Garlic Herb Roasted Zucchini Air Fryer
Tender air-fried zucchini with golden edges and a savory garlic-herb seasoning cooks in just 10 minutes. This simple side uses minimal oil and basic pantry spices, delivering a flavorful, weeknight-friendly vegetable dish. Finish with Parmesan, red pepper flakes, or a squeeze of lemon for easy variations.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Sharp knife
- Mixing bowl
- Paper towels
- Olive oil spray mister
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini cut into 1/4-inch rounds or half-moons
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil; or use olive oil spray to lightly coat
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 minced garlic clove
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- kosher salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- grated Parmesan cheese optional, add during the last 2 minutes of cooking
- red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- lemon juice optional, add a squeeze after cooking
Instructions
- Slice zucchini into 1/4-inch rounds or half-moons, keeping thickness consistent for even cooking.
- Pat the slices completely dry with paper towels to remove surface moisture.
- Add zucchini to a mixing bowl. Lightly spray with olive oil or drizzle with the olive oil and toss to coat evenly.
- Season with garlic powder and Italian seasoning; toss again to distribute evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
- Arrange zucchini in a single layer in the nonstick air fryer basket without overlapping.
- Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes; no need to shake or flip.
- Check for tender centers and golden brown edges; add up to 2 more minutes if needed.
- Season immediately with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- Optional: top with grated Parmesan, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice while hot.
Notes
- Dry the zucchini thoroughly and cook in a single layer to prevent soggy results.
- Quarter-inch thickness is the sweet spot for even cooking and caramelized edges.
- If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at 8 minutes; add up to 2 minutes if pieces are still pale.
- Add Parmesan during the last 2 minutes so it melts and lightly crisps without burning.
- Mix yellow squash with zucchini for a color and flavor variation; use the same time and temperature.
- Preheating the air fryer helps the zucchini roast instead of steam.
- Serve immediately for best texture; leftovers soften as they sit.