These zucchini sticks are a great option for your next appetizer platter. Coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and air fried, they are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Serve with your favourite dip and enjoy.
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What are Zucchini Sticks?
You will often see zucchini sticks on restaurant menus. They are sometimes better known as zucchini fries or zoo sticks. There is a good reason they are so popular. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and make a great appetizer.
Most of the time you will find them deep fried, but we’ve chosen to air fry them instead. When they are air fried they have the same texture and crunch, but they are lighter and healthier. You also don’t have to worry about a pot full of hot oil.
I like to serve them with a bowl of dip, such as dill or ranch, but they’d be good with almost any dip. They are even delicious just as they are.
Why We Love This Recipe
Simple ingredients – You don’t need anything fancy to make these zucchini sticks. Just simple, inexpensive pantry ingredients.
It’s easy – This is an easy recipe to prepare. Just slice the zucchini, dip it in the breading and pop it in the air fryer.
It’s quick – These zucchini sticks come together quickly. With about 15 minutes of preparation and 10 minutes of cooking time they can be on your table in approximately 30 minutes.
Ingredients
The ingredients you will need to make crispy breaded zucchini sticks are:
- Fresh zucchini
- Flour
- Corn starch
- Eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Fine breadcrumbs
- Garlic powder
- Dried parsley
- Salt
I recommend using small zucchini, no more than an inch and a half diameter as they are more tender and have less seeds resulting in a nicer texture zucchini stick. If you are using large zucchini you will just need to make sure you slice them into sticks no more than ¾ inch thick.
If you are gluten free you can substitute gluten free all-purpose flour and gluten free breadcrumbs in this recipe with no issues.
Instructions
Slice the Zucchini
Start by slicing the ends off of the zucchini, then cut the zucchini in half crosswise. Next cut the zucchini in half lengthwise, then cut each piece in half lengthwise again. You will end up with 8 sticks per zucchini.
Bread the Zucchini
Mix the Panko Breadcrumbs, fine breadcrumbs, garlic powder, dries parsley and salt in a shallow bowl or plate.
In a separate shallow bowl whisk the eggs well. Add the flour and corn starch to a third shallow bowl or plate.
Bread the zucchini sticks by dipping each in the flour, followed by the egg, and finally the breadcrumb mixture making sure the sticks are fully coated. Then place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Air Fry the Zucchini
Spray the zucchini sticks lightly with olive oil spray then place the basket into the air fryer.
Set the air fryer to 380°F. Cook the zucchini for 10-12 minutes until golden, crispy, and the zucchini feels tender when you poke it with a fork.
Serving Suggestions
Zucchini sticks are most often served as an appetizer or snack. They will usually be served similar to fries in that they will be served alongside some sort of dipping sauce.
I generally like to have them with creamy dips like ranch dip or dill dip, but they are great served with hot dip such as marinara or pizza sauce as well.
Of course, they are also great on their own.
FAQS
It is easy to make these zucchini sticks gluten free. Just substitute the all purpose flour with a gluten free blend and be sure to select gluten free breadcrumbs.
It is no problem to prepare zucchini sticks ahead of time. After breading just place them on a baking sheet and keep them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook. Then add them to the air fryer and cook as directed.
More Air Fryer Appetizers and Snacks
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Printable Recipe
Air Fryer Breaded Zucchini Sticks
Ingredients
- 2 Medium zucchini approximately 1.5 inches diameter
- ⅓ Cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 large eggs
- ½ Cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- ⅓ Cup fine breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or coarse sea salt
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Cut the ends off the zucchini and discard. Then cut each zucchini in half crosswise.
- Cut each zucchini piece in half lengthwise, then cut each of those halves lengthwise again. You will end up with 8 sticks per zucchini.
- In a shallow bowl or plate mix the panko breadcrumbs, fine breadcrumbs, garlic powder, parsley and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs.
- In a third shallow bowl or plate mix the flour and cornstarch.
- Dip each zucchini stick in the flour mixture, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs making sure it is well coated.
- Place the zucchini sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray with olive oil spray.
- Place the basket in the air fryer, set the temperature to 380°F and cook for 10-12 minutes until the zuccini is crispy, golden and tender when pierced with a fork.
- Serve with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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