Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Chips: Your Ultimate 2-Ingredient Keto, Gluten-Free Snack

Say goodbye to boring snacks and hello to these incredibly crunchy, flavorful air fryer zucchini chips! Requiring just two simple ingredients, this recipe transforms humble zucchini into an irresistible treat perfect for any time of day. Whether you’re following a ketogenic, gluten-free, or low-carb diet, or simply looking for a healthier alternative to traditional potato chips, these zucchini chips are a game-changer. They are astonishingly easy to whip up, offering a satisfying crunch and savory taste that will quickly make them a staple in your snack rotation.

Close up of perfectly golden-brown air fried zucchini chips on a white plate with a small bowl of dipping sauce — Enjoying a plate of freshly made, crispy air fryer zucchini chips with your favorite dip makes for a delightful snack.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

There’s a lot to love about these simple zucchini chips, making them a fantastic addition to any healthy eating plan:

Incredibly Easy: With only two core ingredients and minimal prep, you can have a batch of crispy chips ready in under 20 minutes.
Diet-Friendly: They are naturally keto, gluten-free, and low-carb, fitting perfectly into various dietary needs without compromising on flavor or texture.
Healthy Alternative: Swap out calorie-dense, fried snacks for these nutrient-packed zucchini chips, which are baked in the air fryer to perfection with minimal oil.
Versatile Flavor: While delicious on their own, these chips serve as a blank canvas for various seasonings and dipping sauces.
Satisfying Crunch: The air fryer works magic, creating an amazingly crispy texture that rivals traditional deep-fried chips.

The Magic of Zucchini: Nutritional Benefits

Zucchini, a summer squash, is not only versatile in cooking but also incredibly beneficial for your health. It’s low in calories and carbohydrates, yet rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. A single medium zucchini provides a good source of Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that supports immune health, and Vitamin B6, which plays a role in metabolism. It’s also packed with potassium, crucial for blood pressure regulation, and manganese, vital for bone health and metabolism. Furthermore, zucchini has a high water content, contributing to hydration, and contains fiber, which aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness. This makes it an ideal vegetable for weight management and overall wellness.

Essential Ingredients for Your Zucchini Chips

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need two stars for these delicious chips:

Zucchini: Choose firm, medium-sized zucchini. Look for ones with smooth, unblemished skin. While any size works, medium zucchini are generally easier to slice uniformly, which is key for even cooking.
Parmesan Cheese: Finely grated Parmesan cheese works best as it adheres well to the zucchini slices and creates a crispy, savory crust. You can use pre-grated or grate your own for a fresher taste. For a dairy-free or vegan option, nutritional yeast can be a wonderful substitute, offering a similar cheesy flavor.

Optional Flavor Boosters:

While zucchini and Parmesan create a delicious chip, don’t hesitate to experiment with additional seasonings to customize the flavor profile:

Garlic powder
Onion powder
Smoked paprika
Italian seasoning blend
A pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick
Salt and freshly ground black pepper (add sparingly if Parmesan is already salty)

How To Make Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

Follow these straightforward steps to achieve perfectly crispy zucchini chips every time:

Prepare the Zucchini: Begin by washing your zucchini thoroughly. Using a mandoline slicer or a very sharp knife, carefully slice the zucchini into rounds approximately a quarter-inch thick. Uniformity in thickness is crucial for even cooking and optimal crispness. Aim for slices that are thin enough to get crispy but thick enough to hold their shape. After slicing, lay the zucchini rounds on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and gently blot them dry. Removing excess moisture is a critical step for achieving maximum crunch.
Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the zucchini chips in your air fryer basket or on the racks in a single layer. It’s important not to overcrowd the air fryer, as this can lead to steaming rather than crisping. If necessary, work in batches to ensure each chip has enough space for proper air circulation. A light spray of cooking oil (optional) can help with crispiness and cheese adhesion, though it’s not strictly required.
Season with Parmesan: Evenly sprinkle a thin layer of grated Parmesan cheese over the zucchini chips. Make sure to cover each chip generously, as the cheese will melt and form a delicious, crispy coating. Press lightly to help the cheese adhere if desired.
Air Fry to Perfection: Cook the zucchini chips in the air fryer at 370º F (185º C) for 12 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time (around the 6-minute mark), gently shake the basket or flip the chips using tongs to ensure even browning and crispness. Continue cooking until the cheese is dark golden brown and the zucchini chips are wonderfully crispy. Cooking times can vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your zucchini slices, so keep a close eye on them.

Air fryer zucchini chips cooling on a white plate after cooking, showing their crisp texture — Allowing the chips to cool slightly after cooking will further enhance their crispiness.

