Air Fryer Zucchini Sticks
These crispy, cheesy zucchini sticks are a delicious and healthy snack, perfect for any occasion. The use of almond flour keeps them low-carb and keto-friendly, while the air fryer ensures they turn out perfectly golden without excessive oil.

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium zucchinis, grated
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup almond flour (or regular flour)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1/2 tsp Tony Chachere’s NO SALT blend (or your preferred seasoning blend)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray (for air fryer basket)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Zucchini:
    • Grate the zucchinis using a box grater or a food processor.
    • Place the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Removing excess moisture is essential to ensure the zucchini sticks turn out crispy.
  2. Mix the Ingredients:
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated zucchini, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, almond flour, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), Tony Chachere’s NO SALT blend, salt, and pepper.
    • Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined. The mixture should be thick enough to hold its shape when formed into sticks.
  3. Shape the Zucchini Sticks:
    • Take small handfuls of the zucchini mixture and shape them into sticks, about 3-4 inches long.
    • Ensure they are uniform in size for even cooking in the air fryer.
  4. Preheat the Air Fryer:
    • Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
  5. Air Fry the Zucchini Sticks:
    • Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
    • Place the zucchini sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
    • Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping the sticks halfway through cooking. They should be golden brown and crispy when done.

Serving Suggestions:

  • Serve the zucchini sticks warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as marinara, ranch, or garlic aioli.
  • For a low-carb option, pair them with a homemade keto-friendly dipping sauce.

Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):

  • Calories: 140 kcal
  • Total Fat: 10g
    • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 5g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Net Carbohydrates: 3g
  • Protein: 8g

Tips and Benefits:

Customizable: Adjust the seasoning to your taste, or try adding herbs like basil or oregano for a different flavor profile.

Low-Carb: Using almond flour keeps these zucchini sticks low in carbs, making them suitable for keto and other low-carb diets.

Cheesy Flavor: The combination of Parmesan and mozzarella gives these sticks a rich, cheesy flavor that’s hard to resist.

Crispy Texture: Properly squeezing out the moisture from the zucchini and using the air fryer ensures a crispy texture without the need for deep frying.