Air fryer Courgette Fries

Name: Air fryer Courgette fries
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 Courgette (Zucchini cut into 1⁄2 inch thick slices); ¼ Cup Plain Flour (All Purpose Flour); 1 Egg (beaten); 1 Cup Golden Bread Crumbs; 2 Tsp Italian Seasoning; Salt & Pepper to Taste

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These crispy air fryer courgette fries are a healthy and delicious alternative to chunky chips. Perfectly crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, they're a guilt-free, zero-oil snack you just can’t resist!

courgette fries in a basket with dipping sauces

With step-by-step instructions and a video tutorial, I'll show you how to make these easy, crispy vegetable fries in no time.

The easiest courgette fries recipe

These courgette fries are simply a delicious appetizer, vegetarian side dish, and fantastic snack. What I really love about this recipe is that it’s a great way to use all the extra summer courgette from the garden, plus any extra lying in the fridge. You will need less than 30 minutes from start to golden zucchini fries, with zero cooking time on the hob. Want to make courgettes without breading, I've got you covered with an easy vegan air fryer courgettes recipe.

To make crispy courgette fries in batches, all you need to do is dip the courgette sticks in egg, then in breadcrumbs, and air fry to perfection. This recipe uses NO OIL, and yet the fries are golden and crispy—without needing to deep fry.

Serve with your favorite dips. My favorite is Vegan Burger Sauce or Tomato Ketchup.

I make these fries in the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer (so sometimes I call them Instant Pot Zucchini Fries too!) or in the Instant Air Fryer Vortex 6-in-1. The result is perfect every single time.

Ingredients

You only need 5 Ingredients excluding salt & pepper to make these guilt-free snacks.

Zucchini or Courgette – I prefer buying similar-sized courgettes to make these fries, as it’s easier to cut them to uniform size. You can cut them into discs or sticks. When you have plenty - make creamy courgette curry!
Flour – Plain flour or all-purpose works well for this recipe. For low-carb courgette fries, use almond flour.
Egg – 1 large egg or 2 medium eggs will suffice. Beat them well with a fork or whisk and set aside. This is required for dredging the fries.
Breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs or golden breadcrumbs work well. I had golden breadcrumbs handy, so I used them.
Seasoning – I prefer Italian seasoning or mixed herbs for flavoring the breadcrumbs. For more flavor, you can also add garlic powder and paprika.
Salt & black pepper to taste!
Optional Ingredient – Parmesan cheese. If you like, use it in your breading mixture

Pro Tips to Make Courgette Fries

It’s extremely important to keep the thickness consistent for your fries. If courgettes are cut too thick, you may need to increase the air-frying time. If they’re cut too thin, courgette fries will be soft and soggy.
Pat the courgettes with a paper towel before breading: Courgettes have a high water content, and you want to dry them as much as possible.
While dredging, use one hand for wet ingredients and the other for dry ingredients. This prevents the breadcrumbs from becoming soggy.
Golden breadcrumbs are already flavored with paprika and turmeric. If you’re using panko breadcrumbs, season them well with turmeric, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Do not crowd the air fryer basket: Like any air fryer recipe, make sure there is space between the fries, and they are in a single layer, with no overlapping.

How to cut Courgettes for Courgette Fries?

To start with wash the Courgette and dry them with a towel.

Using a sharp knife, top and tail the courgette. Half the courgette further and then cut them vertically about ½ an inch thick. Stack them one above the other and then further slice into strips just like fries. Pat dry with a paper towel.

How to Make Courgette Fries (Zucchini Fries): Step by Step

Coat the courgette sticks in flour – Add the flour to the courgette sticks and mix with your fingers to coat them well.

Season the breadcrumb mixture – In a medium bowl, add breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, and ground black pepper. Use a fork to combine.

Prepare the dredging station with 3 bowls – One for the flour-coated courgette, one for beaten egg, and one for the breadcrumbs.

Dip the courgette sticks – Dredge the courgette sticks in the beaten egg, shaking off the excess, then coat them well in the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat with the remaining courgette sticks.

prepared courgette sticks for air frying

Layer in the air fryer basket – Arrange the courgette sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket or over two levels using the stainless steel layer that comes with the Duo Crisp + Air Fryer.

Air fry to perfection – Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes. Press start. Depending on the thickness of the courgette strips, you may need 7-10 minutes of air-frying time. Garnish with herbs just before serving if you like.

Serving Suggestions

Serve air fryer courgette fries with your favorite dipping sauce, such as boom boom sauce, vegan burger sauce, yogurt mint sauce, marinara, or ranch dressing.

For a refreshing twist, try dipping your crispy fries in cucumber raita or mint yogurt dip—they pair beautifully! Tomato ketchup also works well. My little one loves these fries with mayo and ketchup.

Storing Leftovers

These air fryer courgette fries disappear quickly at our home, but if you have leftovers, here’s how to keep them fresh and delicious!

In the fridge: Once cooled, place the courgette fries in an airtight container. They’ll keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer basket and air fry for 3-4 minutes.
I don’t recommend storing them in the freezer because courgettes have a high water content and tend to become soggy when defrosted.

courgette fries filled in the serving basket and ready to serve with mint sauce

Recipe FAQ's

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

The answer is no! You do not need to preheat the air fryer. However, cooking time for the dish may be slightly longer than when preheating. It also makes it easier to arrange your meal in the air fryer basket without the risk of getting burned.
If you decide to preheat the air fryer, the air frying time may be slightly shorter. I’ve tried many recipes where I used to preheat the air fryer, but honestly, I couldn’t justify it for many dishes.

Is Courgette Fries healthy?

Absolutely, they are healthy, especially if you switch to almond flour instead of plain flour and use panko breadcrumbs instead of golden breadcrumbs.

How do I reheat leftover courgette fries in the air fryer?

Pop the fries back into the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 180°C for 2-3 minutes. Once the cycle ends, remove the fries from the basket and serve hot.

How do I make courgette fries in the oven?

For baked courgette fries, first prepare the courgette sticks using the dredging technique. Line them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 28-30 minutes until golden brown. Avoid pulling them out too quickly, as baked zucchini fries can get soggy.

More easy Air fryer Vegetable recipes

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