Light Crispy Zucchini Chips (Printable)

Thinly sliced zucchini air-fried with a crispy, flavorful breadcrumb coating for a light, healthy snack.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Coating

08 - 2 large eggs, beaten

→ Optional

09 - Olive oil spray

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
02 - Pat zucchini slices dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture.
03 - Combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a shallow bowl.
04 - Dip each zucchini slice into beaten eggs, then dredge in breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
05 - Place breaded zucchini slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket; optionally spray lightly with olive oil to enhance crispiness.
06 - Cook in batches for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
07 - Serve immediately as a snack or side accompaniment.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're crispy and crunchy without a drop of deep-fried guilt.
  • You can make a huge batch in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
  • They work as a snack, a side dish, or even a lazy dinner when you pair them with something else.
02 -
  • Skipping the drying step is the number one way to end up with steamed zucchini instead of crispy chips—I learned this the hard way on my second batch.
  • Don't overcrowd the basket; it's tempting, but your chips need room to breathe or they'll steam themselves instead of crisping up.
03 -
  • Slice your zucchini on a mandoline if you have one—it creates uniform thickness, which means everything cooks evenly instead of some pieces being done while others are still soft.
  • If you're making these gluten-free, double-check that your panko is certified; some brands sneak in wheat, and it's easy to miss if you're not looking.
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