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These Parmesan Zucchini Sticks are one of those air fryer recipes that’ll make you forget you’re eating vegetables. They’re crispy, cheesy, and dunkable — what more could you want?
We’ve made them for everything from game-day snacks to quick veggie sides on busy weeknights. They come out golden and crunchy in the air fryer, no deep frying required.
The combo of breadcrumbs and Parmesan gives these zucchini sticks an ultra-satisfying crust, while the inside stays tender and just the right amount of juicy. Plus, they’re ready in about 8 minutes at 375°F, so they’re as fast as they are tasty.
Dip them in warm marinara or ranch and you’ve got yourself a veggie snack that everyone actually wants to eat. Let’s get cooking!
🥕 Ingredients Overview
Here’s what you’ll need to make these cheesy, crispy veggie sticks:
- Zucchini – One large or two medium. Slice into uniform sticks for even cooking. Don’t peel — the skin helps hold its shape.
- Egg – Acts as the binding agent so the breadcrumbs and cheese stick.
- Breadcrumbs – Panko or regular breadcrumbs both work. Panko gives a crispier finish.
- Grated Parmesan cheese – Adds salty, cheesy crunch. Go for freshly grated if you can.
- Seasonings – Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper give the coating extra flavor.
- Cooking spray or oil – Helps achieve that golden finish in the air fryer.
Prep Tips:
- Pat zucchini dry after cutting to help the coating stick.
- Mix breadcrumbs and Parmesan in a shallow dish for easy coating.
- Beat the egg in a separate bowl to dip before dredging.
Substitutions:
- Gluten-free? Use GF breadcrumbs.
- Dairy-free? Try nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
- Want low-carb? Use almond flour and Parmesan mix instead of breadcrumbs.
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut zucchini into sticks about 3–4 inches long and 1/2 inch thick.
- Set up dredging stations: Beat egg in one bowl. In another, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the sticks: Dip each zucchini stick into egg, then into the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture. Press gently to help it stick.
- Arrange in air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Pro Tip: Don’t crowd the basket — work in batches for max crisp.
- Air fry at 375°F for 8 minutes, flipping halfway. They should be golden and crispy.
- Serve hot with a side of marinara, ranch, or your favorite dip!
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Cutting zucchini too thick or thin — uneven sizes cook unevenly.
- Not patting dry — wet zucchini can make coating slide off.
- Skipping the flip — they won’t crisp evenly.
- Overcrowding the air fryer — results in soggy sides.
- Letting them sit too long after cooking — best served hot and crisp!
🎨 Variations & Add-Ons
- Low-carb: Skip breadcrumbs and use almond flour + Parmesan instead.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed GF crackers.
- Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or crushed red pepper to the coating.
- Extra cheesy: Mix in shredded mozzarella to the breadcrumb blend.
- Herb swap: Try smoked paprika or lemon zest for a fun flavor twist.
- Kid-friendly: Serve with ketchup or ranch to win them over.
📦 Make Ahead & Storage
You can prep the zucchini sticks ahead of time — slice and store in the fridge (wrapped in paper towels) up to a day ahead.
Want to freeze? Bread the sticks and freeze in a single layer until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen at 375°F for 10–12 minutes.
Leftovers? Store cooled sticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes to crisp them back up.
🥗 Nutrition Highlights
Each zucchini stick is approximately 25–35 calories, depending on size and coating.
Air Fryer Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- Cut zucchini into uniform sticks.
- Set up dredging stations: egg in one bowl, breadcrumb mix in another.
- Dip zucchini in egg, then breadcrumb mix.
- Place in air fryer basket, spray lightly with oil.
- Air fry 8 minutes at 375°F, flipping halfway.
- Serve hot with marinara or your favorite dip.
Notes
- For low-carb, use almond flour and Parmesan.
- For gluten-free, use GF breadcrumbs.
- Freeze prepped sticks; cook from frozen at 375°F for 10–12 minutes.
- Store leftovers up to 3 days; reheat to crisp.
These parmesan zucchini sticks are one of those recipes that makes healthy snacking feel indulgent. Whether you serve them with marinara, ranch, or even a creamy garlic dip, they always go fast. I’d love to see how yours turn out — tag me or drop a comment! And if you’re on a veggie kick, try my air fryer sweet potato fries next — crispy, salty, and just a little sweet.