Chef’s Tips for the Crispiest Zucchini Chips

Achieving that perfect crunch requires a few insider tips:

Precision Slicing is Key: Invest in a mandoline slicer if you don’t already have one. It creates consistent, uniform slices effortlessly. If using a knife, take your time to ensure all slices are roughly the same thickness (about a quarter-inch). Inconsistent slices will cook unevenly, resulting in some burnt and some soggy chips.
Don’t Skimp on Drying: Zucchini contains a lot of water. After slicing, it’s absolutely crucial to pat the slices thoroughly dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth. The less moisture on the zucchini, the crispier your chips will be. You can even let them air dry for 10-15 minutes after patting for extra moisture removal.
Avoid Overcrowding Your Air Fryer: This is arguably the most important tip. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food. If the basket is too full, air cannot circulate properly, leading to steamed instead of crispy chips. Cook in multiple batches if necessary, allowing enough space between each zucchini slice.
Monitor Cooking Closely: Every air fryer model heats differently, and even slight variations in zucchini thickness can alter cooking times. Especially when making these for the first time, check your chips frequently, perhaps every 3-4 minutes after the initial 6-minute mark. Look for a deep golden-brown color on the cheese and a firm, crispy texture.
Achieve Optimal Browning: The Parmesan cheese is your indicator. You want it to be dark brown, almost caramelized, for the best flavor and crunch. If it’s only lightly golden, the chips may still be a bit soft.
Cooling for Crispness: Zucchini chips tend to get even crispier as they cool. Once they’re done cooking, transfer them to a wire rack. This allows air to circulate around them, preventing condensation and helping them reach peak crispness.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

These air fryer zucchini chips are delicious on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with various dips and can be customized with different seasonings:

Perfect Pairings:

Dipping Sauces: Serve with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, garlic aioli, Greek yogurt dip, or even a simple balsamic glaze.
Side Dish: They make a fantastic low-carb side dish for grilled chicken, fish, or burgers.
Soup Topper: Crush them lightly and use them as a crunchy topping for creamy soups.
Salad Crunch: Add them to your favorite salad for an unexpected burst of flavor and texture.

Creative Variations:

Spicy Zucchini Chips: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes along with the Parmesan cheese.
Cheesy Garlic Herb Chips: Mix garlic powder, dried oregano, and a touch of basil with the Parmesan before sprinkling.
“Everything Bagel” Zucchini Chips: Use everything bagel seasoning instead of or in addition to the Parmesan cheese for a unique savory flavor.
Smoked Paprika & Cumin: For an earthy, smoky twist, sprinkle with smoked paprika and a tiny bit of cumin.

Storage and Reheating Tips

While best enjoyed fresh, you can store leftover air fryer zucchini chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To re-crisp them, simply place them back in the air fryer at 350º F (175º C) for 2-4 minutes, or until they regain their crunch.

More Delicious & Easy Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed these healthy and easy zucchini chips, be sure to explore these other fantastic recipes from our collection:

Keto Fries: A guilt-free way to enjoy a classic comfort food.
Bacon Chips (Keto): Crispy, savory, and perfect for a low-carb snack.
Avocado Chips: Another unique and healthy air fryer chip option.
Simple Asian Cucumber Salad: A refreshing and vibrant side dish.
Slow Cooker Pinto Beans: A hearty and flavorful staple for any meal.

We truly hope you loved this incredibly simple yet satisfying recipe as much as we did! Your feedback means a lot to us. We’d love for you to give us a star ★ rating below and share your creations with us on Instagram. For even more delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make recipes, be sure to check out our sister site, 40 Aprons, and Easy Cheap Recipes.

Rating: 4.67 out of 5 from 3 votes

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 17 minutes

These easy, healthy zucchini chips are so simple to make with only 2 ingredients and are perfect for a keto, gluten-free, or low-carb snack.

Author: Cheryl Malik

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Yields: 1 serving (adjustable)

Ingredients

1 medium zucchini
½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Equipment

Air Fryer
Mandoline slicer or sharp knife (optional but recommended)

Instructions

Slice the zucchini into rounds about a quarter inch thick. Lay the slices on a clean kitchen towel and gently pat them dry to remove excess moisture. Place the chips in the air fryer basket or on the rack in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
Sprinkle a thin, even layer of grated Parmesan cheese over the zucchini chips, making sure to cover them completely. Cook for 12 minutes at 370º Fahrenheit (185º C), flipping or shaking the basket halfway through, or until the cheese is dark brown and the chips are crispy.

Notes

Cook time: Air fryer models vary. Check chips halfway through cooking time (around 6 minutes) to ensure they do not burn. Adjust cooking time as needed until chips are golden brown and crispy.
Cutting: For best results and uniform crispiness, use a mandoline slicer or a very sharp knife to cut zucchini into even slices.
Drying: Patting the zucchini dry before cooking is crucial for removing excess moisture and achieving maximum crispness.

Nutrition Information

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.