Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Chips (Printable Version)
Golden air-fried zucchini slices with savory panko crust.
# Ingredient List:
→ Zucchini Chips
01 - 2 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch thick)
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
06 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - Olive oil spray
→ Ranch Dip
11 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
12 - 1/2 cup sour cream
13 - 2 tablespoons buttermilk (or milk)
14 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
15 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
16 - 1 teaspoon dried dill
17 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
18 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
19 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
20 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
21 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Lay the zucchini slices on a paper towel, sprinkle with kosher salt, and let sit for 10 minutes. Pat dry thoroughly.
02 - Arrange three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
03 - Dredge each zucchini slice in flour, dip into beaten eggs, then coat evenly in the breadcrumb mixture.
04 - Place coated zucchini slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray with olive oil.
05 - Air fry at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
06 - Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, parsley, chives, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice in a bowl and mix until smooth.
07 - Serve hot zucchini chips alongside the ranch dip.
# Tips from hearthlykitchen:
01 -
- They're actually crispy on the outside and tender inside, not rubbery or greasy like breaded zucchini usually turns out.
- The homemade ranch tastes nothing like bottled dressing, and it's so simple you'll wonder why you ever bought the packet.
- Twelve minutes of cooking time means you can make these while setting the table or mixing drinks.
02 -
- Skipping the salting step is the most common reason these end up soggy instead of crispy—that ten minutes of salt-drawing really does matter.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; they need space to circulate or you'll get one side crispy and one side pale.
- If your panko coating slides off in the air fryer, your zucchini slices were still too wet after patting—extra time on the paper towel helps.
03 -
- A mandoline slicer makes uniform 1/8-inch slices way faster than a knife, and uniform thickness means everything cooks at the same rate.
- Panko breadcrumbs toast and crisp better if you mix them with the other seasonings five minutes before breading—it helps them adhere and brown faster in the air fryer.
- Greek yogurt works as a sour cream substitute in the ranch if you want it lighter, but it makes the dip a bit thinner, so add less buttermilk.