parmesan is pretty much a version of garlic bread without the bread. It's a keto, low-carb vegetable side dish recipe with all the flavors you love!

Would you like to save this recipe?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

My kids absolutely devour garlic bread. I love it too, I just can't have it every other day as they do. But this roasted zucchini recipe satisfies all my cravings.

Not only is this simple side dish healthy, but it is also super easy to make. Total 20 minutes from start to finish with only 5 simple ingredients! Definitely my favorite air fryer zucchini recipe.

This delicious air-fried zucchini is cheesy, garlicky, and full of flavor! It's a great way to use up zucchini that can be made in the air fryer or oven.

Another air fryer win! A perfect low-carb side dish for any meal, a cheap yet delicious snack, or a main if you're vegetarian!

What is zucchini?

Zucchini is a summer squash that can be eaten raw or cooked. It's a popular ingredient in Italian cuisine, often used in pasta dishes. It has a mild flavor that makes it versatile for use in a variety of dishes, such as salads, bread, fritters, and stews.

From a nutritional standpoint, zucchini is a good source of vitamins A and C, fiber, and iron. It's also low in calories with only about 17 calories in one cup of cooked zucchini, making it a great choice for people watching their weight.

ingredients for air fryer zucchini — 5 simple ingredients

Ingredients and Substitutions

Fresh zucchini - You can use green or yellow zucchini for this recipe. I found these beautiful yellow zucchinis at my farmer's market. If your zucchini is on the larger side, you may want to cut it into smaller pieces so that it cooks evenly in the air fryer.
Parmesan cheese - I like to use only freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor, but you can use pre-grated cheese if that's what you have on hand. For vegetarians, you can try using nutritional yeast. I haven't tried it, but I would imagine it to be good as well.
Garlic - Fresh garlic is the best, but if you're in a pinch, garlic powder will work as well. Just keep in mind that it will not taste the same.
Butter - I use unsalted butter so that I can control the amount of salt in the recipe. You can substitute olive oil or avocado oil if you're looking for a healthier option. Either way, some fat is necessary to help the cheese and garlic stick to the zucchini.
Thyme - Makes all the difference in flavor, especially if it's fresh. If you don't have any on hand, you can use another herb like dried Italian seasoning, basil, or oregano.
Salt and black pepper

Equipment

Air Fryer
Baking Sheet (if using the oven)
Parchment paper to keep the mess minimal
Knife
Cutting board
Cheese Grater
Small saucepan

roasted zucchini parmesan — Slice the zucchinis and score. Make sure you have a flat bottom to prevent the zucchinis from tilting.

How to serve Zucchini Parmesan

There are many different ways you can enjoy this delicious air fryer zucchini recipe. Here are some of my favorites:

As a "garlic bread" alternative for pasta dishes
As a perfect side dish with grilled chicken, fish, or steak.
As a main course with a simple salad on the side (vegetarian-friendly)
As zucchini sticks with your favorite dipping sauce like marinara sauce

I like to eat it with a nice pan fried fish, roasted chicken or steak.

garlic mixture zucchini air fryer — garlic butter mixture

Tips and Variations

The best part about this fried zucchini recipe is that it is so versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to change things up:

Try other shapes: Instead of zucchini slices, change up the look easily by making air fryer zucchini parmesan rounds or even zucchini fries using all the same ingredients. This will make it into finger foods. Perfect for a family game day or get-together!
Add panko: Add panko breadcrumbs to your butter mixture to make it more decadent. However, it won't be a low carb recipe anymore.
Spice it up: Adding a little cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to your butter mixture will completely elevate this delicious side dish.

zucchini parmesan and garlic — grated parmesan on top of zucchini slices

How to store and reheat

Simply store the cooked leftover zucchini in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to reheat it in the air fryer for 3 minutes at 350 degrees, but you can also use the oven.

Other Air Fryer Recipes for you to try:

Carmen Spillette