Courgette in the Air Fryer
Courgette is mostly water, so it turns limp and soggy in a frying pan and in the oven. In the air fryer a coating of panko and parmesan crisps up while the courgette inside stays tender, in about 12 minutes. This air fryer courgette recipe makes crumbed fries for dipping, and there is a plain roasted method and timings for slices, fritters and a larger batch.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 27min
- Prep
- 15min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 240kcal
Why the air fryer works for courgette
Air fryer courgette is a good answer to a vegetable that is mostly water. In a pan or the oven, the moisture in courgette steams out into the coating and leaves it soft. In the air fryer, the fast-moving air carries that moisture away while the crumb dries and browns, so you get a coating that is actually crisp.
Courgette in air fryer baskets also needs a lot less oil than shallow-frying, only a light spray, and cooks in around 12 minutes. The method works for sticks, rounds and fritters, and also for plain courgette, which only needs seasoning and about 9 minutes. The main skill is keeping the surface dry and the pieces no thicker than 1 cm.
How to make courgette fries in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cut the fries Trim the courgettes and cut them in half across the middle, then into sticks about 1 cm thick and 7 cm long. Pat them dry with kitchen roll, because water stops the coating from sticking.
- Set up the coating Put the flour, salt and pepper in one shallow dish, the beaten eggs in a second, and the panko, parmesan, garlic granules and paprika in a third.
- Coat the courgette Roll each stick in the flour, dip it in the egg, then press it firmly into the crumb mixture. Place the coated sticks on a plate and chill them for if you have time, as this helps the crumb stay on.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 200 °C for , and spray the basket lightly with oil.
- Cook Lay the fries in a single layer, spray the tops with oil and cook for , turning them gently after , until deep golden and crisp. Cook in two batches if the basket is full.
- Serve Eat them straight away with a dip, such as garlic mayonnaise or a tomato sauce. They are crispest in the first .
Cooking times and temperatures
| Courgette | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Crumbed courgette friesTurn halfway | 200 °C | 10–12 min |
| Plain courgette slices, 1 cmShake halfway | 200 °C | 8–10 min |
| Thin courgette crispsTurn every 4 minutes | 160 °C | 12–15 min |
| Courgette frittersFlatten to 1.5 cm | 180 °C | 10–12 min |
| Frozen crumbed courgette fries | 200 °C | 12–14 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Choose small to medium courgettes. Large ones have a watery, seedy centre that makes the fries soft. Look for firm, glossy courgettes about 15–20 cm long.
- Salt first for the crispest result. Toss the sticks with ½ tsp salt, leave them in a colander for 10 minutes and pat them dry. This pulls out extra water.
- Do not overcrowd. Crumbed sticks that touch each other stick together and steam. Leave small gaps.
Serving
Serve the fries as a party snack (see more snacks) or as a side with hamburgers or chicken breast. A garlic mayonnaise or marinara sauce makes a good dip. For a vegetable plate, cook them alongside aubergine and carrots, and look at the vegetables page for more. Sliced halloumi cooks quickly alongside them.
Storing and reheating
Crumbed courgette fries are best eaten fresh, but leftovers keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat them, cook at 180 °C for 4–5 minutes, until they are steaming hot all the way through (75 °C) and crisp again. Do not microwave them, as they go soggy.
Variations
- Plain roasted courgette: Skip the coating and toss slices in oil, salt and garlic. Cook at 200 °C for 8–10 minutes. This version is vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free.
- Courgette fritters: Grate 2 courgettes, squeeze out the water and mix with an egg, 40 g plain flour, 50 g feta and chopped mint. Shape into patties and cook at 180 °C for 10–12 minutes.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free panko and cornflour in place of the flour and breadcrumbs.
Troubleshooting
- The coating falls off
- The courgette was wet. Dry the sticks well, press the crumbs on firmly and chill the coated sticks for 10 minutes before cooking. Do not shake the basket hard, but turn the fries with tongs.
- The fries are soggy inside
- Courgette releases a lot of water. Cut the sticks no thicker than 1 cm, cook them in a single layer and consider salting them for 10 minutes and patting them dry before coating.
- The crumb is pale and patchy
- It needs oil to brown. Spray the crumb lightly on every side before cooking and again after turning.
Frequently asked questions
How long do courgette fries take in an air fryer?
Crumbed fries 1 cm thick take 10–12 minutes at 200 °C, turned halfway. Uncoated courgette sticks need only 8–10 minutes at the same temperature.
How do you cook courgette in an air fryer without breading?
Cut slices 1 cm thick, toss them in 1 tbsp oil with salt and garlic, and cook at 200 °C for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway. They will be tender with golden edges, but not crisp.
Can you make zucchini chips in an air fryer?
Yes. Cut the courgette into thin 3 mm rounds, coat them lightly in oil and cook at 160 °C for 12–15 minutes, turning every 4 minutes. They crisp as they cool, but burn quickly, so watch them closely.
Can you cook courgettes in an air fryer from frozen?
Yes. Cook frozen crumbed courgette fries at 200 °C for 12–14 minutes, shaking halfway. Frozen plain courgette slices become soft, so they suit soups and sauces better than a side dish.
Should you peel courgette before air frying?
No. The skin is thin and tender, holds the pieces together and adds colour. Just wash it and trim the ends.
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